Also, as previously mentioned, materials should be durable to avoid the cost to your pocket and to the environment of replacing them. We try to use sustainably sourced timbers, recycled or locally sourced materials, and low volatile organic compounds VOC finishes. Bricks and concrete most often give the best results. Windows and glazed doors can be a major leak of heat, in and out. How much glass your home has, and where those windows and doors are situated, can have a huge impact on this and is an important consideration at the planning stage.
For a design featuring lots of glass, a popular choice with many, we would recommend double glazing to maintain the advantages passive design. Due to the demand in fast fashion, there can be a large amount sent to landfill each month. In it was reported that around , tons of clothes were sent to landfill in the UK. To reduce your impact in this area consider donating your clothes to a charity shop and pick up some great pieces at affordable prices. Most paintings commonly used for decorating are made from oils and chemicals that are not very environmentally friendly and harder to dispose of.
By switching to a water-based alternative you will be reducing your carbon footprint and cutting down on the chemicals in your home. By investing in energy-efficient tech like light bulbs, taps, showerheads, and smart metres, can help lower your bills. Also, draught-proof your home ahead of winter by filling in the gaps between your doors, windows and chimney. Local DIY stores can help advise on what will work best for your property, take some pictures along too.
Which in a tiny home — is huge! By switching to low-flow toilets, a family of four can save up to 13, gallons of water a year. According to Energy Star , switching to a 2. Check out my full guide on saving money on your water bill in the bathroom. Speaking of water, one of my dreams is to install a grey water system. Greywater systems filter the water that comes from your washing machine and shower so it can be reclaimed and reused.
Greywater is most commonly used for irrigation but it can also be hooked up to flush toilets because why on earth are we using clean, drinking water for that? Did you know, according to the NRDC , lawns consume nearly 3 trillion gallons of water a year, million gallons of gas for all that mowing , and 70 million pounds of pesticides?
Instead, why not switch things up a bit? And, a great way to make your outdoor space more eco-friendly is to grow your own food. Try planting a fruit tree or a veggie box. In the s the US Department of Agriculture estimated more than 20 million victory gardens produced million tons of produce which was equal to commercial production! Walls, for example, will use a lot of any given material, while smaller fittings and fixtures are likely to have far less of an impact.
Also consider whether or not different parts of your house will be able to be recycled if and when your house reaches the end of its life. The house's general orientation and which parts are faced towards the sun makes all the difference - solar access i. For passive design to be truly effective, it requires a tight building envelope and excellent insulation to ensure that the climate inside the house is separated from the climate outside.
Energy efficient appliances, plumbing fixtures and lifestyle considerations also play a big role in operational energy use, as does the size of your family, and how you plan to make use of things like compost, rain water and waste. The possibilities here are limitless — compost bins, rainwater tanks, biolytic toilets - there are a million different ways to reduce and reuse waste.
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