Building a House with a Low Carbon Footprint

Judging the angle of the sun, measuring rainfall, and choosing energy efficient materials are all tools of the trade for architects wanting to reduce the carbon footprint of a new build. These choices all contribute to the final environmental impact of the house on the surrounding area and determine how much energy is required to live in it comfortably.

Earth-friendly home design works best in houses of 1,000-3,000 square feet because the modest size makes a massive impact on heating, cooling, and water usage. Once you’ve designed an updated, modern home that complies with conservation efforts, the next step is to be sure to situate it correctly on the building site.

Research has shown utilities are as much as 20% of a homeowner’s income. Thoughtful architects limit utility costs by carefully measuring the impact of light on the living conditions, then using landscaping and materials to mitigate potential conflicts.

Careful site placement of an eco-friendly house will maximize the cost savings and minimize the carbon footprint.

Adjusting Brightness

Australians lead the rest of the world with their eco-friendly building techniques that limit heat and maximise water resources. The temperate climate zones and extreme sunlight have led to advances in harnessing the power of the sun.

Incorporating south facing windows into an open floor plan provides natural light without the consequence of heat. Pergolas, trees, and UV film can be used to block direct sunlight that contributes to energy use while allowing the natural light through. Harnessing indirect sunlight while avoiding heat lowers the homeowners need for artificial lighting. Additional solutions like motion sensors that only light occupied rooms and eco-friendly light bulbs further reduce energy consumption.

Expert Design

The use of prefabricated modules to build houses has led to a decrease in wasted materials. The manufacturing process is more precise than traditional building methods, which results in less overage. When manufactured at a factory with high-quality control, the precisely fitted components are also less likely to leak cooled air through joints.

A precision engineering process creates a durable and strong product with limited maintenance requirements. The use of renewable materials and maximum insulation further cuts the carbon footprint.

Add More Green

New building projects are perfect for incorporating rainwater collection systems. Site location includes determining proper placement of tanks and plumbing for greywater systems.

Well-placed trees and shrubs will provide shade for your new dwelling while an outdoor irrigation system will minimize the guesswork of water usage. Integrated water sensors conserve water and sensors limit watering to comply with water conservation laws. Integrate an automated irrigation control to measure rainfall capture and usage.  

Situate your house for optimal savings

Carefully choosing a builder that can customise your home to use the features of your site to the best advantage can dramatically limit the waste generated during the build. More importantly, site optimisation limits the ongoing impact of the house on its surroundings.

A detailed, eco-friendly design combined with thoughtful placement on the intended home site results in the ultimate earth-friendly home.