What is a sustainable home?

The term ‘sustainable home’ is seen a lot these days, but what exactly makes a sustainable home is not always completely clear. There are various defining features applied to this term, and we’ve taken a closer look at them for the purposes of this blog.

Energy efficiency

One of the key aspects of sustainable homes is energy efficiency. Simply put, this means how efficiently a property makes use of gas and electric, and the more energy-efficient a home is, the more efficiently it will consume fuel sources.

There are many methods homeowners and housebuilders can use to make homes more energy-efficient. These include improving double and triple glazed units with warm edge spacer bars, loft and wall insulation, solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable energy sources.

Sustainable building materials

The process of going from raw material to finished installed product consumes a lot of energy, so the energy used over the building material’s lifespan also has a big impact on a property’s sustainability. Sustainable homes make use of more durable materials, which reduces the cost to the environment and the homeowner of replacing them.

The products in use might also be recyclable, locally-sourced or from sustainable sources, as this also reduces environmental impact.

The materials used to construct a home also have a big influence on a property’s energy-efficiency. So, using materials with good thermal properties like wood and brick is also important.

Insulation

How well a property is insulated is directly tied into how energy-efficient it is. Homes that have better thermal insulation are more effective at retaining heat. So, when properties are consuming energy to fuel a heating system, they can consume less fuel to keep the property and its residents warm.

Our warm edge spacer bars have been specifically designed for the purpose of reducing heat loss from windows and better insulating homes.

However, if windows are fitted without proper insulation at the edge, they may not be achieving the full energy-saving benefits.

Products like TruFit compressed foam installation tape expands to effectively seal and insulate all gaps and spaces between the frame and wall. This ensures consistent weather protection, air tightness, thermal performance and draught elimination.

Reducing electricity consumption

Sustainable homes often utilise a host of innovative measures for reducing the amount of electricity they consume. This includes renewable energy sources like solar panels, biomass heaters and wind turbines to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

Residents of sustainable homes might also take an active role in reducing the amount of electricity they use. Such measures can include using smart meters, not leaving appliances on standby and washing their clothes at a lower temperature, although there are many others.

Minimising waste and water consumption

Minimising waste is another key feature of living sustainably. This can be achieved by avoiding single-use plastics, recycling where possible, upcycling furniture, and buying items second-hand.

In addition to minimising waste, sustainable homes will also try to reduce their water consumption. Rainwater harvesting is one to save water, but other measures include reducing shower times, only using the dishwasher when it’s full and turning off the tap when brushing teeth.

If you’re interested to learn how Edgetech products can help you create a more sustainable home, give us a call on 02476 639931 or contact us online.