How to Build an Eco-Friendly Home

 **Collaborative Post**

AD: We all want to look after the environment right? After all, we all live in it and want it to be here for years and years to come for our children etc. But often being more eco-friendly can seem more expensive and as many of us are feeling the pinch and looking at ways we can all save money. Things such as foregoing luxury items, cutting back, and looking at the day to days things we do and how we can save. But have you ever considered that your home could be more eco-friendly and cost-effective? Eco-friendly homes allow you to benefit from keeping the home warm and more cost-effective than before. It gives your home much-needed transportation to the future, and while it can be a little costly to prepare at first, there is a lot of benefit in the long run to your costs and support.

Here are some ways you can build an eco-friendly home to live happily. 

Invest in more insulation 

Insulation is a great resource that can keep your home warm in the colder months and chilled in the hotter months. It’s the best way to line your walls to ensure none of the heat inside your home can escape and the cold can't get in either! This in turn will ensure you don’t need to turn on your heaters as often as you used to as your home will be much better at regulating a temperature. There are several different options to choose from when it comes to insulation for both the walls and the loft cavity spaces, some of which are definitely more eco-friendly than others so make sure you shop around before making a decision.

Look into rain harvesting 

If you live in the UK then you know how much it rains year after year and whilst it can be a bit of a pain, why not put it to good use?. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, it could be a good time to look into a rain harvester, which collects the rainwater and is then filtered out to be used normally in your water supply. It’s a fantastic way to cut back on your water bill, as well as find a good way of reducing the amount of water build-up surrounding your home on those rainy days, its a win win.

Check your foundations 

While pile foundation design or anything to do with the building work in fact might not be your strong suit, a good set of foundations that aren’t too dry or too moist will help stop the underneath from moving as much. If you are loooking to build your own home, this is definitely something to discuss with your builder before you begin. Doing this reduces the number of cracks and leaks that can occur around your home that would then in time need replacing. You could also take a look at the surroundings of your foundations to see if there are ways you might need to tend to your lawn or the groundwork, this not only ensure they stay strong and healthy but this benefits the environment if you keep an eye on it regularly. 

Use recycled building materials

 

When building your own home there are a lot of things to consider but one of the main things to think about when planning your build is what materials you will be using, their cost and where you will source them from. If you are looking to build a more eco friendly home try to source more local materials or even use recycled building materials which can really help cut down costs on your build too.

Allow for as much natural light as possible

The great thing about building your own home is you get to decide where everything is, and when it comes to the windows it is definitely not a case of less is more, think more windows, more light and more space! Allowing additional day light into your home will not only make it feel more open, bright and warm but will mean you won't have to have the lights on all the time in your home either. You could even add skylights for extra light. Just remember though that glazing isn't as insulating as the walls of your home so you will need to find a good balance. 

There are many ways you can help keep your home free of issues while also benefiting your bank balance and the planet. Take a look into your house features today to see which will help your home become an eco-paradise. 

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