Green Living: How to Create a Low-Impact Home with Sustainable Design Principles
By Gordon Chalk and Alan Houghton of Next Level, dedicated to bringing warmth and comfort to every home in Scotland.
Now more than ever, the effects of climate change need to be combatted. In fact, just recently in July 2024, 13.8% of the world’s surface had a record-high temperature for that month, exceeding 2023’s July by almost ⅕. Due to statistics like this, living more sustainably has become vital.
One of the ways you can do this is by living in a low-impact home. These are special properties designed to minimise environmental effects and enhance energy efficiency. By knowing the right eco-friendly solutions to introduce into your living space, you can make your own home have a lower impact and start living more sustainably.
Below, we will delve into how you can adopt sustainable design principles that will transform your home into a more eco-conscious space, not only helping the planet but your future as well.
What are sustainable design principles?
Sustainable design principles are integral to achieving buildings and spaces with a diminished environmental impact and increased resource efficiency. These principles entail energy efficiency, use of renewable materials, waste reduction and water conservation. Following these routine processes will minimise energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
Sustainable buildings have been found to reduce energy use by 50% compared with conventional buildings. Utilising sustainable materials means fewer resources must be extracted or waste created. Of course, this is good for the environment and can lead to longer-term cost savings (and better indoor quality). If we treat sustainable design right, it is the key to a greener future.
Photo by Aubrey Odom on Unsplash
Core principles
The main core sustainable design principles include the following:
- Energy efficiency
- Use of renewable resources
- Reduction of waste
- Water conservation
- Improve indoor air quality
These are the things we’ll be focusing on in this article.
Energy efficiency in the home
Insulation and building envelope
One of the main energy efficiency principles is insulation. If a building is not properly insulated, energy consumption shoots up to the sky due to heat losses during winter and gains in summer. Meanwhile, almost all of the insulation materials used in low-impact homes—cellulose and sheep’s wool with 80-90 per cent recycled content among them—are sustainable. Creating a ‘building envelope’ with this insulation decreases the demand for traditional heating and cooling systems, leading to lesser energy costs and less CO2 emitted by your property.
Windows and doors
Additionally, windows and doors insulated with double or triple glazing are also more energy-efficient. They help to block heat transfer, reduce drafts, and enhance overall comfort. These windows and doors are known to prevent drafts, lower energy bills while keeping a very steady indoor climate, and result in less frequent need and heat/cool cycles.
Underfloor heating
Underfloor heating is an alternative (and more sustainable) form of heating your home, especially in cold climates such as Scottish areas like Edinburgh and Glasgow. Compared to traditional methods such as radiators, it allows for more even heat distribution and can save more energy when paired with a smart thermostat to control temperatures. Always ensure you use a trained professional for installation, paired with a layer of cement screed, for the best results.
Sustainable materials and products
Eco-friendly building materials
Energy efficient materials include reclaimed wood, bamboo, and recycled metal and glass, which often come from natural resources and provide sustainable alternatives to traditional construction products. The use of reclaimed timber prevents deforestation, bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource, and recycled materials keep waste down. While minimising your environmental footprint, these construction materials also bring an exciting look to your residential space.
Low-impact finishes and furnishings
One of the best sustainable solutions is the use of non-toxic paints, sustainable fabrics, and eco-friendly finishes, which help encourage better indoor air quality while also decreasing environmental concerns. The more sustainable, non-toxic paints do not contain harmful chemicals that can affect air quality, and sustainable fabric textiles are made from sources which have a low environmental impact. In addition, finishes are kept eco-friendly with zero-VOC or water-based options to reduce pollution. These selections create a greener home which promotes sustainable living and green building practices.
Certification labels
Labelling with certifications like LEED, BREEAM, or FSC helps you recognise that products and practices fulfil certain high environmental standards. LEED and BREEAM similarly assess a building’s sustainability by promoting the effective use of energy, efficient utility consumption, and impact on the environment. Wood comes from sustainably managed forests that are FSC-certified. This allows you to choose materials and techniques that relate back to those sustainable design principles.
Water conservation strategies
Efficient water fixtures
Low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets use less water. These fixtures are also engineered to be water efficient while, at the same time, maintaining performance for optimal sustainability. Great examples are low-flow showerheads that can reduce water usage by up to 60% and more efficient toilets that save each flush from wasting too much fresh water, which will reduce impacts on your monthly bill and a smaller carbon footprint for our planet.
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rain, which can be used for several purposes, such as irrigation or flushing toilets. In addition to providing your garden with suitable watering patterns, the system also reduces dependence on municipal water supplies and minimises expenditure on water bills. Implementing a rainwater collection system involves installing gutters, downspouts, and storage tanks. The filtered water that can be used afterwards will save on consumption and lead to greater sustainability in your home.
Greywater recycling
This means reclaiming water from sinks, showers, and washing machines for non-potable purposes like irrigation or, to a lesser extent, toilet flushing. It helps reduce the pressure on freshwater supplies and water treatment costs. Greywater filtering and redirection help save water, reduce waste, and optimise overall home performance. It’s a practical approach to sustainable living.
Reducing waste and improving recycling
Waste reduction techniques
Start employing waste reduction strategies like composting, limiting single-use plastics and buying in bulk to reduce the volume of trash your household produces dramatically. Composting refers to the decomposition of organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, into rich soil. Avoiding single-use plastics, which cause a negative environmental impact through reusable bags, containers, and bottles, helps reduce plastic waste. Lessen the environmental load of your shopping by only buying what you will use because, presumably, you will throw out half or more perishable items that never got used within days after purchase.
Recycling programs
If we were to recycle effectively and participate better in our local recycling programs, less waste would be sent to landfills, and resources could be saved. Proper sorting of recyclables means that materials like paper, glass, and metals can be recycled into new products. Learning your local recycling programs and rules is key to successful recycling efforts. Participating in community recycling programs further establishes a sense of shared responsibility, reinforcing the importance of daily sustainable habits.
Upcycling and repurposing
There are so many creative ways to reduce waste while giving new life to old/unused household items via upcycling and repurposing. Upcycle items instead of throwing them away. Repurposing household items, such as restoring old furniture with new paint jobs or making craft supplies easier to access from glass jars, are both great options and create sustainable products. Upcycling does not only help with recycling—it offers design strategies to decorate your home with a personal touch!
Enhancing indoor environmental quality
Ventilation and air quality
Good ventilation is the key to healthy indoor air quality, as it helps rid your home of pollutants, allergens and excess humidity. Adequate airflow can prevent respiratory problems and the growth of mould. Air purifiers work to improve air quality in the home by trapping dust and pet dander. Houseplants are also helpful as they purify the air naturally by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen in return, which makes your living environment healthier.
Natural lighting
Utilising natural light in your house not only saves energy but affects the people living there too. Natural light aids in regulating your circadian rhythms, keeping you happy and alert. During the daytime, home designs that take full advantage of natural light can save about 75% on lighting energy. Windows, skylights and mirrors can help bring in more natural light. Combining natural lighting with energy-saving light sources like LED bulbs or solar panels (for electricity) guarantees a good building performance in terms of lighting. At the same time, its environmental impact and cost to you are kept at a lower minimum.
Conclusion
To create and live in a low-impact home, you need to follow the core principles we have just gone through. While you don’t need to implement every idea we have given you, it’s always a good idea to use as many as possible to reduce the effects of climate change.
Instead of trying to do everything at once, start with small, manageable changes. Explore the eco-friendly options that are more accessible to you for now, such as using durable materials or trying to conserve water, and consult with an expert who might be able to provide some guidance. Over time, you’ll no doubt be following all the sustainable design principles seamlessly.
Author bio
With over 25 years in the industry, Gordon Chalk and Alan Houghton, the founders of Next Level, deliver top-notch service, professional advice around underfloor heating and floor screeding and peace of mind in every project. Since 2006, their expertise in major developments and screeding ensures comfortable, energy-efficient solutions and reliable advice for all people they speak and work with.
Alan Houghton & Gordon Chalk
Managing Directors
Next Level Underfloor Heating And Screed Solutions
Perth, Scotland
https://www.nextlevelufhs.co.uk