How to build a more sustainable home
We designed this Surrey cottage with a timber framed construction, which has low embodied carbon and allows for a really well insulated, airtight home.
We all understand the need to live more sustainable lives, but it can feel overwhelming at times.
The good news is there are many things you can do when renovating or building a home to make a change for the better. We’re here to help demystify the process, so read on to discover some of the key ways we help our clients prioritise sustainability in their projects.
Brighter days ahead with renewable energy
The UK aspiration is to hit net zero by 2050, and with 26% of UK emissions coming from residential homes[1] , home owners considering renovations or builds should definitely be looking at moving away from natural gas and considering sustainable energy sources.
One option which is becoming much more common is the air source heat pump, a unit that moves existing energy from outside into your home. If you are considering a heat pump, ensure you have an expert assess your home to calculate the heat loss accurately and size the equipment needed. There is a myth that air source heat pumps mean a cold house – this is not true but your heating system does need to be compatible. Under floor heating systems work well but radiators are also an option if they are sized appropriately.
If you have an unshaded, large (typically 20m2) south facing roof, you can consider photovoltaics (solar panels). A battery system can be installed alongside the panels which enables you to build up energy during the day and then use it at night, further reducing reliance on the grid and costs.
For both options you will need to look into local permitted development and planning rules, but generally we’ve found councils are more and more supportive of these schemes because of their environmental benefits.
At our Graemesdyke Road project we installed an underfloor heating system compatible with an air source heat pump for future upgrades. We also used reclaimed bricks both externally and internally, and retained a lawn area in the garden to absorb surface water runoff.
Insulate, insulate, insulate!
We can’t say it enough – ensuring your home is well insulated is one of the best things you can do to help reduce energy bills and your carbon footprint.
Passivhaus design, which is at the forefront of sustainable design, maximises insulation in a sealed home to create an environment which requires 90% less energy to heat. Whilst many of our projects are renovations of existing period properties we still aspire to sustainable values and design our homes to be as energy efficient as possible.
It is important to get an expert in when looking at upping the insulation in an existing home as certain types of insulation on solid wall construction can cause condensation. In new extensions building regs set a minimum requirement and we always try and exceed this. Particularly if you are installing big expanses of glass, it’s a good idea to increase the insulation on the surrounding walls to compensate for this. Using double glazing at a minimum, or triple glazing where possible, will also make a difference.
In this project we used scaled up glazing to maximise light and links to the garden. Overheating was not a concern as the garden was North-East facing, but we upped the insulation to offset the huge expanse of glass.
Keep your cool when the temperature rises
With summer temperature levels regularly hitting the high 30s in the UK, many people are understandably very tempted to install air conditioning. However, this is not a good option for your carbon footprint, (or for the environment outside receiving all the hot air) so we encourage all alternatives to be considered during the design stage.
Windows can be positioned for cross ventilation, so cool air can be drawn through your home. And stack ventilation includes an openable skylight at the top of your house over the stairwell, which when open will draw hot air up and out to be replaced by cooler air from the windows below.
When using expanses of glass in south facing homes this could cause overheating during the summer months. Shading options such as automated blinds with a temperature sensor or an external brise-soleil are good solutions. Training a deciduous climber over a pergola will give you the cooling shade in summer but as leaves drop will allow for more light through the darker winter months.
A loft is always going to be the most uncomfortable space in high temperatures so perhaps this is better suited to a spare room or study, with the master bedroom retained on a lower floor.
At our Dale Street project a skylight on the 3rd floor over the stairwell is not only an impressive design feature bringing natural light in, but also enables stack ventilation.
Water, a precious resource
A truly autonomous home - one that reduces its impact on the environment by using on site resources - will have a grey water recycling system. This treats waters from showers and sinks and re-uses it for irrigation and toilets. Even if we are not in the position to install this kind of technology in our homes, there are some simple and effective steps we can take to manage water better.
In the bathroom, an aerated shower head will blend water with air to reduce water usage. And if you are installing a bath think about the size – a huge bath will take a lot of hot water (and time!) to fill and you may end up enjoying it less often than a smaller model.
Outside, the easiest thing to install is a water butt. It collects rainwater from the roof which can then be used to water the garden. Slimline wall mounted water butts fit into the smallest of spaces and are great for town houses. A drip irrigation system in the garden can save significant amounts of water compared to standard watering techniques. The system “drips” a small amount of water very close to the plant roots to minimise wastage.
Do consider rainwater drainage – sadly we are living in a world where flash floods are becoming more common and sewers can be overwhelmed following heavy rainfall. Choose permeable surfaces for hard landscaping to allow rainwater to be absorbed, and consider a soakaway to divert rainwater away from the drains. This is essentially a pit dug into the ground, filled with coarse stone or similar that allows water to filter through it and soak away to the ground.
At this Surrey newbuild we installed a grey water recycling system to reduce the everyday water consumption of this busy family home.
Sourcing materials the sustainable way
Even when the end goal is to create a home which is much more efficient, the carbon footprint of construction creates a huge amount of emissions.
You can reduce your waste by re-using materials from the demolished elements wherever possible. For example:
Re-use building materials such as bricks – this will also ensure that your extension blends with the original house in a more authentic way. If you are looking for a contemporary finish you can still re-use original bricks before rendering.
Joists, floor boards, doors – consider what timber elements have merit and can be retained. This can also bring texture and character to your build.
Re-purpose existing fixtures and fittings – your old kitchen units can become your new utility room.
When sourcing new elements for your project look for suppliers who have sustainable values and can supply recycled steel or timber from a sustainably managed forest. Chat through with your builder to see which sustainable suppliers they can introduce – there may be a cost implication but it can really help you off-set some of the carbon footprint your development is creating.
There is a strong focus on environmentally friendly finishes and fixtures now. Recycled materials are used to make everything from tiles to light fittings. And think local, sourcing what you can from UK and European suppliers.
Second hand furniture is a great way to keep costs down and reduce your carbon footprint, and again adds real character to contemporary spaces. You can pick up a real bargain in a local antique shop or find a wide range of choices online at sites like vinterior.
At Eastwood Road the original kitchen units were re-used and a reclaimed counter makes a good-looking and roomy kitchen island.
A final word about sustainability
Once you are living in your lovely new home, you can still find ways to live more sustainably. The right choice of light fittings and bulbs can significantly reduce your energy consumption. Check out our post Everything you need to know about lighting your home if you want to learn more.
The stepped ceiling detail next to the sliding doors allowed us to conceal automatic blinds at our Mount Park Road project.