So, you are considering venturing into environmentally friendly real estate because you know they consume less energy, are constructed with sustainable materials and present a friendly and healthy environment for the owners or occupants. In addition to this, the prices of such home in this modern age are quite affordable. Not long ago, building an eco-friendly house required a premium of 11 to 25 percent. Today, however, that is no longer the case as people now only pay three to five percent. That said, here are some of the things to consider when buying or constructing an environmentally friendly home.
One of the first things you’ll want to do is consult a real estate agent who specialises in eco-friendly properties or is a designated eco-broker. Working with the right professional in this field of real estate will give you the right information and help in selecting a home that has all the green features you want. If you want to build one from the ground up, you will ideally want to consult an architect or a eco-friendly home builder in Perth
To ensure that you are looking at an environmentally friendly home, you will want to look at houses with a ‘Green’ rating. This rating system is still relatively new, and so, it might be hard to locate houses that have ratings. Even if you can’t find a property with ratings, it’s still imperative to know what features define a green home.
Look for functional windows. Low E rated windows are ideal for keeping the harmful UV rays at bay. This can also help keep your home cooler. Windows that help with natural cooling are a plus. Ceiling fans are also beneficial for cooling homes. You should also pay attention to insulation as it plays a key role in heating and cooling the home. As for the attic space, it should have proper space to pave the way for hot air elimination. The roofing materials, on the other hand, should be light coloured as dark ones tend to absorb sunlight which increases heat in the household.
You should also check out the landscaped areas of the home as it also plays a role in solar heat gain reduction. Planting beds near the house tend to minimise heat build-up. Also, check whether there’s a drip irrigation system as it’s one of the best ways to save water naturally. If the property’s location does not get much rain, you may want to keep a small lawn area that won’t require too much water.
Ensure that the windows are located in the north and south regions of the house. Positioning the windows properly can help prevent your house from being heated by the sun. As for appliances, you may want to ensure they have Energy Star Ratings. Such appliances tend to consume less energy and help lower utility bills.
Speaking of energy consumption, it is also a good idea to look for a home that has a solar system. This is one of the best ways to ensure that a home is environmentally friendly. Solar energy is renewable and clean. Utilising this type of energy will help reduce electricity consumption as well as your carbon footprint.
Environmentally friendly homes also take advantage of winds for natural cooling. As such, you may want to give attention to the home’s orientation. Windows positioned on opposite walls tend to give excellent cross ventilation.