Eco-friendly homes: Innovations for a greener future

As environmental concerns continue to grow, more homeowners are embracing sustainable practices and seeking ways to make their homes more eco-friendly. 

"While there is still a long way to go in transforming our homes, there are numerous green technologies, materials, and practices available for home buildings and renovations," says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group.

In this blog, we will explore some of the latest advancements in the field and how they can contribute to creating a greener and more sustainable home.

Energy saving designs

Energy efficiency is a key way to build homes that are kinder on the environment and the pocket. This is due to the fact that the biggest contributor to a property's carbon footprint is how it is powered and heated. 

Passive solar is one emerging trend that addresses this. These homes collect heat as the sun shines and are built with materials that absorb and retain the heat. This helps minimise the need for artificial heating and cooling. 

What's more, the rise of energy efficient appliances is a simple but effective way to make your home greener - whether you own or rent. 

Renewable energy systems

Installing renewable energy systems is another effective way to reduce a home's carbon footprint. Solar panels are becoming more and more popular - and necessary, amid South Africa's energy crisis. The advancement in solar technology means that solar panels are increasingly accessible and have improved battery storage making it possible to store excess energy for cloudy days and nighttime. 

Efficient insulation and windows

Being able to heat your property during the colder months and keep it cool during the warmer ones, its vital to creating a green home. 

This makes selecting insulation materials that minimise the heat transfer between the home and outside environment incredibly important. Opting for spray foam and cellulose insulation is a green choice that will have knock-on benefits, such as reduced energy bills and noise. 

Water conservation strategies

Water conservation is immensely important in sustainable homes. Installing low-flow taps, showerheads and toilets is an attainable way to reduce water consumption. These fixtures can reduce water consumption by up to 60%. While these fixtures were once associated with low water pressure, they now perform just as well as their water-wasting counterparts. 

Greywater systems are another good way to conserve the precious resource that is water. This involves collecting water used for washing dishes, laundry and bathing and reusing it for irrigation purposes. There are a number of greywater systems to choose from, from sophisticated plumbed-in options to water storage containers. 

Eco-friendly materials

Materials are the most important consideration for an eco-friendly home. When building or renovating, choosing recycled or reclaimed materials is the best place to start, as you can often get them at a lower cost and prevent them from winding up in a landfill. 

Sheep's wool is surprisingly, a very green material. It is entirely natural, can be regrown quickly and its fibres make it the perfect choice for insulation. Bamboo and cork are more examples of materials than can easily be regenerated. Moreover, they are versatile and highly durable, making them the ideal materials to use for home builds. 

There's no doubt that we've come a long way in creating and identifying materials and designs that result in greener homes. From energy-efficient buildings to using eco-friendly materials, there are many emerging green technologies and trends to keep an eye out for.