Throughout the past few years there has been much talk of the eco-property – a term that has come to be defined as an environmentally-friendly low-impact home that utilises materials and technology to lower energy needs and ultimately reduce carbon footprint.
Demand has risen in tune with the wider populace becoming more eco-conscious – with one study showing that 66% of global respondents are willing to pay extra for products and services with an eco-friendly ethos.
Eco-friendly homes have become widely appealing for buyers and investors alike with the abundance of environmental benefits they can offer – but what are the features of an eco-friendly property specifically?
Renewable Energy
Features such as solar panels allow energy to be generated in a much more cost-effective manner and serve as an alternative to conventional energy sources which heavily rely on fossil fuels. Features such as solar panels allow energy to be generated in a much more cost-effective manner and serve as an alternative to conventional energy sources which heavily rely on fossil fuels. The efficiency can be calculated through a solar panel calculator to quickly estimate the solar potential and savings by address.
Other sources of renewable energy include biomass boilers and air source heat pumps which seek to absorb heat from the external air supply which then heats the property and provides hot water.
Such features have been the subject of eco-developments undertaken by property investment companies such as RWInvest who have capitalised on the demand with the first eco-property within North West England.
As such features are expensive to install, they may not be as common, but it has been noted that they are cost-effective in the long-term with the savings on energy they generate.
Insulation
A core component of an eco-property is maintaining a strong level of insulation – features such airtight double or triple glazed windows can dramatically reduce bills and carbon emissions by improving the thermal performance of your home.
Traditional insulation materials are also prone to a multitude of chemicals and additives which has given rise to renewable biodegradable materials such as recycled plastic, cotton and sheep’s wool.
Water Conservation
A rainwater harvesting system has been one of the hallmarks of the eco-friendly property – this consists of a process of collecting and filtering rainwater to use towards the buildings water source.
This can significantly reduce energy consumption levels and can be applied across an array of household chores – from washing the car to watering your garden.
Water efficient appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines as well as low-flow taps and shower heads are also now commonly found in designated eco-friendly properties.
Smart Technology
Items such as smart thermostats can specifically be made to adapt to your routine by regulating the temperate in your home – turning it off when you’re at work and back on when you return, for example. Smart lighting can similarly turn off lights you’ve forgotten about and be programmed to follow a specific pattern.
With such affordability and simplicity in both the installation and function of these smart technologies they are becoming much more widespread.
Eco-Friendly Materials
Utilising materials such as timber is a common practice found within in eco-properties as it serves as an alternative to wood – this helps to preserve forests and prevent over-forestation.
Additionally, recycled or reclaimed wood boasts a unique character and has become a desirable perk in the rise of eco-properties. This wood, when reclaimed from old buildings and furniture, is also of a much higher quality stemming from more mature trees making it stronger and more durable.
LED Lighting
The use of LED lightbulbs requires around 90% less energy than a typical bulb and last up to 25 times longer too – homeowners have been keen to replace their indoor and outdoor lighting with LED bulbs due to the high levels of cost efficiency in the long-run.
Additionally, the use of timers and dimmers make it much easier to tweak brightness in line with your own personal needs which is helpful when it comes to extracting only the wattage you need at any given time.
Garden Space
Whilst it may seem like a standard given feature of any house the presence of a garden has come under increasingly high demand for eco-friendly purposes.
With a higher number of people growing more eco-conscious they are eager to seek out sustainable food sources by focusing on local and sustainable produce. Therefore, having a garden has become a desirable key feature of an eco-property as it allows for homeowners to fulfil the farm-to-table lifestyle.