From materials to design, and the build itself to everyday practises, luxury homeowners are utilising modern ways to instil sustainability throughout their homes, one step at a time.
Whether it’s a new-build property you’re creating or an existing dwelling that you’re renovating, your luxurious home doesn’t have to fall behind when it comes to being an eco-conscious space, in fact, it can lead the way and become an inspiring residence that uses the very best in up-to-the-minute technology and design techniques.
If you’re ever-more eco-minded and you’d like your high-end home to reflect this, read on for how this can be achieved this year, whether you’re starting entirely from scratch or seeking to upgrade your existing space.
Insulation and energy efficiency
Achieving a high-end aesthetic that also supports your vision of a home that cares for the environment is entirely possible with clever design alongside hidden elements that work for your home behind the scenes.
Insulation is a must in keeping heat within the home and modern innovations ensure that the right materials are used. Leading insulation company Insulation Wholesale emphasises the need for quality insulation to ensure your home achieves long-term benefits such as a reduction in noise transmission, protection against indoor mould growth by preventing mould condensation and savings on energy bills by keeping your house warm in colder months and cooler in summertime.
Other ways to save on energy bills include installing solar panels or an air source heat pump to produce heat in your home from the natural environment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and they have the bonus of delivering more energy than they consume.
Lighting
We all need to light our homes when the sun goes down and in addition to the way our energy has been sourced, there are things we can do to ensure what we use is done in a clever way, too. Small things like using LED lightbulbs are a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint, and larger elements like the design of large windows to foster a connection to the outdoors and allow plenty of natural light in, to reduce the need for artificial light, can be beneficial, too. Just be sure to use triple glazed windows and sustainable frames to reduce environmental impact.
Sustainable materials
If you’re starting a house build from scratch you’ll have an opportunity to create something from the ground up that works to reduce carbon emissions, while adopting practices as you go that ensure your home is leading the pack when to comes to sustainability. Equally, if you’re making less drastic changes then you can still make positive impact on the environment.
First of all, be sure to select materials that reflect this philosophy, so be sure to seek out reclaimed wood, use bamboo and cork, reuse and recycle materials and make use of locally sourced stone to reduce your carbon footprint. Also, working with companies that have strong environmental credentials is an important factor here.
Smart home technology and every day practises
Using the best of modern technology to make your home life simpler is a hallmark of a luxury home these days and helps to create routines that become seamless before long.
Smart thermostats and automated energy monitoring (for example, lights that turn on or off based on room occupancy) make for an excellent starting point, while air quality monitoring and sustainable water management make everyday life that much simpler. Automated window shading allows adjustments to transparency based on sunlight intensity to help with the regulation of indoor temperatures, while smart, energy-efficient appliances can be utilised during off peak hours from the click of a button via an app.
Sustainable landscaping
Eco-friendly credentials aren’t just reserved for the house itself, in fact, there are many ways in which the outside can do its part, too. If you’re considering some new features then it’s wise to always have in the back of your mind how you can make them kinder to the environment. For example, a swimming pool is the perfect addition to any luxurious home but harsh chemicals can ruin any hopes of a sustainable feature here. Instead, use biological filtration systems with plants and beneficial bacteria to create a natural pool and heat the water using power from solar panels.
Similarly, if you’re hoping to create new features like a pergola, consider using one made from recycled materials or sustainable wood, while gardens can be brightened by plants – but make sure to use native plants and adopt organic gardening practises such as composting kitchen waste and also harvesting rainwater to water your plants.
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