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Sustainability vs. Affordability - Sustainable Features That Make Good Financial Sense
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Photovoltaic Electricity System (Solar)
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Although sustainable/eco-friendly features and products can be expensive, they are now coming very much into the mainstream where new homes are concerned, and there are some very good reasons for this:
Resale value. With government eco-rating tools currently being implemented, a home's resale value is going to be affected more and more by its eco-rating.
Some features, such as extra insulation and passive solar design, need to be considered before a home is built, rather than retrospectively.
Many sustainable features can actually save you money in the long run, and some can provide significant health benefits, for example:
click images to enlarge them
Solar power. Reduces energy consumption. Photovoltaic systems even allow extra electricity to be sold back to the grid.
Solar, gas, wetback and heat pump hot water heating systems reduce energy consumption and reduce your power bills.
Energy-efficient lighting and appliances reduce energy consumption and reduce your power bills.
Micro CHP's (Combined Heat & Power) generate hot water and electricity at the same time, making them a highly energy-efficient addition to the home.
Home ventilation systems re-distribute dry, warm air from the cavity above your ceiling, reducing energy consumption, and providing a warmer, healthier environment.
Heat pumps, under-floor heating and radiators are energy-efficient heating systems which provide a warmer, healthier environment and reduce your power bills.
Rainwater harvesting recycles water which falls onto your roof. Reduces water bills. Can be re-used for toilets and washing machines and allows you to water your garden when water restrictions apply.
Passive solar design provides more opportunity for the sun to heat your home, and can even reduce its impact, depending on the season. It mainly concerns the positioning of your home, its walls and windows, and the length of the eaves (or roof overhang). Features like concrete walls and floor tiles when strategically placed in sunlit areas of your home's interior can also help heat your home.
Greywater Recycling - Greywater is wastewater generated from domestic activities such as laundry, dishwashing, and bathing, which can be recycled on-site for uses such as landscape irrigation.
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