● User
- First, and foremost, the sustainability of the home depends on the practices of the inhabitant. Awareness of the environmental cost of consuming energy, water, and the generation of garbage is key to ecological living.
● Green Houses
- The house must adapt to its surrounding environment wherever possible. Design should focus on the sun’s path, prevailing winds, weather, and the needs of the site. Tailor insulation needs for the site to save energy (and money!) on heating and cooling.
● Renewable Energies
- Most electricity from local grids is from non-renewable resources, such as natural gas and oil. Look for sustainable housing to reduce the consumption of these energies. Passive heating and cooling techniques and energy efficient appliances are great for energy conservation. In addition, generators based on renewable energy, such as solar and biogas can be used, but are not a replacement for sustainable practices.
● Water
- Water networks use energy for purification and transfer. Reducing consumption conserves energy. Limit the use of potable water to necessary uses, such as drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning dishes. Toilets, irrigation, and washing machines can use filtered or rain water. Grey water (relatively clean waste water) can be recycled for further sustainability. It is important to understand water treatment to avoid contaminating natural spaces.
● Materials
- Like buildings, the extraction of materials involves the generation of waste. Source from clean productions. Use materials that contain recycled components or are natural and have a rapid decomposition. Certain building materials contain things like glues or insulators which can contaminate air and are harmful to health. Identify and avoid these materials whenever you can.
● Vegetation
- Using flora improves quality of life and purifies the air. You can apply vegetation to the home by planting in the land, or using a green wall or terrace. The latter two of these help naturally improve insulation. It is very important to use native plants to reduce water consumption and maintain balance with local flora and fauna. Exotic plants can, and likely will, disrupt the local ecosystem, causing environmental damage.
● Garbage
- The generation of garbage is 100% dependent on the user. First, learn to consume. Buy products that contain the least amount of waste, such as packaging. Also, find products that have recyclable packaging. Learn to separate garbage from recyclables and organics. Composting organics at home reduces waste and adds a source of nutrition for plant life.