How to upgrade to a more sustainable house

These days, most of us are aware of the impact our actions have on the planet. Some people might choose to catch the train rather than fly; others commute by bus rather than taking the car.

Our environmental awareness impacts many elements of modern life, but it’s easy to overlook when it comes to home upgrades. We’ve got good news: you can sustainably upgrade your home, ensuring that not only are you doing your bit in your everyday actions, but your home is working hard for the environment, too.

What exactly are sustainable home improvements?

As the name implies, sustainable home improvements are made with the good of the planet in mind. A sustainable upgrade minimises the emissions produced by the upgrade itself and by the building over the long term.

Energy-efficient solutions

Adding solar panels is one of the best energy-efficient improvements you can make to your home. In a sunny country like Australia, rooftop solar makes a lot of sense, and it can also significantly reduce your energy bill.

To decide whether solar panels are right for you, consider both the cost to install them, which typically starts at around $3000, and the cost of the panels themselves, which range from about $6500 to $11,500. Solar panels are a significant financial investment, but they not only lower your carbon footprint but also increase the perceived value of your home.

Sustainable materials

Producing building materials like cement, steel, and aluminium is very carbon-intensive. In fact, the building and construction industry accounts for 37% of global emissions. However, you can do plenty to ensure your home is low on embodied carbon, a term used to describe the carbon footprint created by the extraction, manufacture, distribution, and processing of building materials.

Most building materials can be recycled. Not only will this save you money, but you’ll also help the planet by diverting materials from landfill. Consider using recycled concrete flooring to create a trendy and sustainable floor for your home, and read this handy guide to building with second-hand materials to learn everything you need to know about finding and using recycled steel, bricks, timber and even furnishings like doors. You can even find and integrate recycled windows!

Find a builder through hipages and discuss your desire for a sustainable home with them. They can advise you on what materials can be used second-hand and may be able to help you source them, too.

Design considerations for a more sustainable house

If you’re eyeing off a bigger reno, think about how you can integrate sustainable principles into your design.

• Window placement matters! Windows facing east or west get direct morning or afternoon sun, which can impact the amount of energy needed to cool or heat your home.
• Some materials have natural insulation properties. Strawbale walls are excellent insulators, but they are labour—and time-intensive to produce and use, so if you’re considering this option, you might want to hire a handyman to help.
• Paint your roof white to reflect the summer heat.
• A green roof! A lawn on your roof might seem kooky, but it’s excellent insulation (and an even better fun fact to break the ice with at your next dinner party).

Plants can help cool your home in other ways, too. Consider adding a vertical garden to the exterior wall that receives the most direct sunlight. The greenery will help keep your home cool.

Looking to implement these sustainable design choices? Find a local handyman or a gardener to advise you on a lawn roof or vertical garden, and chat with a builder for a professional opinion on your sustainable building choices.

Water conservation

It’s not news that water is a precious resource in Australia. Many parts of the country are drought-prone, and many people have lived with water restrictions during the hot summer months.
You can do your bit by making sure your home is water-efficient. While it’s always good to be mindful of our water consumption, it’s essential when it comes to upgrades or renovations—you certainly don’t want to complete your dream project only to find that your water use has skyrocketed as a result!

Use these handy tips to minimise your water usage:

• If you’ve got the space, install a rainwater tank.
• Bring in a pro to conduct leak detection and plug up any spots where you might be leaking water (and money).
• Grey water is a great way to recycle water. A grey water system collects water from non-toilet plumbing in your home and uses it to flush toilets or in your washing machine.
• Upgrade older appliances to more water-efficient models.
• Install a low-flow shower head.

If you’ve got leaks that need plugging, or you’re keen to install a grey water system, find a trusted plumber and check out 101 ways to save water at home, too.

Carbon footprint reduction

There are plenty of ways to reduce your home’s carbon footprint. You can make sustainable choices during the building and renovation phase of your upgrades and make more eco-conscious decisions in your daily life as well. Consider these top tips:

• Keep air conditioning and heating to a minimum. Opt for a warm jumper or snuggle under a blanket in winter, close your blinds, and use your ceiling fans in summer.
• Plug gappy window frames. Gaps in window frames are commonly the culprit when your home’s insulation is not up to scratch.