4 Eco-Friendly Housing Alternatives to Consider

Following on from the climate crisis, people have become interested in adopting an eco-friendlier lifestyle. If you are one of these people, you are now probably looking for new accommodation which is eco-friendly housing than your current housing. But this is much easier said than done. Most properties on the market aren’t particularly environmentally friendly and sustainable, so many people feel there’s no point in attempting to move as it won’t make much difference anyway. However, there are still plenty of eco-friendly options out there – if you just know where to look in the market.

In this article, we are going to be discussing 4 housing alternatives to consider if you want to be environmentally conscious. Keep reading to find out what they are.

1) Fixer-Uppers

One of the main ways that the property industry contributes to climate change is by building new housing. This is for a number of reasons. Firstly, resources must be extracted from the ground to make new buildings. Secondly, an immense amount of fuel is required for construction. Finally, earth and woodland are upheaved to create room for new estates. However, you can mitigate these problems by investing in a fixer-upper. As the building has already been created, no new construction, land, or resources are required. You also have free reign to tailor the fixer-upper to your eco-friendly needs. For instance, if the roof needs replacing, you can install a solar panel instead.

2) Downsizing

For those who have a house that is larger than they require, it might be worth downsizing. A smaller property is also eco-friendlier because there are fewer rooms to heat and power with electricity, thereby cutting down on your energy consumption. This being said, most people are deterred from downsizing simply because they’re worried that they won’t have enough room for all of their possessions now. Fortunately, investing in a storage unit can help homeowners to overcome this problem. Check out Safestore’s storage options and see what would work best for you on your journey towards being eco-friendly.

3) Green Homes (Eco-friendly housing)

Did you know that there are homes out there that are completely covered in the foliage? From the walls to the roof, green homes are just that – green. And they’re brilliant for the environment in a whole variety of ways. For starters, being covered in dense plants, green homes are well-insulated, keeping them cold in the summer and warm in the winter. This means homeowners don’t need to expend as much energy to heat their properties. What’s more, green homes are brilliant for purifying the air around. Plants tend to absorb pollutants and produce oxygen. Lastly, you can even grow your own vegetables and herbs with a green home, contributing to an eco-friendlier and more sustainable lifestyle.

4) Solar Homes

Solar homes are a brilliant investment for people who want to be more environmentally friendly. There are two types. First, we have homes that are fitted with solar panels. These can turn sunlight into electricity to sustainably power your property. Solar panels can also provide electricity to the national grid and make you a little money on the side. Second, we have passive solar design homes. As opposed to using solar panels, these properties are structured so they can optimize the sunlight that enters the home. For example, they will have large windows that sunlight can come in through. Solar design homes then store this energy and distribute it throughout the household.

We hope that this article has given you some more insight into finding an eco-friendly alternative to your current home. By choosing a sustainable lifestyle, not only are you saving money but also the environment.