How to be greener at home

Live in harmony with the planet, starting with your home.

With the aim of saving energy, reducing pollution and promoting a responsible use of resources, builders, architects and homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to be greener at home. At Monapart we want to do our bit and guide anyone who is thinking about selling a house o rent a flat to be sustainable and what are the benefits of having a green home.

Green homes, what defines the sustainability of a home?

To be green, our home must be sustainable... But what does sustainability mean? 

The concept refers to the ability of a house or flat to meet the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. 

The UK government, in its publication Ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to comeThe definition of the term "the European Union" is a definition that clarifies the idea a lot: ensure a better quality of life for all, now and for generations to come.

It is a concept that seeks to address the current urgency of a rational, intelligent and careful use of resources in industries in general, and housing in particular. Today, we are more than aware of the environmental problems our planet is suffering and the obligation to do something about them. Environmental activist Greta Thunberg has become world famous for showing us the critical moment we are in. A clear example is her famous speech at the UN Climate Change Conference COP24 (2018):

It viralised the obligation of the most developed and modern societies to reduce the number of people living in poverty. carbon dioxide emissions. These come from the combustion of coal, oil and gas and are the main cause of global warming. In its Instagram account emissions, we can see where we currently stand in terms of CO₂ emissions.

While there is a need to satisfy users or buyers (many are looking to leave the city because of the pandemic, aware of the advantages of living in a house with a garden), it is important to do so without jeopardising the possibility of development and the quality of life of future generations. In this sense, the sustainability of a household can make a big difference.

Above all, focusing on 4 key points:

• Generating less waste.
• Encourage and educate on reuse and recycling.
• Reduce the environmental impacts and costs of housing.
• Improve the reliability, durability and maintenance of the materials used.

Another interesting contribution comes from the University of Novi Sadin Serbia. This study Sustainable House from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, talks about the interconnection of these three elements to achieve a sustainable home:

1. Environmental sustainability. Our home should be designed in a way that helps reduce greenhouse gases, is able to save water and energy and reduce waste during its construction and lifetime.
    
2. Social sustainability. Universal design: houses should be designed to provide safety and comfort for people of different abilities and at different stages of life, including children and people with reduced mobility.
    
3. Economic sustainability. The house is designed to save money during construction and over the life of the house. Careful planning avoids the need for major renovations in the future and reduces the costs associated with energy, energy use and water maintenance.

Green ideas for the home: how to be greener at home by changing small details of your daily life

Our daily lives can also help to improve the global situation. There are countless actions that contribute to the reduction of pollution and the efficient use of energy. 

Here are some easy-to-implement examples so you can go green at home right away:

• It promotes the mantra "Reduce, reuse, recycle".
• Use environmentally friendly cleaning products when cleaning your home.
• Switch to environmentally friendly toilet paper.
• Swap your plastic water bottle for an eco-friendly recyclable one.
• Use organic shampoo.
• Use recyclable paper for gifts.
• Avoid using disposable plastic straws.
• Try to cut down on meat intake.
• Try washing your clothes in cold water and avoid using the tumble dryer.

Top 10 green alternatives for the home

Here is a list of 10 actions to improve the sustainability of your home:

1. Use recycled and recyclable materials if you plan to build or remodel.
2. Make sure you improve the insulation of your house. This will make both heating and cooling more efficient. Pay attention to windows, as they are often the main factor of energy loss. 
3. Prioritise the use of energy efficient appliances and equipment. 
4. Change all lights to LEDs to promote low energy consumption.
5. Improve thermostats and heating controls to regulate temperature.
6. If you have a garden, try installing a drip irrigation system. 
7. Try making a compost in your yard and get natural fertiliser for your plants.
8. Reduce heat patches with "chilled ceilings" (also known as "cooling ceilings"). cool roof). They are cool roofs that are designed to reflect sunlight and prevent the house from absorbing heat.
9. Investigate your energy supplier's renewable energy options.
10. Invest in clean energy that - in the medium term - will save you on consumption and bills: invest in solar panels.

A sustainable home is an efficient home. It is that which is characterised by the correct use and exploitation of resources and which manages to improve the performance of the characteristics of the home while reducing - at the same time - the impact on the ecosystem. Every gesture counts, and at Monapart we want to help you discover how to be greener at home or to find that sustainable home you are looking for.

In order to save energy, reduce pollution and encourage responsible use of resources, builders, architects and homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to go green at home. Learn how to be sustainable and enjoy the benefits of having a green home.