The Road to Sustainable Home Design for Amateurs

Here are 7 simple things that will get you started on the road to a sustainable house

They are all worth thinking about before you call an architect or appoint a builder:

1. Orientation
   
   The orientation of your house will influence the amount of sun and breeze. This will ultimately influence your cooling and heating systems.
2. Shade
   
   Shade requirements differ house to house, but having the right shading also influences your cooling and heating systems.
3. Insulate everything
   
   Invest in insulation - roof, walls and floor. The more you insulate, the lower your energy bills.
4. Build with a dense material
   
   Building your house out of dense materials such as concrete and bricks are useful in absorbing, and storing thermal energy. 
5. Glazed windows
   
   Window insulation will affect the heat and lighting in your home.
6. Cover your pool to avoid evaporation. In some places, pool covers and while effective, they are generally not attractive.
7. Landscaping
   
   Landscaping decisions, coupled with home orientation have an enormous impact on the climate of your home

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