There are many advantages to buying a new build home. Financial incentives, minimal maintenance, and having a blank canvas to decorate are among them. However, the biggest benefits are because new houses are invested in green living.
From more eco-friendly construction methods to a design that prioritises energy efficiency, choosing a new build property means a significantly smaller carbon footprint and spending less on utilities to boot. Discover exactly how new houses are championing sustainability.
Construction Methods
New houses are primarily built using the process of modular construction. This means that key parts of the properties are manufactured in a controlled environment and then brought to the site all in one go.
Keeping the majority of the manufacturing process off-site means less need for transport, helping to minimise carbon emissions. Compared to traditional methods, modular construction also produces significantly lower levels of waste and pollution.
Building Design
The design of the buildings themselves are part of the reason that new homes in the United Kingdom are championing sustainability.
England’s existing housing stock is some of the poorest in Europe when it comes to retaining heat. This means that we end up using more energy more often in an effort to keep our homes warm.
New property design therefore places an emphasis on insulation. This includes upgraded materials in the roof, using cavity walls instead of solid walls, and fitting double- or even triple-glazed windows. All of these elements in combination contribute to a significantly reduced energy usage.
Renewable Heating
As part of the UK government’s drive to reach net zero by 2050, gas boilers will be banned from all new homes from 2025. Instead, new houses will be fitted with more eco-friendly heating systems.
The more simple switch is from gas to electric, or swapping to a combination boiler which has a smaller water tank and therefore smaller carbon footprint than conventional models. However, these upgrades are still reliant on CO2-producing fossil fuels.
New houses will therefore also lead the way in the implementation of renewable heating technology. One of the most recognisable renewable heating options is solar panels which harness the energy from the sun.
Another option – if you have the funds to invest in it – is the heat pump. This is the most modern green heating system which works by bringing heat from the air or ground outside into the property.
Green Appliances
Finally, new build homes are fitted with green appliances that enable homeowners to use less energy in the home.
Examples of this include induction hobs as an alternative to traditional gas cookers, digital thermostats, and energy-saving LED lightbulbs. A selection of new homes are also being fitted with EV charging points in anticipation of the switch from fuel-powered cars to electric vehicles in 2035.