Environmental Impact on a house Key things to consider
Orientation of a House: Best to have longer elevation on east west axis, south facing. (Be able to draw suns movement (include summer and winter suns). Large high performance windows (frame & glazing) to allow for maximum solar gain from south and small windows on the north face to prevent heat loss. Less used rooms positioned toward the north side of building which tends to be colder. Hallway, Toilet, Utility Room, Study and Stairs. Absorbing sun reduces the need to use fossil fuels and therefore reduces cost and CO2 emissions. Location in the Landscape: House should not break skyline. On coastal areas avoid building on seaward side of the road. Try to position the house in a fold or dip to give shelter. Retain existing hedgerows, tress and natural boundries. Avoid planting evergreen trees on boundry. Plant trees, shrubs & plants indigenous to the area. Conserve existing stone walls and if new walls are to be built utilise local stone that complement existing stone walls. Avoid tarmacadam on drive ways Shale or gravel much natural looking material to use on drive as its blended in very well and all ground water can be easily absorbed. Locate garage or parking to rear of site. Avoid high type gate or over the top ornate lighting and piers.
Materials: Timber Cladding a house front will reduce the need to over rely on use of concrete. Carbon Neutral material Sourcing locally grown timber will reduce transport costs. Ensure timber is from sustainable renewable and well managed forests. Concrete Cut down or avoid footpaths The use of Portland cement produces a lot of emissions Using Low Carbon Concrete reduces CO2 by 50% (50% Portland Cement & GGBS Slag /Cement from Blast Furnace Low Carbon Concrete has less damaging impact on the environment
Local Materials Try to use materials in design of house which are available locally. Stone, Sand & Blocks are all best sources locally. Reduce the use of expensive fossil fuels. Try to employ local tradesmen where possible. Straw Bales, Cob and Hemp are fantastic materials to be sourced and are high in thermal properties.
Economical use of space within the design: Smart design will pay in the long term, combining the kitchen with dining area is clever thinking. Keep ground floor bedroom a modest size. Smaller rooms conserves heat better and reduce the use of fossil fuel and in turn lower CO2.
Roof Lights: Provide more daylight and thermal gain and are cheaper than traditional Dormer windows. Less need for switching on lights (artificial light) therefore reducing use of electricity. Always face them in direction of brightest sky.
Pitched Roof: Good pitch will accommodate more space in attic spacing. Good pitch will also allow for better placing of solar panels.
Renewables: Use renewable materials that grow and replenish this will ensure ample supply for future generations. Less energy required for process of wood. Try to use Carbon Neutral materials. Renewable materials which have come to the end of life may be recycled and have smaller impact on the environment.
Solar Panels: Provides up to 40 – 60% of Domestic Hot Water. Reduces dependency of fossil fuels. Always positioned on the south face of the roof. Can also produce electricity in the form of (Photovoltaic Panels) and any unused energy can be sold back to the grid.
Flexibility of Deign: Universal design caters for all ages and abilities. Ground floor studies can easily be converted (little cost) to bedrooms for people who struggle with gaining access to first floor (stairs). Office in close location to bathroom incase of converting. Large open plan space for kitchen, dining and living rooms area for ease of movement of all ages. 800mm Door openings for wheelchair users. Low height light switches.