Why should we be green self building?

If you are about to embark on a self build project and are wondering whether to incorporate some green energies into your home, read on.

The Environment

Scientists have warned that we have only a few years to reverse the rise in greenhouse gas emissions and help avoid abrupt and catastrophic climate change. Already the world has changed - hot summers and flash floods, forest fires and melting ice caps. Not to mention the almost monthly rise in energy bills in the last year.

The very thing that has built us to where we are from the Industrial Revolution may end up causing our downfall.

We have plundered the earth's natural resources, polluted the skies and seas and have been motivated by greed and economics rather than the good of mankind and the planet.

We can change but the impetus to do so does not yet seem to be strong enough. Just as it takes miles to turn a supersize liner, so it will be in changing the opinions, habits and actions of the ordinary man on the street. But imagine how good you'll feel knowing that unlike others who talk the talk, you also walk the walk too.

If each person makes even a small contribution to the fight against lowering carbon emissions and global warming, then perhaps, just perhaps, there will be a world left worth inheriting for our grandchildren.

Economic Reasons

Okay, lecture over. Why else should you be considering energy saving technology in your home?

Well for a start, rising energy prices mean that over two million households in the UK already live in fuel poverty (fuel poverty is when a household needs to spend more than 10% of its total income on fuel use). Prices look set to continue to rise and so, if we do nothing, we may all be living in fuel poverty one day.

With a new build it is much easier to incorporate energy efficient systems as they can be built in at the drawing board stage. In an existing house there may be compromises to be made to accommodate them not to mention the disruption of having workmen in your home.

As building regulations tighten and changes become necessary rather than desirable, the resale value of a house that has been "future proofed" is going to be much greater than a bog standard developer house. There is current evidence which suggests you can add nearly 9% to a property's value by incorporating solar panels, heat pumps etc.

Many energy efficient systems are not mainstream and still regarded as "specialist", so there is often a hefty initial investment to be made. It can take a number of years to pay back its cost which is a deterrant to the majority of people. But there are now a number of Government grants available for different green technologies which helps offset some of the cost.

Ironically, the faster fuel prices rise, the better it is for those who have invested in green technologies in their homes and future as the pay back times get shorter and shorter. Snug and smug!

Remember, even small and relatively inexpensive changes such as better insulation and energy efficient light bulbs can make a big difference to our fuel bills. Not to mention being more careful to turn off lights, TVs etc.

Once only of interest to a small minority, green is the new black as far as self-building is concerned.

With the effects of global warming becoming increasingly apparent, more and more people are seeking greener ways to provide the energy needed to run a home.

Whether it's solar panels, heat pumps, high specification glazing or eco-friendly wool insulation in the loft space, there is little doubt that it is self-builders who are setting the standards for a greener future for the building industry and the way we live our lives.

Underfloor heating for example, has been available for years but, by and large, the self build market has been the industry's bread and butter - with large scale property developers still opting for standard, less efficient radiators.

But it's not all about saving the planet. Incorporating green ideas into a home can lead to reduced running costs and save you money in the medium to long term too. And when you come to sell your home in the future, you can guarantee that the greener it is the more attractive it will be to prospective buyers.

There is a greater sense of purpose from the government to promote green alternatives too with a stick and carrot approach in place.

Building regulations now demand far better energy efficiency while government grants are available for loft insulation right through to solar panels, heat pumps, wind turbines and other microgeneration technologies.

Self-builders are leading the way as far as greener homes are concerned and greenselfbuild.co.uk will be with you every step of the way towards a greener future for you, your family and the wider community.