Turn your house into an eco-home with the latest technology

Strive for the Passivhaus standard

If you’re aiming for a truly eco-friendly home, you might be interested in learning more about the Passivhaus standard. This top-tier energy efficiency standard is designed to help you create a home that uses minimal energy for heating and cooling. 

By using high levels of insulation, advanced window technology, thermal bridge-free construction, controlled ventilation with heat recovery, and careful attention to airtightness, the Passivhaus standard ensures that buildings maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor climate while drastically reducing energy demand. The result is highly energy-efficient, environmentally friendly buildings that provide superior comfort, indoor air quality, and long-term sustainability.

Eco Design Consultants is an award-winning chartered architecture practice which designs and redesigns homes to the Passivhaus standard. If you’re interested in finding out how your home build or renovation could meet the standard, find out more about Eco Design Consultants here.

Control your home environment

Coupling an air source heat pump with a central air distribution system can give you the added benefit of cooling your home in warmer months, as well as filtering allergens like pollen, pet hair and pollutants out of the air.

A central air distribution system is made up of small ducts which mix and deliver conditioned air into your living space. The system replaces the need for traditional radiators and underfloor heating, and the discreet outlets allow you to make maximum use of your internal wallspace by eliminating the need for radiators.

The Unico System has a modular design which allows for easy installation for both new build and retrofit projects, as the system can be designed to fit perfectly within the fabrication of the building. It's unique cooling coil design allows The Unico System to remove up to 30% more humidity than conventional air conditioning and heating systems. This means that, when cooling, you can keep your thermostat a few degrees higher while feeling the same level of comfort - helping to save on energy consumption while creating a comfortable conditioned environment.

Find out more about The Unico System here.

Choose sustainable materials

Part of building a greener and more environmentally responsible home is choosing the responsible materials. There are several ways to incorporate sustainability into your material choices, including sourcing from renewable or recycled materials where possible, such as bamboo, reclaimed wood or recycled steel.

Materials that require low energy and water consumption to produce, such as low-embodied-energy concrete or clay bricks, can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a building. Choosing materials that have a longer lifespan and require minimal maintenance will reduce the need for frequent replacements, and therefore help to reduced waste in the long run.

Another benefit of choosing sustainable building materials is their impact on your indoor air quality and overall health. Harmful emissions from certain materials can lead to respiratory issues - materials with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, such as natural paints and adhesives, can significantly improve indoor air quality. Additionally, choosing materials that are non-toxic and don't release harmful substances over time, such as formaldehyde-free insulation or natural fiber carpets, can create a healthier and more comfortable living environment. 

Material choice can come into play in the less-visible parts of your home, too. Catnic's market-leading Thermally Broken Lintels can achieve carbon gains by reducing thermal bridging, making them an economical way to help hit net zero targets when installing lintels during a build or renovation project.

In 2010 Catnic achieved the Environmental Management Standard ISO 14001 recognition of its environmental management policy, and are the only UK lintel manufacturer to be certified to BES 6001 covering the Responsible Sourcing of Materials. They are committed to achieving continual improvement in environmental performance and pollution prevention, and in supporting government policy for sustainable development. 

You can find out more about Catnic here.

Prioritising sustainable building materials not only benefits our planet by reducing resource depletion and pollution, but also supports the health and wellbeing of our households.

Embrace aluminium

Choosing aluminum for guttering and other building materials is a sustainable choice for several reasons. First and foremost, aluminum is an abundantly available and recyclable material. This means that using aluminum in construction reduces the demand for virgin resources and minimises environmental impact. When aluminum products, such as gutters, reach the end of their lifecycle, they can be easily recycled, often with minimal loss of quality. This closed-loop recycling system significantly reduces the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with manufacturing new materials, making aluminum a greener option for construction.

Furthermore, aluminum's durability and resistance to corrosion make it a long-lasting choice for guttering and other exterior components of buildings. It can withstand harsh weather conditions, UV radiation, and moisture without deteriorating, which means that it requires less frequent replacement and maintenance. This not only saves money for property owners but also reduces the consumption of resources and the generation of construction waste.

By choosing aluminum building materials help to preserve our natural resources and reduce the environmental footprint of the built environment.

Rainclear are the UK's leading specialists in high quality metal rainwater, roofline, drainage and architectural ranges. Their friendly and knowledgeable team can turn your architectural drawings, or a simple sketch on a scrap of paper, into a list of components and a quote for free. Find out more about Rainclear here.