Building or renovating a home can be one of the most challenging experiences out there . But when it comes to designing it in a sustainable way, it really just comes down to common sense.
The results will be with you for years, and perhaps a lifetime, so getting it right from the beginning is crucial.
A great way to design a sustainable home is to allow it to be a sustainable home. In other words, design a home that makes the most of natural heating and cooling methods.
Thermal mass, ventilation, insulation, shading and glazing are among the components of passive design.
Orienting your home correctly also important in temperate and cool climate zones. When a building is able to let the sun in during cold seasons and shut it out when it’s hot.
Good orientation from a passive design perspective involves locating living areas on the north side of the house, with glazing having clear access to sunlight even in mid-winter.