Do you want to buy a new self-sufficient house?
At Costa Cálida Promotores we are very aware of the impact that construction can have on the environment. That is why our developments take into account respect for the environment. An environment that is part of our lives, and that we have to take care of as what it is: something unique.
We have already talked about the advantages of new construction over second-hand housing. One of these advantages was the modernity of materials and construction techniques; the more modern, the more efficient.
Unfortunately, not all homes have been built with the planet in mind. That is why we have decided to write this post, to show that, with a minimum of investment, and even without spending a single euro, you can achieve a sustainable home without sacrificing quality of life.
Do you dare to be more sustainable with a self-sufficient house? We explain its advantages.
THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE
A home is a place where we feel safe, where we pour our personality into creating spaces that define us. We also want these spaces to be pleasant. And the main way to do this is through temperature. A temperature that we achieve by different means. But be careful! An abuse or a headless temperature control can lead to a resource-devouring home, which is equal to a money-devouring one.
Let’s review some tips on how to achieve the ideal temperature without wrecking the environment and your wallet:
– INSULATING WINDOWS: perhaps the most important point. A well-insulated house is an efficient house. That is why it is always advisable to have insulated windows that protect us from the inclemency of the weather, as well as freeing us from annoying external noise. This point requires investment, if you don’t already have it, but it is a profitable investment. Why? Because that heating that you used to use in spring or autumn will no longer be necessary with good insulating windows. Less expenditure = more savings.
– EFFICIENT HEATING: both in terms of system and use. And yes, we are mentioning points that require investment, but they are investments that are amortised in a very short time, as well as respecting the environment.
As far as the system is concerned, it is important to choose which one we want to acclimatise our home. Let’s take an example: a radiator system usually works by heating water to around 60 or 70 degrees Celsius, while an underfloor heating system works at between 30 and 50 degrees Celsius. See the difference?
In terms of use, we all like to wear our shorts indoors while the blizzard rages outside. But does it pay off? It doesn’t. The best thing to do is to keep the house at a stable temperature that allows you to wear light, but not summer clothes. Turning the thermostat up and down is no good either. And, above all, turn the heating on according to your day-to-day life. Turning it on at 50 degrees Celsius because you have woken up and are going to take a shower to go outside is not the most advisable thing to do.
– LIKE THE ANCENTRAS: in areas where it is very hot in summer, there is something basic that will prevent sweating and save you money: the cave effect. What does it do? Very simple: open all the windows in the house when the outside temperature is more pleasant (night, dawn…) and close them, with the blinds down or the curtains drawn, when the heat is on. Remember the insulated windows? They work wonders here. They keep in the coolness that we have let in, insulating us from the hell that is raging outside.
DO THE SAME WITH LESS WATER
It may seem utopian, but it can be done. There are a multitude of parts and accessories on the market that can turn our taps into water-saving machines. How? By reducing the flow that comes out of them.
This does not mean that we have to go from a thick fist-sized jet of water to a trickle of water that barely wets the toothbrush. Most attachments of this type use a clever mix of water and air to reduce the flow rate without affecting the power output. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s just science.
BRAND NEW IS NOT A LUXURY
We are talking about household appliances. Maybe that oven or washing machine that came with the house ten years ago is still working perfectly, but have you ever stopped to think about the extra expense you have every month? And about the new technologies that you are not taking advantage of? Nowadays, even household appliances are smart! That’s why an old appliance, even if it is functional, is an economic burden that also harms the environment. Consider a renovation, even if it’s in stages.
PUT A BRAIN IN YOUR HOME
Or in other words: make it smart. By means of new technologies, we can gain complete control over everything that happens in our home. Smart light bulbs, smart sockets, smart curtains… Humans are determined to make everything smart, and we must take advantage of them.
By means of mobile or computer applications, all these intelligent components can be put at the service of efficiency and savings. We can activate or deactivate them according to our life. And they can even make life easier for us by activating them minutes before we enter our home.
If technology allows us to have complete control, why not take advantage of it?
YOUR FRIEND THE SUN
Years ago, having a solar panel was more declarative than functional; the energy collection was not efficient, the price was very high and legislation was confusing. Today, a solar panel is as affordable as a high-end television. And if you are fortunate enough to live in an area like the Costa Cálida, where the sun hardly ever hides, the benefits are enormous.
Why pay for polluting energy when we have all the energy we want from the sun?
PUT A BRAIN IN YOUR HEAD
Because not everything is limited to turning your home into a kind of sustainable technological god. If you don’t do your bit, what’s the point of all the investment? Be consistent with your energy expenditure and resource consumption. If you pay attention, you’ll find that you can do the same thing while consuming less. And for goodness sake, recycle! Almost all packaging now has a colour code to show you which bin to throw it in – we don’t even have to think about it! Dedicate two tiles in your house to bins for the different types of waste. The planet will thank you, and you’ll sleep better. We promise.
As you can see, there are many ways to make your home more environmentally sustainable as well as efficient, which has a direct impact on your savings. Take a good look at the characteristics of your home and start implementing the measures we have mentioned in this article. Together, let’s make the planet a better place to live!
If you have any questions, please contact us through the means indicated on this page. We will be delighted to help you.