Written by Lisa Proffitt | 27th March 2024
Twenty years ago, building sustainably was far from mainstream, now it’s on everyone’s conscience. Many of our clients want to find a beautiful home, but they also stipulate that it must be green too. Read on for tips to achieve a stylish home renovation that doesn’t cost the earth, and discover four stylish Eco homes, all currently on the market with Michael Graham.
A lick of paint is a fail-safe way to refresh tired walls, but Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in paint are damaging to the environment and can cause dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Most big building supply stores now offer low-VOC or no VOC paints, but double check the label, especially when painting a child’s bedroom. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex famously painted their baby’s nursery at Frogmore Cottage with The Organic & Natural Paint Co’s non-toxic and eco-friendly vegan paint, infused with rosemary and eucalyptus oils which help cleanse and purify the air. Some house paints use casein - a protein derived from milk - or beeswax as a binding agent and many use ingredients that have been tested on animals.
Vegan paints such as The Organic & Natural Pain co. or Earth Born Paints avoid these products and never test on animals.
Take a look at Barefoot Barn... This modern barn conversion was built in 2020 under the guidance of a renowned Feng Shui practitioner, who collaborated with the owners and architect to map the energy of the barn. The home draws on natural energy lines to maximise creativity and flow, with a Little Greene eco-paint colour palette that reflects water and Earth. Eco features include two air source heat pumps which power the underfloor heating, an Osmio inbuilt filtered water system and triple glazing throughout.
Tiles are a great solution for the eco-conscious interior designer. Natural, high-quality stone tiles from sustainable quarries are the most environmentally friendly choice as they last for years with little maintenance. UK company Fired Earth is now an acknowledged authority on colour and pattern, with a philosophy of offering beautiful, authentic products made from honest materials. When choosing a wood floor, check that the wood is sustainably harvested and made with non-toxic adhesives and finishes.
Take a look at Prairie Barn in Pirton, Hertfordshire... this recently completed barn conversion has many eco features, including an air source heat pump which powers underfloor heating and triple glazing throughout, contributing to an A rated EPC report.
40% of the energy used in a typical home goes on heating so if you are building a new house or converting a barn, now is the time to invest in a heating system that saves money as well as fossil fuels. You really do not have to spend that much to cut your bills and reduce your consumption of fossil fuels. Look into ground source air pumps or air source heat pumps which work by extracting heat from the ground or air outside your home and using it for radiators or underfloor heating. If you are investing in a boiler, Biomass boilers are the cheapest boiler to run and the heat they produce is carbon neutral. Check out Energy Saving Trust for more advice.
Take a look at Mangrove Lodge in Lilly, Hertfordshire... this former lodge house has been extended and completely renovated throughout with particular attention paid to eco features. Solar panels on the south facing garage roof are connected to a battery to store the electricity, there is an EV charging point, and an air source heat pump on the side of the house. The EPC rating is an impressive A.
Take a look at 11 Fowlers Drive in Bedfordshire... this modern five-bedroom eco house has an air source heat pump, solar panels, battery storage, and an EPC rating of A. It also has a 10-year guarantee dating from 2022.
One of the saddest sights for anyone who hates waste and cares about the planet is a skip full of kitchen units and granite worktops, all being ditched in favour of the hot new trend. Why not contact a supplier who will take the old kitchen away in part exchange for a new one at a fraction of the retail price? The Used Kitchen Company (slogan, Skip the Skip) is the original and largest online marketplace for used and ex-display kitchens. Their website lists designer kitchens at a fraction of the retail price and with appliances often included.
Home appliances devour energy and rack up the bills to prove it. A renovation is the perfect time to consider eco-friendly replacements for appliances you use the most. Focus on upgrades that are both financially and environmentally efficient; an eco-washing machine will slash your bills and reduce environmental damage in the process. Now is also a good time to contact your local water provider to find out more about water saving devices, like water efficient shower heads, which are often provided free of charge.
If you're looking for a home that's energy efficient or have a home to sell, we would love to help. Contact us now to discuss your requirements or book a free valuation here.
Fill in the form below and a member of our team will contact you to discuss your search criteria and give you more details about our discreetly marketed property.