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Build a self-sufficient house It is possible and, for this, you will need ecological and recyclable materials, use renewable energy and have an ecofirendly lifestyle, among other aspects. An ecological house has to be built with sustainable materials. If, in addition, we want it to be self-sufficient, that is, to be ecological in a more complete sense, it has to generate its own energy, take advantage of rainwater and reuse both this and the waste that, of course, must also be minimal .
Thanks to the generation of energy and material and an intelligent use that includes eco-friendly habits, we try to minimize energy and material costs, while achieving economic savings. In other words, the objective is to gain independence and thus take care of our pocket and also the planet. In Green Ecologist, we show how to build an ecological and self-sufficient house.
Keys to building an ecological and self-sufficient house
To begin with, you have to take into account the main aspects before launching to build a home of this type. Therefore, in Green Ecologist we give you the following tips and keys to make an ecological and self-sufficient house:
- Set a budget.
- Know how to orient the ecological house.
- Use renewable energy and energy efficiency.
- Use ecological materials.
- Manage water properly.
- Have an ecofriendly lifestyle consistent with the operation of the house.
Next, we better explain all these aspects to take into account.
How much can it cost to build a green house
Since there is no self-sufficient house model, we have to base ourselves on a series of key principles that will help us design our own project to achieve the long-awaited energy self-sufficiency or independence, and even food.
Except for laudable exceptions that today are anecdotal, normally building a green and self-sufficient home requires a larger budget, so the costs will skyrocket, although its subsequent amortization will soften this first blow. However, the money invested will depend entirely on the space, the quality of the materials and systems and other details, so it can be quite variable from one project to another.
On the other hand, if we want to reduce energy consumption and also generate it, we will have to decide how we are going to do it, using one or other technologies depending on the characteristics of the area, depending on whether it is more or less rainy, windy or sunny. .
In turn, the house must be isolated making use of sustainable materials, in addition to being able to reinforce this point with the installation of green roofs and vertical gardens on facades and also inside the house. Another aspect of vital importance for the use of the natural resources that the area offers us, and this requires the investigation of the possibilities of the environment, since there could be wells or natural springs.
How to orient an ecological house to build it
In the same sense discussed above, the house orientation and the arrangement of the rooms will also be decided based on the weather (more or less wind, rain, temperatures, etc.) and the sun's path throughout the year. Specifically, to find out which is solar angle We will have to obtain the solar chart, a diagram on the path of the sun to know which part of the facade will receive more and less sun.
Once the location of the house and its orientation have been decided, it would be interesting to make a smart distribution of windows, doors, windows, porches, terraces and other elements and materials as required for greater or lesser insulation in different areas of the house.
If with these strategies we can minimize the use of heating and cooling in the home, we will have advanced on the path of self-sufficiency.
Using renewable energy to build a green house
Improving our goal will require the use of clean energy to cover the needs of air conditioning in the home. The options are numerous: photovoltaic solar energy, geothermal, wind, biomass boilers, biofuel generator, thermal solar energy … Any of them will have different applications, so we can obtain hot water and heating at the same time or, for example, a cooling the environment and using that clean energy as a source to provide electricity.
The biogas or solar cooker It can also be an excellent solution, since it uses renewable sources that can come from our garden or from natural biomass from companies that sell it, in which case the alleged self-sufficiency would suffer.
The importance of good habits
When using it, living in it, logically a life will have to be made in accordance with the ecological characteristics of the home, for example following the three R's of sustainability: reduce, recycle and reuse to maximize the efficiency of the technology, the usefulness of the waste, for example by composting it or treating wastewater.
It will also make a big difference in this regard to reduce consumerism, cultivate an organic garden or, of course, make the most of renewable energy. And not only through photovoltaic cells or wind turbines, but for example taking advantage of daylight hours, the wind to dry clothes or biomass for cooking or heating.
Therefore, when building an ecological and self-sufficient house, it is essential to take into account our lifestyle, preferences and real possibilities that the house can finally fulfill its goal of energy independence and self-sufficiency on a day-to-day basis.
Materials
Timber is a ecological and natural material if it comes from sustainably managed plantations. It can be used for the structure, for the finishes, for the walls and, mixed with other materials, also as wall insulation. Although the most ecological material is any that is reused, such as plastic bottles filled with sand or glass bottles.
It should also be borne in mind that materials that last a lifetime are more environmentally friendly, because they do not become waste. In any case, it is preferable that they be recyclable. Cement, stone and brick can last several generations. Finally, you have to use materials that do not release toxins, which endangers people's health.
Energy efficiency
Must be purchased energy efficient appliances and heating, cooling, and water heaters must get their energy from renewable sources. Ecological design has to take into account, on the one hand, good insulation that conserves heat in winter, and, on the other, windows and other elements that allow proper ventilation throughout the house.
The house orientation It is also very important, depending on whether you want the sun to enter in winter. Trees can be planted to provide shade in summer and cool the rooms.
Water management
Must take advantage of rainwater, collecting it to water the gardens and plants. Gray water recycling systems can be installed in sinks and showers for use in gardens. Toilets should have the possibility of low flush. There are even composting toilets, which don't use water.
Purify the waterWhether to make it suitable for human consumption, for irrigation, to recycle or reuse it once it has been used, it admits different solutions according to its level of pollution and uses. We will find good allies in the barrels that collect rainwater or even in large tanks that allow the accumulation of large amounts of water, ideal for accumulating it during the rainy seasons.
However, it should be analyzed to ensure its health, and it may still be necessary to give it a purifying treatment. Similarly, wastewater will require biological treatment plants that do not require electricity. Ideally, in these cases, the treated water is used for reuse for irrigation, washing the car or, for example, for the maintenance of ponds.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to build an ecological and self-sufficient house, we recommend that you enter our category of Other ecology.
