Green home
6 January 2010 - written by Jasmine Harman in association with
Towergate Connect
Eco resorts are sprouting up all over the world, and some are
"greener" than others. If you are thinking of purchasing a holiday
home, and want it to be as green as possible, there are a few
things to look out for.
All environmentally friendly projects should include elements of
sustainability; that is economic, environmental and social
sustainability, which is commonly defined as "meeting the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs".
Developers should be looking at conservation of the
surroundings, responsibly protecting native flora and fauna, as
well as contributing to the local community and economy by
providing employment, facilities and infrastructures such as water
sources, roads, education and training.
New properties should be built using low-impact construction
methods and materials, preferably locally sourced to reduce
transportation emissions and support local trade. They should also
use renewable sources of energy.
Has the new home you are looking at got a rain-water collection
tank? Does it make use of solar panels? Or low energy appliances?
Can you recycle your grey water to irrigate the garden? Is there
grass growing on the roof? (You may laugh, but it is great
insulation!) These are all questions to ask yourself; few
developments will have all of the above but having some is better
than having none.
Many governments have now passed legislation requiring new
buildings have less impact on the environment. In Spain all new
homes must be built with solar panels to provide hot water, and in
France, at least 40% of the windows in new developments must be
South-facing. Orientation is one of the most important factors for
a Green project and can have a huge impact on energy bills as
correct orientation will help to light, heat and even cool the
property.
Under-floor heating is a more efficient way of heating your home
and good insulation and double, or even triple-glazed windows will
mean cheaper heating bills (and also cheaper air-conditioning
bills) as the temperature inside will fluctuate less. One of the
benefits of an eco-home is that fuel and water bills are generally
much cheaper, and in many cases, non-existent.
Where you chose to purchase a guilt-free holiday home will have
an enormous impact on how effective your efforts really are. Taking
a long haul flight to get there kind of defeats the object, so you
either add Carbon off-setting to the cost of your flight, (although
some argue that is buying your way out of your obligation to the
planet), or find a location that you can access without stepping
foot onto a plane.
My advice would be to go local; a train journey to France would
produce less than 15% of the CO2 of a flight to the same
destination, and although it will take longer, it is all in the
spirit of a greener home abroad.
Purchase costs are likely to be very similar to a traditionally
built home, as developers know that if they can’t compete, buyers
will go elsewhere, so they generally absorb any additional costs
associated with building a green home.
But the best part of a green holiday home is that you can relax
and enjoy it, in the knowledge that your new pad isn’t contributing
to your carbon footprint.
Towergate Connect and Jasmine Harman
Towergate Connect has
selected one of the UK's most high-profile travel celebrities,
Jasmine Harman, who is best known for her work on Channel 4's 'A
Place in the Sun - Home or Away', to contribute towards regular
news and views articles to our website.