The good news is that you don’t need to be looking for the very top end in eco-home innovation in order to see the sustainability benefits. Building standards in the UK and future aspirations in Scotland particularly are such that the vast majority of new build homes deliver efficiencies that significantly exceed those of older homes.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
One of the biggest sustainability benefits of living in a new build development is energy efficiency. New build homes are typically much more energy-efficient than older homes, thanks to a number of factors, including:
Better insulation: New build homes are typically much better insulated than older homes, which means that they require less energy to heat and cool.
More efficient appliances: New build homes often come with energy-efficient appliances, such as A-rated fridges and freezers, which can help you to save money on your energy bills.
Renewable energy sources: Some new build developments are incorporating renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, which can help to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels.
New build residents not only enjoy reduced energy bills but also contribute significantly to decreasing the carbon footprint of their households.
USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
As mentioned above, some new build developments are incorporating renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines. This can help to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and save you money on your energy bills.
In addition, some new build developments are also using renewable energy sources to power their communal areas, such as lighting and heating. This can help to reduce the overall environmental impact of the development.
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS
Many new build developments are using sustainable building materials, such as recycled materials and sustainably sourced timber. This can help to reduce the environmental impact of the development and create a healthier and more sustainable living environment.
WATER CONSERVATION
New build developments often incorporate water conservation features, such as low-flow showers and toilets. This can help you to save water and reduce your environmental impact.
In addition, some new build developments are also using rainwater harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater for use in irrigation and other non-potable purposes. This can help to reduce the development's reliance on mains water.
TRAVEL
Most new build schemes will incorporate EV charging points into their parking provision enabling purchasers to charge up conveniently from home.
As part of achieving planning permission any new housing scheme will be required to provide adequate cycle storage, often secure, to allow future residents to come to and from home with as little carbon impact as possible.
BIO DIVERSITY
This may seem counterintuitive but, new housing developments, especially in urban areas can lead to significant bio diversity benefits compared to the previous use of the site. Biophilic design incorporating roof gardens, green roofs and communal green spaces can all help improve urban wildlife habitats as well as improving air quality and reducing air temperatures.