Is Building an Eco-Friendly and Sustainable House Expensive?

Over the past few decades, sustainable and green buildings have been increasingly growing in popularity. According to a recent survey, 57% of developers, contractors, and architects plan to make half of the future projects sustainable. They are staying up to date on a number of major green building practices that are gaining popularity in 2022.

This increase in popularity is credited to the upsurge of costs in running a home. In fact, heating, cooling, cleaning, and general home maintenance costs have seen a 17% increase over the past year alone. Energy costs are going to increase even further in the future. A lot of this is due to the fact that people are spending more time at home due to the pandemic. However, other factors are also at play. There’s also an increase in demand for home services, leaving many homeowners digging deeper in their pockets.

In addition, to the increased costs, the UK government has urged citizens to think about conserving energy and building sustainable homes. These efforts are one of the reasons that sustainability is the future of real estate. However, one of the significant roadblocks to 100% green homes is the myth that eco-friendly buildings are more expensive than conventional ones.

The following blog explains the actual costs of building and running eco-friendly and sustainable houses.

Building Costs

The cost of building an eco-friendly house ranges between 9% and 18% higher than that of their conventional counterparts, depending on their size and design. This increase in cost is attributable to the prices of energy-efficient building materials and appliances. So, the simple answer to the query is; Yes.

However, with only an 18% difference on the highest side, these items pay for themselves pretty much quickly by reducing a home’s running costs. In fact, according to the World Green Building Council, buildings that have achieved LEED certification in the world consume at least 25% less energy and save 11% more water than conventional buildings.

For homeowners, these statistics mean saving the cost of running a home by a considerable percent. Within a couple of years, the savings made by running an eco-friendly house will surpass the initial building cost and save you a great deal of money each year in the future.

Government Grants and Tax Credits

The UK government provides rebates and tax credits for people looking to buy and install energy-efficient products or build green homes. For instance, you will get a 5% reduction for shopping and services regarding energy-efficient products. Homeowners may also apply for a government grant not exceeding £10,000, only applicable for low-income households. The government also pays two-thirds of energy-efficient improvement, but for a maximum of £5,000.

These grants and tax credits are applicable for primary and secondary energy efficient measures, including roof insulation, double and triple glazing, and installation of thermostatic radiator valves. You can find other items that qualify for these grants when you visit a competitive marketplace for building materials. Depending on your house’s size and design. These grants could even reduce the initial cost of running your building.

Less Maintenance

Smaller and cheaper maintenance costs for a green building are among the most convincing advantages of owning an eco-friendly house. This is because green technology and materials are more durable than conventional materials, minimizing refurbishment and repairs. As a result, repairs, upkeep, and general maintenance are lesser than conventional homes.

For instance, removing hardwood flooring and installing bamboo will reduce the maintenance costs of your building. Bamboo flooring will also maintain the style and functionality of your wooden floors but without the intense maintenance requirements.

Besides the reduced maintenance, bamboo flooring comes at a significantly lower price when compared to hardwood floors.

Improved Health

When reducing the building’s impact on the environment, architects, contractors, and developers use the most environmentally-friendly materials they can find. They use materials like sealants, adhesives, and paints with low emissions. As a result, they reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. They also use enhanced insulation techniques, improved ventilation, and apply the best air sealing techniques, reducing foreign materials like dust, emissions, pollen, and chemicals.

In the end, these advanced green building techniques improve your indoor air by preventing allergies and respiratory diseases like asthma. As a result, living in an eco-friendly house becomes cheaper due to fewer medical bills than living in a conventional house. In addition, you as a homeowner get to enjoy your life with reduced stress and health woes.

The concept of eco-friendly buildings has been on the rise for decades now, and for good reason. These buildings are at the forefront of conserving the environment by reducing carbon footprint. Although they may have a higher initial cost than their conventional counterparts, they save significantly on home running costs due to reduced energy consumption and lesser maintenance. Reduced government tax also comes in handy in lowering home maintenance costs. More importantly, an eco-friendly house comes with a healthier life, thus low medical bills.