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Location and design – choose them wisely

Location, location, location

The location of your self build property can make a huge difference to the overall carbon level released.

To be energy efficient, think about the following things when choosing your location, and design your house with these in mind:

Use the elements

When looking at plots, think about the elements around that could be used for greener energy.

Water

If you are by a stream, you can use hydro power for your energy needs.

Be prepared for rain - a rainwater harvesting system will collect and clean rainwater before pumping it to your house. This can then be used in toilets, washing machines and on your garden.

Rainwater harvesting is cheap, and has a quick payback.

Wind

A plot with enough space and wind for a wind turbine would enable you to use the wind to generate most of the electricity needed in your house.

Wood

If the plot has a ready source of wood pellets, you can use a biomass boiler. With 90% efficiency, a biomass boiler is almost carbon neutral.

The amount of CO₂ put back into the atmosphere when burning wood pellets is lower than the amount taken out during photosynthesis.

Land

If there is enough land for a ground source heat pump, this would draw heat energy from well below the ground, in order to provide ALL the heating and hot water for your house.

Sun

If there is an area of the land that catches the sun, use this heat energy to make electricity. A south facing roof catches the sun more than any other side.

If possible, design with this in mind so you can make the most of your solar hot water heating.

Make a choice

When designing your home, take into account the elements available and draw these into the designs. Position your house to make the most of the elements.