How to build 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 AgroCorrn 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 environmentally friendly 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.

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 an ecological and self-sufficient home requires a larger budget , so 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 using 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.

In the same sense mentioned above, the orientation of the house and the arrangement of the rooms will also be decided based on the weather (more or less wind, rain, temperatures, etc.) and the solar path throughout the year. Specifically, to know what the solar angle is, we must obtain the solar chart, a diagram of the sun’s path 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 an intelligent distribution of windows, doors, large windows, porches, terraces and other elements and materials as required for more or less 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.

The fact of improving our goal will require the use of clean energies to cover the air conditioning needs of the house. 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 of the environment and use that clean energy as a source that provides electricity.

The biogas or solar cooker can also be an excellent solution, as it uses renewable sources that can come from our garden or natural biomass from companies that sell it, in which case the alleged self-sufficiency would suffer.

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 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.

Wood is an 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 with glass bottles.

It should also be taken into account that materials that last a lifetime are more environmentally friendly, because they do not become waste. In any case, it is preferable that they are 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 efficient appliances must be purchased , and heating, cooling, and water heaters must obtain 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 orientation of the house 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.

It is necessary to take advantage of the 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.

Purifying water , either to make it suitable for human consumption, for irrigation, to recycle or reuse it once it has been used, 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 to accumulate 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 .