Scientists suggest that global warming will have caused our sea levels to have risen by 50cm by 2100. With snow melting at higher rates, increased rainfall and severe weather, they paint a bleak picture about what the future holds.
That’s why many of us are looking towards sustainable products – and that includes the homes we’re living in.
So what does the future hold for our ‘green’ buildings?
Building More Homes from Sustainable Materials
Over the next twenty years or so, we’re definitely going to see sustainable living grow, with the use of sustainable materials like polypropylene, building insulation, etc..
For example, there are organisations like Urban Hub who are trying to bring together like-minded individuals to tackle the challenges a lot of our cities, i.e. London and Manchester, face. They share solutions and put plans in place to create these greener areas.
And we can see great examples of green city living around the world. Take the Nanjing Towers in China, for example. Boasting clean and environmentally-friendly living, this construction generates 132lbs of oxygen each day thanks to its two vertical forests.
How Will the UK Adapt to These Green Changes?
Thankfully, sustainable urban projects are something we’re witnessing a lot closer to home, too. In 2014, a lot of developers said there were three key reasons they wanted to start developing these. One was how attractive these types of properties have become to buyers due to how eco-conscious we’re becoming, the second was the larger returns these types of properties offer, and the third was the tax breaks and funding options offered when you’re building ‘green’ structures.
So while developing sustainable buildings is more expensive than building standard properties, the potential ROI is far greater. And if this trend continues, it will bring the cost of building these types of properties down.
Rental Properties Can Follow Suit, Too
It isn’t just new properties where we’ll witness greener buildings, as tenants are looking for more sustainable buildings as well.
So those older properties that are being let out by many landlords are also undergoing vital changes that boost their eco-friendly qualities. Upgrades can be performed to an already standing building’s plumbing with the help of plumbers already familiarized with these materials and procedures. Same goes for other construction contractors as well. This improves their marketing ability with key property agents like Avison Young.
How do You Make a Rental Property More Sustainable?
You can start by improving its insulation, thus reducing how much heating is required – saving both money and energy. You can also introduce appliances that are energy-efficient, removing any that are outdated and drain vital energy resources. For example, even something as simple as changing old lightbulbs for energy-saving ones can save 80% on energy. Or introducing more recycling options where the local council is lacking.
If you wanted to get slightly more innovative, you could start using green supplies at these rented properties too. Solar panels are a hugely popular option, not only because they generate electricity but they can also generate income. In addition, after a construction or remodeling project, it’s best to have sustainable construction site clean up by recycling and reusing materials that are commonly thrown away.
Overall, then, the combined efforts of property developers, landlords, governments, councils, homebuyers and tenants will hopefully help create a far greener property market within the UK and much further afield.
