Greener homes at lower cost?

With discussions of the effects of escalating climate change globally, sustainability has become a buzzword in the real estate industry. While the cost of the sustainability of a home remains a significant concern for many investors and homeowners, a construction expert said that it should not be.

Andrew Payton, director of AJP Constructions, said it was "ridiculous" for builders to charge a premium for making homes more durable. Payton said that homeowners and investors can maximize the planning stage of building a home to ensure that the finished housing is built to require less energy and lead to lower costs. lower costs.

"The facts are that by applying smart planning early, you can build a high-end property faster to build and less expensive to operate," he said. “The owners want to reduce their operating expenses in times of high cost of living. For investors, saving money means they can get a much better return on their investment property. "

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One of the very first things that investors should consider is the design of the house. Understanding the orientation and exposure could potentially reduce heating and cooling costs to a substantial level, said Payton. Smart design elements such as eaves protrusions and patio roof lengths should be taken into account to achieve maximum energy savings.

"The open plan is great, but if the orientation and exposure to the sun is wrong, you may end up paying a lot more in operating costs. Many small changes can have a big impact on the costs of placing windows to avoid "dead space" in underutilized rooms, "said Payton.

Blurring the line between the inside and the outside can also do the trick. One way to create additional space is to open up to a patio or patio, which could also lower operating costs, said Payton.

"By using the right materials for your openings – stackable solar tinted glass doors or stronger folding shutters – you can just reduce the space when it's not needed and isolate the area that you heat and cool, "he said.

Another crucial strategy is to choose the right materials for the home. For example, there is a growing trend to use cross-laminated wood for the frame of the house.

"Because it is cheaper to produce and easier to work than steel or concrete, it is a saving on your construction budget. We also found that the frames CLTs are quicker to erect than traditional frames because they come in the form of panels, "Payton said.

Homeowners should also invest in quality fixtures and fittings to avoid skyrocketing costs in the long run.

"It may seem counterintuitive to cut costs, but it's often worth choosing recognized brand name home appliances with excellent durability. The same goes for finishes – good quality, durable carpet, tile, wood and paint pays for itself pretty quickly, "said Payton.

At the end of last year, the Property Council of Australia and the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) released a toolkit to transform Australian homes, workplaces and other buildings in low carbon, high performance structures while cost effectively reducing

According to the Property Council, buildings account for more than 50% of Australia's electricity consumption and 25% of carbon emissions, which makes it necessary to set up a overall action plan.

"Energy efficiency has been the forgotten part of energy policy for the past decade as governments debated energy supply. With the right policy frameworks in place, we can minimize the costs of transitioning to zero net emissions and creating economic opportunities in all parts of the industry, from independent traders and homeowners to large businesses, "said director general of the Real Estate Board , Ken Morrison.

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