Building/Renovating and Living Sustainably: A GUIDE
“The future depends on what we do in the present.”
getting started
Building or renovating a home that embraces planet-friendly principles is a powerful step towards a more sustainable future. However, it's important to acknowledge that embarking on this journey can sometimes feel overwhelming and challenging. The construction industry is vast and complex, filled with a bunch of outdated thinking, shourtcuts and unsustainable materials.
But by reading this guide, you've already taken the crucial first step towards making a positive impact — both for our planet and for yourself! So, well done!
The construction industry has long been reliant on traditional practices and materials, making it challenging to shift to new, sustainable alternatives. The fear of the unknown can make you and your builder hesitant, and the additional costs associated with planet-friendly options might raise concerns. Builders are always in a hurry, you should not be.
The Rewards of a Sustainable Home
Remember that the journey toward a greener home is filled with rewards that extend beyond the benefits to the planet. Opting for sustainable building practices and materials brings direct advantages to you and your family!
Short-term Saving: Buing reused materials and building components can really cut the costs drasitclly, but you need to have a lot of time to look and wait for the right stuff to surface, being a reused kitchen or roof tiles.
Long-Term Savings: While some sustainable options might have slightly higher upfront costs, they often yield significant long-term savings. Energy-efficient systems, such as solar panels or high-performance insulation, can drastically reduce utility bills over time.
Enhanced Quality of Life: A sustainable home offers improved comfort and living conditions. From better insulation that maintains consistent temperatures to natural lighting that boosts your mood, your home becomes a more pleasant and inviting space.
Better Indoor Air Quality: Traditional building materials often emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can compromise indoor air quality. By choosing eco-friendly materials, you create a healthier living environment, reducing the risk of allergies, respiratory issues, and other health concerns.
living in a Material world
Selecting suitable materials can significantly influence the environmental impact of your home. Reused materials is by far the most sustainable way of building, eliminating new carbon emissions, saving natural resouses and avoding emissons from waste disposal. The next best thing to do is to exclusivly use materials that store carbon, and your house becomes a carbon sink. That includes all wood materials, hemp and cellulose insulation and so on. If that for some reason is not an option, focus on materials with low embodied carbon, such as recycled steel and aluminium. Concrete unfortunaly is hard to reuse and creates lots of unavoidable carbon emissions in the manufacturing process.
Consider incorporating reused, recycled and upcycled materials into your building project. Doors and windows are easy and fun to find and reuse, and old products can actually be of higher quality than what is produced today. Take time (preferably months!) to thoroughly look trough online markets such as blocket or facebook marketplace, but also explore local salvage yards and architectural salvage stores (like Återbruket in Malmö) for hidden gems that can be repurposed creatively. Roof tiles is also easy to find, and somtimes you even find timber and metal roofing. Using reclaimed bricks not only adds a unique character to your home but also minimizes the need for energy-intensive brick manufacturing.
Concrete is an amazing material for its longevity and structural capabilities, but it also carries a heavy carbon footprint and is astonishingly hard to reuse. Only use concrete if you can’t avoid it! Examples of alternatives is fibreglass for foundations and cross-laminated timber (CLT) for structural parts. CLT is an engineered wood product that consists of layers of timber stacked at right angles and bonded together with adhesives. CLT panels provide structural stability, fire resistance, and excellent thermal performance. Using CLT for framing and load-bearing elements can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your building, as wood captures carbon dioxide during growth. Remember that there is wood houses that are hundreds of years old and that even huge buildings traditionally has been maily built in wood. The royal palace in Stockholm is a great example!
Here is a good website to learn more - https://www.sodra.com/sv/se/byggsystem'
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."
Don’t be passive about Passive design!
Passive design is an approach that harmonizes your living space with the natural environment, seamlessly blending sustainability and comfort. It's not just about reducing energy consumption; it's about creating a home that responds to the rhythm of the seasons, harnessing natural elements to regulate temperature, lighting, and overall ambience.
The sun is a powerful ally in passive design. By strategically positioning windows and openings, you can bathe your home in natural light. This not only reduces the need for artificial lighting but also enhances the mood and well-being of occupants. The changing angles of the sun throughout the day and seasons infuse your home with dynamic beauty, connecting you with the outdoors.
Well-insulated walls act as a protective barrier against external temperature fluctuations. They keep your home warm during chilly Swedish winters and pleasantly cool during the summer. Good insulation also shields you from external noise and disturbances, offering a peaceful retreat.
Energy-efficient windows, designed to minimise heat loss and maximise solar gain, are the unsung heroes of passive design. They capture and retain heat from the sun while preventing drafts and energy waste. Old reused windows can also be vastly improved energyvise. They can be reseald and/or the glass can be changed to energy efficient glass. Or (maybe the best solution) is to just add an extra simple sealed frame with efficiant glass on the inside of the old window.
FINDING THE ENERGY
Sweden's abundant natural resources make it an ideal location for harnessing renewable energy. By tapping into clean energy sources, you can not only reduce your carbon footprint but also contribute to the nation's goal of transitioning to a more sustainable energy landscape. Here are a few other examples of sustainable energy production methods that you can consider for your home:
Solar panels: When installed they create electricity almost for free for at least 25 years, covering your personal use and selling excess enery to the market. You also don´t have to have a building permit to install them.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Geothermal systems utilise the Earth's stable temperature below the surface to provide heating and cooling for homes. Geothermal heat pumps can efficiently regulate indoor temperatures by extracting heat from the ground during winter and releasing heat during summer. Combined with solarpanels that provides the electricity for the pumps it is a truely sustainable system.
Solar Thermal Systems: In addition to solar panels, consider solar thermal systems for producing hot water or even space heating. These systems capture the sun's energy to heat water, which can be used for domestic purposes or directed through underfloor heating systems. Mainly used in cabins or off-grid sites but do investigate to see if it can fit your needs.
Check out this website for more great info! - https://sweden.se/climate/sustainability/energy-use-in-sweden
What a waste!
The construction phase of building a home is a dynamic process filled with potential—for both creation and waste. Did you know that the construction industry is a significant contributor to global waste generation?
The construction industry is known for its resource-intensive nature, and it's no surprise that it generates a substantial amount of waste. In the European Union, the construction sector is responsible for approximately 30% of the total waste generated.
Globally, the statistics are just as telling. In some regions, the construction industry is responsible for producing even more waste. It's estimated that in the Asia-Pacific region, the construction sector generates up to 50% of the total solid waste. This staggering amount underscores the urgency of adopting waste reduction and recycling practices within the industry.
Follow these steps below:
BEFORE
Plan Thoughtfully: Create a detailed plan that outlines your construction or renovation project, including materials, designs, and waste management strategies. An architect can really help you with this!
Assess Existing Materials: If renovating, identify any materials that can be reused or repurposed, such as wood, fixtures, or appliances.
Select Sustainable Materials: Opt for eco-friendly, recycled, or reclaimed building materials to minimize the use of new resources.
DURING
Recycling and Reuse: Prioritize recycling over disposal. Separate materials that can be recycled and reused, such as scrap metal or excess wood.
Deconstruction: If tearing down existing structures, practice deconstruction instead of demolition. Deconstruction involves carefully dismantling materials for reuse or recycling.
Precise Measurements: Accurate measurements and careful planning can reduce overordering and minimize excess materials. Optimise cutting plans for materials like lumber to reduce waste.
planet first thinking!
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planet first thinking! 〰️
The future
In the journey toward building or renovating your dream home, you've delved into the world of sustainable living and construction. From choosing planet-friendly materials to embracing passive design, harnessing renewable energy sources, and implementing waste reduction practices, you've explored the many facets of creating a greener, healthier, and more harmonious living space. As you stand at the intersection of your aspirations and the planet's well-being, remember these key takeaways:
Each decision you make, whether it's opting for recycled materials, embracing passive design principles, or investing in renewable energy sources, contributes to a more sustainable future. The power of your choices extends beyond your home—it resonates with the broader movement toward responsible and mindful living.
Your commitment to sustainable construction and design serves as a source of inspiration. By being a steward of change, you're inspiring others around you—neighbours, friends, and even future generations—to take a stand for the planet. Your actions amplify the collective impact and contribute to a world where responsible choices are the norm.
Your commitment to sustainable living is a beacon of hope in a world that's navigating environmental challenges. It's a reminder that individual actions, when combined, can lead to profound change. The steps you've taken, the knowledge you've gained, and the choices you'll make are shaping a future where homes are more than just structures—they're sanctuaries that embrace the beauty of the natural world and nurture the well-being of all who inhabit them.
As you embark on this transformative journey, remember that you're not just building a home; you're crafting a sustainable future—one conscious choice at a time!!
