The buzzwords of the moment are “going green” and environmentally friendly design. Designers and homeowners alike are searching for novel strategies to lessen the environmental impact of our homes.
A glazed extension is the ideal way to connect the home and garden, making the transition between the two spaces seamless. As a result, designing a room that not only looks good but also has a low environmental impact should be a top priority.
Consequently, numerous brands, designers, and appliance manufacturers have made significant progress toward making it simple to design an eco-friendly, bespoke glazed extension.
Using sustainable materials to build the extension It’s important to look at the materials used to build the room before getting into the specifics of the room inside. Timber is a material that many designers use a lot. If it is sourced correctly, it has little effect on the environment. Accoya is one of the best examples of environmentally friendly timber that is also an excellent building material.
Accoya® is a novel type of wood that is made from Radiata pine, a fast-growing, readily available FSC® or PEFCTM-certified tree species. Acetylation, a chemical process that does not harm the environment and increases the strength of the pine, makes it far more long-lasting and stable than its original form. Additionally, the process of acetylation enhances the timber’s in-ground performance and paint retention, thereby reducing future maintenance requirements. Going Here
Accoya® is a Class 1 wood that is about as long-lasting as you can get. Accoya® is the ideal material for making an eco-friendly glazed extension due to the eco-friendliness of the timber.
The significance of glazing that is energy-efficient Given that popular extensions like orangeries, garden rooms, and conservatories are primarily made of glass, it is essential to ensure that they have the highest possible energy rating. Understanding U-values is essential when investigating the energy efficiency of windows.
What do U-Values mean?
A metric called U-values is used to determine a door or window’s insulation and energy efficiency. The window’s insulation and, consequently, its energy efficiency improve with a lower value. The U-value of the entire window or door, not just the central pane, is essential for homeowners who truly want to construct an energy-efficient glazed extension.
Alternative home energy solutions
One great way to reduce the environmental impact of a glazed extension is to install a variety of alternative energy sources. There are a variety of renewable energy sources to choose from, but which one is best for each property should be considered early in the design process.
Solar panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that can be used to power lighting, heating, and other household appliances. Solar panels can now be added to each individual tile, making them more discrete and subtle than the large, unsightly panels that sit on top of a roof. To ensure that the solar panels operate as efficiently as possible, it is essential to consider the roof’s orientation. However, as technology advances, direct sunlight is becoming less of a problem.
Wind turbines make use of the wind’s energy to generate electricity. A smaller turbine can be attached to a property’s roof, while a larger turbine can be erected on the ground in an appropriate location. The ability of wind turbines to store excess energy for times when there is less wind is one of their primary advantages; as a result, the property relies significantly less on traditional sources.
Ground source heat pumps heat buildings and supply hot water by utilizing heat stored in the earth. With the help of a ground heat exchange loop, a homeowner can make use of this eco-friendly source of energy throughout the entire year because the temperature below the ground rarely falls below 10 degrees Celsius, even in the winter.
Choosing the right kitchen appliances
One of the most common uses for a glazed extension is a kitchen or dining room because of its size and access to the garden. Most of the time, the appliances in a kitchen are the ones that use the most energy and have a big effect on the environment.
In order to make it simpler for homeowners to select the most eco-friendly option, energy efficiency ratings have been assigned to all home appliances. However, it is essential to take into account the appliance in its entirety, not just its energy rating. The size of the machine will altogether affect its energy utilization, for instance, two apparatuses could have a similar energy rating yet the bigger thing will, obviously, utilize the most energy. Therefore, it is essential to avoid “over-speccing” by selecting an appliance that meets the requirements of the household.