There is a growing demand for a more eco-friendly approach to construction and home improvement coming from the industry and clients. Arc Design Services has already won several awards for a sustainable approach to energy efficiency and by using techniques, such as Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), recognises the significance of adopting this approach whenever possible. We have put together a few suggestions, which will help when considering any improvements, extensions or new builds for your home:

Energy Consumption

With fossil fuels declining, considering alternative fuel supplies has to be at the top of the list and can pay for themselves through options such as government initiatives. Green energy is obvious, but there are many alternatives to green energy, such as biomass, solar, ground source and air intake. Determining factors for which source works best will depend on your budget, size of property and orientation.

However, it’s not just about the source - an eco-friendly design methodology will also minimise energy consumption. Factors to reduce energy inputs for heating, cooling and light, should be examined, including energy-efficient appliances. Taking a long-term approach will become increasingly important as fossil fuel rates continue to rise.

Thermal Imaging

For existing houses, it can be difficult to determine how to improve energy consumption, however, through thermal imaging heat loss, cold spots and damp can be pinpointed, and this can highlight priority areas for improvements.

Heat Loss

Conducting a house survey with thermal imaging is ideal to check for heat loss through windows, front door, back door and patio windows. Actual photographs depict the colours to show the results, for example, the colour red shows the heat loss incurred through particular windows.

Cold Spots

For rooms that are always cold but where it is hard to identify the cause, a room survey will identify the specific areas that need to be treated. The thermal imaging camera will detect the area and, through photographs, indicate where there is no insulation through, which shows as a purple colour.

Damp Issues

Identifying the cause of damp can be a major concern and difficult to pinpoint. Through a thermal imaging heat loss and damp issue survey, photography will determine in red the areas of weakness in a specific location, which can then be treated.

Building Healthier Homes

Modern day, green buildings are known for having good ventilation, non-toxic products, and materials, as well as breathable walls. All of these factors are known to help to prevent common conditions such as asthma, headaches, depression, eczema, palpitations and chronic fatigue syndrome, from which many people suffer. All of these symptoms have been related to chemical pollutants, as well as biological pollutants, due to poor air circulation, which are known to occur in traditional building techniques. So building green doesn’t just mean a healthier planet, it means a healthier family.

Natural Progression

Incorporating eco-friendly building techniques and materials should no longer be seen as a luxury, or a wish list but as a necessity for our future. Through adopting new techniques, such as ICF, which is the most energy-efficient and disaster resilient material on the market today, the future, your way of life and home living can be improved significantly.

Should you wish to know more about our eco-friendly architectural design services, please visit www.arcdesignservices.net or call 0161 928 4433.