4 Tips for Designing Eco-Friendly Homes in Coastal Environments

Eco-friendly homes are defined by their reduced carbon footprint, in comparison to other traditional structures. An eco-friendly home has a lessened reliance on external energy sources and a boosted capacity to capture or create its own. 

Meanwhile, although building in a coastal environment has its benefits (incredible views, clear air, lifestyle perks, creative possibilities, etc.,), there are some corrosion and rust challenges as well.

Let’s take a look at 4 tips for designing eco-friendly homes in coastal environments.

Be Mindful of the Ecosystem

When construction is being done near natural areas, it’s vital for everyone involved to be extra mindful. Any construction in a beach town could disrupt its natural ecosystem and affect the habitat of the region’s fauna and flora. But there are ways to do as little damage as possible.

Opt for a smaller footprint for your home to conserve the biodiversity around it. Smaller houses have the potential to lower per-person energy consumption significantly compared to a traditional-size home. You always have the option to expand upwards in the future and add another story to your home.

A downsized home helps homeowners save money on utilities. Additionally, someone with an intentionally tiny home is automatically more inclined to reduce their overall energy and water consumption, recycle more, and focus on consuming local food.

Another way to keep the local ecosystem in mind while designing is to accommodate the landscape in the design. Perhaps there are a high number of trees scattered or bunched in the area. Work with an architect to create a floorplan that preserves this beautiful natural greenery, instead of wiping it away. 

For example, consider utilizing the nearby trees to shield your home from the extreme winds and sun that are side effects of living in a coastal environment.

Make Use of Renewable Energy

Coastal homes mean greater access to naturally occurring renewable energy sources. Wind, sun, and water are in abundance by the ocean!

Your house will likely receive ample bright sunlight to charge solar panels to provide your seaside home with power. A bonus is that a solar energy system will add a lot to your home’s resale price, and you’ll cut down dramatically on energy bills!

Rooftop solar panels are fantastic for improving your roof’s lifespan. Your roof will be protected from the harsh elements at the coast, including rain, snow, and debris. Additionally, rooftop solar panels reduce your home’s need for air conditioning in the hot summer months, since your roof won’t be hit directly by the heat of the sun.

The strong winds associated with coastal living will come in handy when you’re trying to achieve your energy efficiency requirements for a Section J Report. Install a residential wind turbine near the house and you’ll improve your home’s energy efficiency tenfold.

A handy side tip we have for you is to take advantage of the high rainfall you’ll typically experience living by the ocean. Install a rainwater harvesting system to collect and store the frequent and heavy rainfall to use for gardening, washing, etc.

Make Your Home Smart

Smarten up your home by installing automation-based technology and energy-efficient appliances. 

The general definition of a smart home is a home that is equipped with a digital, artificial intelligence system. This system can connect with various appliances and automate certain tasks and housework that are usually reserved for humans.

Smart technology uses artificial intelligence to monitor and report on your home’s energy consumption. These systems can detect unnecessary electricity and water consumption and reduce it. 

Install a sensor-based lighting system that automatically turns off when not in use. Or purchase smart technology that allows you to schedule when lights, thermostats, HVAC systems, etc., are turned off and on.

A simple glazed window and door treatment goes a long way to manage your home’s temperature and lessen its carbon footprint and reliance on the grid. Glazed windows naturally keep the interior of your home cooler. Meanwhile, you can still cherish the glorious, unhindered views of the sea you’ve planted your home right next to.

Use Sustainable Building Materials

It’s not an easy endeavour to maintain a home by the beach. The primary reason is the propensity for exterior corrosion from extreme humidity and salt-laden coastal winds. However, there are ways to combat this. And there are ways to do it sustainably.

Make sure your building and insulation materials are sustainable and eco-friendly, yet strong, durable, and resilient. 

Bamboo is a versatile building material that takes 3-4 months to reach its full height when growing. It can also be planted almost anywhere and still thrive. Meanwhile, other trees that are traditionally used for timber take approximately 30 years or more to reach full maturity. And both serve the same purpose! 

Whether you’ve used bamboo, reclaimed wood, or another eco-friendly material, you’ll need to coat the exterior of your coastal home with high-quality, anti-corrosion paint. 

Opt for an eco-friendly and low VOC (volatile organic compound) version of your ideal paint colour. Low-VOC paint releases a minimal amount of VOCs into the environment. Thus, it’s environmentally more sustainable, as well as better for your health!