Sustainable developments don’t have to be expensive

Older homes can be upgraded to become energy efficient with features such as air-sealing or LED lighting 

People tend to think that carbon-negative buildings must cost more than a traditional building. AndyShell/Shutterstock

With the current unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, many trends have been accelerated, including sustainable properties and a healthier, more active lifestyle. As remote working and work-from-home arrangements become more widespread, consumers want smarter, cleaner, and energy-efficient homes.  

According to NRCAN, any home can be more efficient. New homes are being built to modern construction standards, but older homes can be upgraded to become energy efficient. Some features of an energy-efficient home include airtight construction, air-sealing, LED or ENERGY STAR lighting, better insulation, etc. People tend to think that carbon-negative buildings – developments that use renewable energy sources to generate energy – must cost more than a traditional building.  

However, Professor Jason Pomeroy, founding principal of Pomeroy Studio and Pomeroy Academy, has successfully demonstrated that sustainability doesn’t mean costly designs, but economic designs. As stated in the ARES digital White Paper Vol. 1., the ‘B House’, a carbon-negative home in Singapore, is known for promoting carbon wellbeing of the environment and the wellness of its inhabitants at an affordable price.  

But what can you do now to make your existing home more energy efficient? Green Home Guide indicates 9 ways to make your home more energy-efficient, some of which are to make sure your walls and attic are well insulated, upgrade or replace windows, plant shade trees and shrubs around your house, replace an older furnace with a high-efficiency system, improve the efficiency of your hot water system, and use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). 

Read more of “Talking carbon zero goals with Prof. Jason Pomeroy” at asiarealestatesummit.com/ares-digital-white-paper-vol-1/   

Write to our editors at [email protected]. 

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