What is sustainable housing?
The UK has an ambitious plan to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to net zero by 2050. To achieve this, many industries and sectors, including housing, will need to work in partnership with the government to come up with appropriate solutions. The most significant sustainability issues for houses are insulation to prevent heat egress and fuel or energy source switching to eliminate fossil fuel consumption. Traditional fossil-fuel-burning heating systems can be replaced with cleaner heating technologies such as heat pumps, or rely on hydrogen-enriched gas distribution networks that use green methane. Decentralised solutions would require each house to be sustainably self-sufficient or alternatively, local heat distribution networks can be used to capitalize on local or regional sources of renewable heat. Green methane is methane gas that has been produced from renewable energy sources like anaerobic digestors or from chemical conversion routes where carbon dioxide is reduced with green hydrogen or electrochemistry. Green hydrogen is generated from the electrolysis of water using renewable energy like wind or solar PV.
Why are tiny homes more sustainable than traditional homes?
Housing in the UK accounts for a fifth of the UK’s total carbon dioxide emissions. Given that there is a housing shortage the impact that new-build housing can have is potentially huge. This is where tiny houses have the potential to make a significant contribution.
Tiny houses are more sustainable than traditional homes for many reasons. They can use less energy to heat and cool, which reduces their carbon footprint. They also require fewer materials to build, so there is less of an impact on the environment. Some tiny houses are built with sustainable materials like bamboo or recycled materials and since they are so small, you don’t need as much building material, which reduces consumption and the potential for waste.
Heating and cooling a tiny house
When it comes to heating and cooling a tiny house, there are a few things to consider. The first is the size of the house. A tiny house is typically smaller than a traditional home, which means it has a higher exterior surface area in relation to its volume and will lose heat faster in the winter and gain heat faster in the summer. This can be offset by adding insulation to the walls and ceilings, as well as ensuring that all windows are properly sealed or multiple-layer glazed. As most tiny homes are custom built it is possible to ensure that a high standard of insulation is used and this prevents the need for retro-fits, which is a significant problem for the UK housing stock. Another thing to consider is the amount of sun exposure that the tiny house gets. Most tiny homes are mobile and can be moved to a sunny location in winter, where passive solar heating can be maximised to help keep the home warm. Similarly, moving the tiny home to a shady location can help keep the home cool in summer.
Tiny homes can have multiple ‘hookups’ that enable them to adapt to the available utilities and services available in different areas. This adaptability and versatility do come at an additional design and construction cost. Most tiny homes are newly built and can take advantage of using the latest generation of energy-efficient appliances.
Sustainable finances and lifestyles
Living in a tiny house is not only good for the environment, but it can also be good for your bank account. Families who downsize to a tiny house may find that they can save money on their mortgage, utility bills, and other expenses. Many people who move into tiny homes seem to connect with communities of sustainability-minded people and seem to live happier lives.
