FAQ
What is a sustainable/eco/green home?
Sustainable, eco and green are words that are used interchangeably. We prefer to use the word sustainable. A sustainable home is generally accepted as being one that has as little as possible impact on the environment. So, it will be naturally well insulated and ventilated which obviates the need for energy-hungry air conditioning. It will be constructed using materials that have a low environmental impact, such as wood from sustainably forested sources. Lighting will be provided through natural and low-energy solutions.
It may well have provisions for generating its own electricity or hot water from renewable sources e.g. the sun, wind, ground heat, air source heat and micro-hydro. Technologies utilised to generate electricity include solar panels, wind turbines, and ground source heat. Air flow taps and low flush toilets may be installed. Grey water (from the bath/shower) may well be collected and reused in toilets and washing machines. Recycling facilities may be built into the house.
Ultimately, a sustainable home will be energy efficient, and may generate its own electricity and heat; will minimise the use of water, and recycle it in many cases; and it will be constructed using building materials that are sustainably sourced, from renewable sources where possible, and with the minimum possible environmental impact in terms of its manufacture and installation.
Why should I buy a sustainable/eco/green home?
I am an investor
Sustainable homes are the future of all property worldwide. Almost every country is implementing legislation that mandates that residential properties become more energy efficient. Those properties being built with sustainable technologies are in the vanguard. Their value will appreciate at an increased rate, simply because they are more 'future proofed' than an existing house; they cost less to heat and operate because they are better built and installed with low energy technologies; and often they do not cost more to purchase than a conventional house because the market will not bear a price uplift.
I am buying a permanent home
Sustainable homes built today in the UK, and in many countries overseas, are at least 25% more energy efficient that housing stock built pre-2006. In an ever increasing number of cases they will be more than 44% more energy efficient. Therefore, residents' heating and electricity costs will be less. Some new sustainable home can cost a nominal annual sum to run, while others are cash positive because they generate and sell to the National Grid more electricity than they use.
New sustainable homes provide a healthier environment for families, couples and retirees because they are better insulated, retaining the heat better in colder climates; and built with natural materials, in many cases, which have a less harmful impact on one’s health. If you are concerned about CO2 emissions, new sustainable homes emit at least 25% less CO2 than a conventionally built home. In most cases that is a saving of at least one tonne of CO2 per household annually, as the UK yearly average is six tonnes per household.
I am buying a holiday home
Sustainability is bringing the skill, care and quality back into development. The eco homes of today are stylish, beautifully finished invariably with light and warm spaces in which to live. if you buy a sustainable property built by a Sustain Worldwide member you can be assured that your carbon footprint will be considerably less than if you bought a conventionally built property in the same vicinity.
Often referred to as the new luxury, these properties achieve a premium on rental yields; and often they do not cost more to purchase than a conventional house because the current property market will not bear a price uplift.
You will find that your electricity and heating bills are considerably less, in most cases, because the homes will be built with better thermal insulation and may have renewable energy technologies installed.
Other benefits of buying a sustainable home include a healthier environment for families, couples and retirees. CO2 emissions will be less, which is important if the issue of climate change matters to you. These homes offer higher rental yields and represent a strong legacy purchase for future generations to enjoy in comparison to a conventionally built home. And, for many people, best of all is that sustainable homes hold a premium, which (in the current market) is not reflected in the purchase price.
I am retiring
If you are living in your home country or abroad your carbon footprint needn’t be any more than it is in your existing property. And, if you buy a sustainable home it will probably be considerably less energy inefficient than your permanent home, particularly if that is an older building.
Other benefits include a better thermal performance, meaning the air temperature will remain more constant i.e. cool in summer if you are in a hot country and pleasantly warm in winter without the need to turn up the air-con or heating. A further advantage of good insulation and construction will be reduced electricity and heating bills.
You will also find when buying a sustainable home that you are likely to experience improved health and well being because less toxic materials are used in the construction of eco homes. And because the internal air temperature is more ambient it is a much more pleasant living experience.
These homes are built with care and quality. In a world that has become progressively short-sighted sustainable homes offer a true legacy.
Why should I buy a property from a member of Sustain Worldwide?
Sustain Worldwide’s members are many of the most forward thinking developers throughout the world, building homes, communities and resorts in England, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Brazil, Kenya, Montenegro, Switzerland and Thailand.
Our member developers are designing and building sustainably and in consideration of their impact on the environment and local communities.
We believe Sustain Worldwide's member developers are the leading developers in the world because of their commitment to building homes and communities that take into account their environmental and social impact.
10 reasons why the next permanent, second, retirement or investment property you buy should be one of Sustain Worldwide’s member developers' homes is because they:
If you are buying a permanent, second or holiday, retirement or investment property anywhere in the world, given the above benefits, why wouldn’t you buy a sustainable home from a member of Sustain Worldwide?
Sustain Worldwide’s member developers in numbers
Sustainable, eco and green are words that are used interchangeably. We prefer to use the word sustainable. A sustainable home is generally accepted as being one that has as little as possible impact on the environment. So, it will be naturally well insulated and ventilated which obviates the need for energy-hungry air conditioning. It will be constructed using materials that have a low environmental impact, such as wood from sustainably forested sources. Lighting will be provided through natural and low-energy solutions.
It may well have provisions for generating its own electricity or hot water from renewable sources e.g. the sun, wind, ground heat, air source heat and micro-hydro. Technologies utilised to generate electricity include solar panels, wind turbines, and ground source heat. Air flow taps and low flush toilets may be installed. Grey water (from the bath/shower) may well be collected and reused in toilets and washing machines. Recycling facilities may be built into the house.
Ultimately, a sustainable home will be energy efficient, and may generate its own electricity and heat; will minimise the use of water, and recycle it in many cases; and it will be constructed using building materials that are sustainably sourced, from renewable sources where possible, and with the minimum possible environmental impact in terms of its manufacture and installation.
Why should I buy a sustainable/eco/green home?
I am an investor
Sustainable homes are the future of all property worldwide. Almost every country is implementing legislation that mandates that residential properties become more energy efficient. Those properties being built with sustainable technologies are in the vanguard. Their value will appreciate at an increased rate, simply because they are more 'future proofed' than an existing house; they cost less to heat and operate because they are better built and installed with low energy technologies; and often they do not cost more to purchase than a conventional house because the market will not bear a price uplift.
I am buying a permanent home
Sustainable homes built today in the UK, and in many countries overseas, are at least 25% more energy efficient that housing stock built pre-2006. In an ever increasing number of cases they will be more than 44% more energy efficient. Therefore, residents' heating and electricity costs will be less. Some new sustainable home can cost a nominal annual sum to run, while others are cash positive because they generate and sell to the National Grid more electricity than they use.
New sustainable homes provide a healthier environment for families, couples and retirees because they are better insulated, retaining the heat better in colder climates; and built with natural materials, in many cases, which have a less harmful impact on one’s health. If you are concerned about CO2 emissions, new sustainable homes emit at least 25% less CO2 than a conventionally built home. In most cases that is a saving of at least one tonne of CO2 per household annually, as the UK yearly average is six tonnes per household.
I am buying a holiday home
Sustainability is bringing the skill, care and quality back into development. The eco homes of today are stylish, beautifully finished invariably with light and warm spaces in which to live. if you buy a sustainable property built by a Sustain Worldwide member you can be assured that your carbon footprint will be considerably less than if you bought a conventionally built property in the same vicinity.
Often referred to as the new luxury, these properties achieve a premium on rental yields; and often they do not cost more to purchase than a conventional house because the current property market will not bear a price uplift.
You will find that your electricity and heating bills are considerably less, in most cases, because the homes will be built with better thermal insulation and may have renewable energy technologies installed.
Other benefits of buying a sustainable home include a healthier environment for families, couples and retirees. CO2 emissions will be less, which is important if the issue of climate change matters to you. These homes offer higher rental yields and represent a strong legacy purchase for future generations to enjoy in comparison to a conventionally built home. And, for many people, best of all is that sustainable homes hold a premium, which (in the current market) is not reflected in the purchase price.
I am retiring
If you are living in your home country or abroad your carbon footprint needn’t be any more than it is in your existing property. And, if you buy a sustainable home it will probably be considerably less energy inefficient than your permanent home, particularly if that is an older building.
Other benefits include a better thermal performance, meaning the air temperature will remain more constant i.e. cool in summer if you are in a hot country and pleasantly warm in winter without the need to turn up the air-con or heating. A further advantage of good insulation and construction will be reduced electricity and heating bills.
You will also find when buying a sustainable home that you are likely to experience improved health and well being because less toxic materials are used in the construction of eco homes. And because the internal air temperature is more ambient it is a much more pleasant living experience.
These homes are built with care and quality. In a world that has become progressively short-sighted sustainable homes offer a true legacy.
Why should I buy a property from a member of Sustain Worldwide?
Sustain Worldwide’s members are many of the most forward thinking developers throughout the world, building homes, communities and resorts in England, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Brazil, Kenya, Montenegro, Switzerland and Thailand.
Our member developers are designing and building sustainably and in consideration of their impact on the environment and local communities.
We believe Sustain Worldwide's member developers are the leading developers in the world because of their commitment to building homes and communities that take into account their environmental and social impact.
10 reasons why the next permanent, second, retirement or investment property you buy should be one of Sustain Worldwide’s member developers' homes is because they:
- Save you money in electricity and heating bills
- Make you money if you sign up for 'feed-in-tariffs'
- Provide a high quality of life, and health and well-being benefits
- Are iconic and timeless in architecture, landscape and design
- Are among the most energy efficient properties in the marketplace
- Have a lessened impact on the environment than existing properties
- Are designed with the latest sustainable technologies inbuilt
- Future proofed, which means you won’t need to retrofit renewable technologies
- Don’t necessarily cost any more to buy than a conventionally built home - and sell for more than a conventional property
- Leave a positive lasting legacy for your children and grandchildren
If you are buying a permanent, second or holiday, retirement or investment property anywhere in the world, given the above benefits, why wouldn’t you buy a sustainable home from a member of Sustain Worldwide?
Sustain Worldwide’s member developers in numbers
- Tonnes of CO2 saved at members’ resorts and communities compared to a conventionally built resort = 4,650 tonnes (equivalent to taking 1,550 cars permanently off the road)
- Green jobs created directly i.e. during construction and operationally at members’ resorts and communities = 46,666 persons worldwide
- Combined real estate retail sales value of member developers = in excess of £4.25billion
