You can do plenty if you want to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment recover. You can commit more to recycling. You can carpool or take public transportation. You can also choose to buy eco-friendly products.
But there is one other way that could allow you to create a greater contribution to the environment: Live in a smaller home.
More and more people across the world are discovering the multiple benefits of downsizing to a smaller home. In Australia, that means investing in affordable granny flats.
A granny flat is a self-contained extension of a home that is built on the same land as the main house. It was originally meant for elderly family members, and measures no more than 60 square metres, which is usually mandated by local councils. Because of its size, granny flats can help you live green.
A smaller home has less impact on the environment. You are able to maximise the use of each room; there are no extra bedrooms or areas to waste. Smaller homes like granny flats also require fewer resources and less energy to build.
Unlike traditional bungalows or massive houses that take up larger lands, which need more materials and tremendous energy to complete, smaller houses economise on both aspects of the construction.
Beyond those qualities, you also have the option to turn your small home even more eco-friendly. You can achieve this by choosing sustainably sourced and environmentally friendly materials such as bamboo. You can also go for repurposed materials for the features in your granny flat. For instance, an old door thrown away in the bin could find new life as cabinetry or even a table.
The right granny flats builders also offer green design that turns your small home into an energy efficient property. The location or placement of the structure could take advantage of wind movement or sunlight. This will allow you to save money on cooling and heating costs. With sufficient natural light, you might also save money on electrical bills.
Another possible option to living small and green with your granny flat is to consider using shipping container vans. This is an emerging trend in granny flats, which allows you to get so much more creative with the design. Also, it cuts down significantly on construction time since you already have a structure for the flat. It just has to get the right planning in terms of the layout, and connections for utilities.
Granny flats are tiny, yes. But they offer big benefits; chief among them is living an eco-friendly life. So consider downsizing without sacrificing the comforts of a proper home. And reduce your carbon footprint today.