Technology has become deeply and widely embedded in practically all facets of our daily lives: from religion to the arts, to engineering, healthcare, communication, and commerce. In fact, from the moment you wake up (that alarm in your phone or table clock) to the time you go to bed (the thermostat in your air conditioning system), you have a piece of technology working to make your life easier and more comfortable.
Additionally, climate change has entered mainstream consciousness in recent years, with the likes of Greta Thunberg and Leonardo DiCaprio championing the global calls for more sustainable ways of living and doing business. With the increasingly stronger and more violent typhoons and hurricanes to unpredictable climate patterns across the world, it’s now obvious that the human race has finally reached a critical point in its existence.
If you want to do your part in making things more sustainable and turning your home into a future-ready private sanctuary, here are six great ways to do it:
- Invest in renewable energy sources. These days, factories, government offices, malls, and private residences are being fitted with wind and solar power systems. These renewable energy sources are both a tool to make your home eco-friendly and future-proof at once. Since most of our power plants right now from where we get the electricity for our power-hungry machinery use finite fossil fuel, time will come when they will run out. When that time comes, homes and structures fitted with these renewable energy power sources are the only ones that will thrive and survive.
- Buy smart home products. There is no shortage of domestic products that feature smart technology these days — from motion-activated alarm and lighting systems to smart speakers and mobile app-controllable home heaters. While they are cost-prohibitive by most standards, the features they have and the benefits they offer are good enough reasons to make the necessary financial investment. In the future, the majority of homes (at least in high-income cities and countries) will most likely be fitted with products that have smart technology in them, so better start future-proofing your home now if you have the money to spend.
- Get serious with your home insulation. While not as jaw-dropping as flashy smart home products, specially-designed insulation for homes are nonetheless as impressive. An excellent example is the groundbreaking Fairwood Commons low-cost housing project in Columbus, Ohio. The housing facility for seniors features thick insulation that regulates inside temperatures throughout the year. This means that occupants inside will stay comfortably cool during summer and warm and cozy during winter. You can have the same technology in your home by tapping a company that specializes in residential insulation. This will not only make you comfortable all-year-long but also help bring down your monthly heating and cooling costs.
- Use natural and reclaimed materials extensively. Whether you’re building your home from scratch, retrofitting it, or making some improvements, it’s critical to mind your carbon footprint. You can do so by using reclaimed materials like discarded wood and scrap metals, as well as natural construction materials such as bamboo and clay brick. These building materials will let you create a home with a low carbon footprint, something that the environment will thank you for.
- Install flood barriers. Future-proofing a home doesn’t only mean buying some fancy home electronics fitted with voice recognition technology or any other smart home appliances. Rather, it also involves installing protective features that would safely keep occupants and valuables in the event of natural calamities such as flooding. As mentioned, among the ill effects of changing climate patterns are increasingly erratic and violent storms. If your home is located in a flood plain, then you must install flood barriers to future-proof it against damaging flooding in the future. There are plenty of manufacturers offering flood barriers right now, so getting the perfect one that addresses your needs and budget should be fuss-free.
- Invest in flexible accommodation amenities. Flexible accommodation amenities simply refer to a home that allows for multigenerational living, as well as work-from-home setups. The recent pandemic specifically challenged homeowners who were forced to work remotely and look after their aging parents at the same time. Among other things, you should include accessibility features such as wheelchair ramps and handrails, as well as chairlifts and open layout interior construction. You should also have a reliable home internet connection and a backup one, apart from a desktop and a laptop for redundancy.
By following these tips, you’ll surely have an easy time future-proofing and making your home sustainable.
