Blog>Expert Advice>Eco house design: how to create your green home
Last updated: 31 March 2023
Eco house design: how to create your green home
Whether you're designing a new build, renovating your existing home, or looking for environmentally-friendly upgrades, eco-house design and sustainability are hot topics for house builders now more than ever.
In this article you'll find:
What is eco house design?
Eco house design, or sustainable house designs, are built and designed in a way that minimises their environmental impact.
This can typically be achieved by using materials and technology that:
Reduce the building's carbon footprint
And increase its energy efficiency
But eco house designs aren't limited to the classic Grand Designs eco house or the 'gold standard' energy-efficient Passive Houses. There are many ways you can make an existing property more environmentally friendly too, which we'll also look at in this article.
Key features of an eco home:
Eco friendly house designs will normally include:
High levels of insulation
Renewable energy sources
Smart technology
Water conservation systems
Energy-efficient appliances
Sustainable materials
Natural light
Mechanical ventilation
Airtight building fabric
Low cost eco-friendly house designs and upgrades
While some homeowners dream of building an eco friendly house from scratch, there are plenty of ways to make your home more environmentally friendly with a more modest budget.
Insulation
Insulating your loft, walls, and ceilings with an environmentally-friendly material, such as cellulose or sheep's wool will make your home more energy efficient and save you money on your energy bills.
Check out our guide to understand the cost of insulating your home.
Renewable energy
Some of the most common ways to use renewable energy sources within the home include solar power, wind, the heat of the earth (geothermal), and plant materials (biomass).
Solar panels are a great way to generate free energy and reduce the carbon footprint of your home. However, they can be pricey to buy and install.
How much does solar panel installation cost in 2025?
The electricity that your panels generate is a natural source of energy that has the ability to power your home.
Heat pumps are a fantastic means to reduce your energy bills and make your home greener.
There are different types of heat pumps to choose from. These include:
A biomass boiler is a significant initial investment, with the supply and fit costing an average of £16,000, but the ongoing fuel costs are much lower. It's worth comparing the costs of biomass boilers with others.
Smart technology
Smart technology gives you more control over your energy usage, helping to reduce your costs.
Items such as smart thermostats, smart lightbulbs, and smart appliances link to your personal devices to help improve the energy performance of your home.
What’s the average cost of a smart thermostat in the UK?
Smart thermostats can be a great way to reduce your energy bills and gain more control over your home’s heating. But what’s the average cost of a smart thermostat in the UK?
Energy-efficient appliances
Energy-efficient appliances will help to save water, lower your energy costs, and reduce your carbon footprint.
Appliances are tested for how much energy they use during typical use and are graded on a scale of A to G. A is the most efficient and G the least.
The Energy Saving Trust is a great resource for learning more about the ins and outs of energy-saving home appliances.
Energy-efficient windows
This popular eco home improvement will not only reduce your energy consumption through better insulation, but it carries other benefits too.
Noise reduction, reduced condensation, and increased home value are all valid reasons to invest in this eco upgrade.
Find out more about choosing the best energy-efficient windows and the cost of this project.
Making small eco house plans more affordable
Retrofitting your existing property with more energy-efficient systems and measures is best tackled by a professional tradesperson.
Our guide to retrofitting a house to make it more energy-efficient explains the typical costs involved.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
To help reduce the cost of these projects, keep an eye on the energy grants available for eco-home improvements:
Energy grants available in 2025
The latest information from the government is that they are investing £12 billion in Help to Heat schemes to make sure homes are warmer and cheaper to heat. This includes the: Boiler Upgrade Scheme Energy Company Obligation (ECO) This funding is not delivered directly by the government, but through
Building an eco friendly house
According to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, heating and powering buildings accounts for 40% of the UK's total energy usage.
New building regulations have therefore been implemented to help work toward's the government's target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
How is modern eco house design more sustainable?
The good news is, many home builders now prioritise sustainability. Not just in the operation of the finished property, but the way in which it is constructed_._
Whether it be small eco house plans, such as eco cottage plans or eco-friendly bungalow designs, or something grander, architects and designers will factor in the following considerations for a modern eco home:
An insulated and airtight structure
The first step to building an eco friendly house is to make sure your structure won't leak heat. Materials such as brick and concrete will help to maintain an ambient internal environment and reduce energy consumption.
Powered by renewables
Next, map in renewable energy sources to heat and power your home in the most environmentally-friendly way.
Maximise natural light
Through clever planning and design, your architect can use windows to help reduce the need for artificial lighting.
Sustainable materials
For every aspect of your eco house, consider the sustainability of both the building materials and furniture.
Opt for natural materials, locally sourced where possible, that have official certification where sustainable claims are made.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
Nature-friendly house designs
The icing on the cake with your eco house design is to incorporate elements that are kind to flora and fauna.
A qualified landscape gardener can help you to design the optimum outside space for both you to enjoy and biodiversity to thrive.
A green roof is another great use of space that provides a natural habitat for plants, animals and insects. Find out more about the cost of green roofs.
Guide to green roofs
Thinking of installing a green roof? It’s such an exciting idea, to have a roof that is bursting with life and greenery rather than plain old tiles or slates. Green roofs offer lots of benefits, from helping to insulate your home to boosting biodiversity. Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about green roofs, including the pros, cons, costs and other considerations.
FAQs
How much does it cost to build an eco-house in the UK?
There are many variables that impact the cost of building an eco-house in the UK. We recommend getting quotes from qualified professionals
Are eco houses expensive to build?
Eco-houses can be expensive to build, but the initial investment will pay dividends in the long run. For example, solar panels will cost a fair sum to buy and install, but you'll save money on your energy bills in the long run.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job