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How to make your Algarve property more eco-friendly. Whether you are looking to add to your ever-growing real estate portfolio or taking your first steps into property investment abroad, the trend of eco-friendly properties is fast becoming the norm.
Becoming more environmentally friendly with your property investment has many benefits, along with being both incredibly rewarding and cost effective too.
Not only are you helping to look after the environment but you could also proffer from lower bills and increased energy efficiency, in addition to the property requiring less maintenance over time.
With Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura continuing to establish themselves as lucrative investment hotspots, it’s worth thinking about your own environmental impact and how you can transform your luxury villa or apartment into a more sustainable and eco-friendly home:
Improving or Upgrading Your Property’s Insulation
Depending on the properties age and whether these consideration points come as standard, the thought would be to upgrade your property’s insulation.
If your property possesses an attic, it’s worth installing high-quality insulation to reduce heat loss, especially in the colder months of winter, which in turn can also help the home become cooler over the summer period. The average daily temperature is 29 C which can increase each summer with a minimum of 21 C.
Another area to consider when upgrading your property’s insulation are the windows and doors. Most properties generally have double glazed and weather-strip doors to prevent drafts, but to go one step further in improving your thermal efficiency triple glazed windows could be considered.
Install Energy-Efficient Appliances
The life of luxury presents a stunning property with all the latest mod-cons, but are they energy efficient? Take your heating and cooling systems for example, if you’re investing in an older property it might be worth replacing old HVAC systems with energy-efficient models, such as those with a high SEER rating.
Other appliance recommendations could be switching to LED or CFL bulbs, which consume less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. In addition to installing Smart Thermostats to optimise heating and cooling based on occupancy and preferences. This can be helpful if you are looking to rent out the property to holidaymakers where the property could be empty for periods of time.
Reducing Your Water Usage
Conserving water saves energy and attempting to reduce your water use also reduces your carbon footprint.
Using less water keeps more in our ecosystems and helps to keep wetland habitats such as Ria Formosa which has long been a cornerstone of the golden triangle for many years.
Energy is needed to filter, heat and pump water to your home, so when you consider showerheads and faucets and how these are used, it’s worth installing low-flow alternatives to reduce water consumption without sacrificing performance – nobody likes a dribbling shower.
The same can be said for toilets in the property. With open space and plenty of rooms for growing families, luxury properties in Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura often possess a number of toilets in a property. Investing in dual-flush or low-flow models can save significant amounts of water in time.
It’s also worth noting that your property could also benefit from rainwater harvesting. Implementing rain barrels or an effective rainwater harvesting system to collect and use rainwater for irrigation could be a cost-effective exercise in the long run whilst becoming more eco-friendly.
Sourcing Renewable Energy
Solar energy can help you become more sustainable at home, use less carbon, and cut your electricity bills. It’s a growing trend among homeowners and it won’t be long before every resident joins the trend, whether they like it or not.
Photovoltaic Systems, for example, powering your home with solar panels is better for the environment than using fossil fuels and can reduce your reliance on the grid.
Furthermore, technology such as Solar Water Heaters uses solar energy to heat water, reducing the need for conventional water heating methods. Geothermal heat pumps are also worthwhile, using the earth’s stable temperature for efficient heating and cooling.
Recycling and Composting
More and more people recycle every day as they continue to realise the importance and the damaging effect it has on our planet if we simply ignore the signs.
But from your point of view, doing ‘your bit’ can help save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change. So, setting up your own comprehensive recycling program for paper, plastic, glass, and metals will go a long way to improving our planet. This should also be considered for composting organic waste.
Smart Home Technology
A smart home means your home has a smart home system that connects with your appliances to automate specific tasks and is typically remotely controlled. Setting up automation systems such as smart plugs and power strips helps you to control and monitor the energy usage of appliances.
An impressive feature of a smart home is controlling the property’s lighting, heating, cooling, and security systems efficiently and at the click of a button – luxury living at its finest. A similar process can also be implemented for the security and privacy of your home. After all, comfort and security go hand in hand.
By implementing these tactics for your next property investment in the heart of affluent areas in The Algarve, you can significantly reduce your environmental footprint, create healthier living spaces, and potentially increase property value through enhanced sustainability.
If you are looking to take the next step and invest in luxury real estate in Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo or Vilamoura, contact our team to find the right property for you that matches your requirements.
