Build a self-sufficient ecological house is possible, although it still some  overcome obstacles such as the price of the materials, but it is also true that successful projects that have used recycled materials and resorted to ingenious energy production systems.

A green home is constructed with sustainable materials. If, in addition, we want that it is self-sufficient, i.e. ecological in a fuller sense, must generate their own power, take advantage of rainwater and reuse.

Thanks to a generation of energy and with a smart application that includes eco-friendly habits, you try to minimize spending energy and materials, at the time you can achieve  savings. I.e., the goal is win independence and care so our pockets as well as the planet.

Aspects to take into account

Since there is not a self-sufficient house model, we must rely on a set of key principles that will help us to design our own project to get the long-desired self-sufficiency or independence energy.

With laudable exceptions that today are anecdotal, build a self-sufficient ecological housing normally requires more expenses, though its subsequent depreciation will make more gentle this first hit.

On the other hand, if we want to reduce the consumption of energy and also generate it, a common goal, we will have to decide how we are going to do so, resorting to some or other technologies depending on the characteristics of the area, as it is more or less rainy, windy or sunny.

At the same time, the House must be isolated using sustainable materials, as well as to reinforce this point with the installation of green roofs and vertical gardens in facades and also in the interior of the House. Another aspect of crucial importance to the exploitation of natural resources that give us the area, and this requires the investigation of the possibilities of the environment, because there could be natural springs or wells.

In this sense, the orientation of the House and the arrangement of the rooms also will be decided depending on the weather (more or less wind, rain, temperature, etc.) and solar travel throughout the year.

In particular, to know what is the solar angle we get solar chart, a chart on the route of the Sun to know which part of the facade will receive more and less Sun.

Once determined the location of the dwelling and its orientation, it would be interesting to do an intelligent distribution of windows, doors, windows, porches, terraces and others elements and materials as required of a greater or lesser isolation in different areas of the House.

If these strategies we can minimize the use of heating and cooling in the home we will have advanced on the path of self-sufficiency. Improve our goal, closer to her a little more will require the use of clean energy to meet these housing Weatherization needs.

The options are numerous: solar photovoltaic, geothermal, wind, biomass, bio fuel, solar thermal generator boilers… Any of them will have different applications, so we can get hot water and heating at the same time or, for example, a cooling of the atmosphere and use that energy to clean as a source that provides electricity.

Biogas or solar cooker can also be an excellent choice, as it uses renewable sources that can come from our garden or natural biomass of companies that market, in which case alleged self-sufficiency is resent.

Purify water, either to make it suitable for human consumption, irrigation, to recycle or reuse it once has been used different solutions according to their level of pollution and uses.

There are good allies in barrels that collect water from rain or even in large deposits that accumulate large amounts of water, ideal for accumulate during the rainy seasons.

However, you should analyze it to ensure your health, and even then it may be necessary to give a purifying treatment. Similarly, wastewater will require biological treatment plants that do not require electricity. The ideal in these cases is that purified water serve for reuse for irrigation, washing the car or, for example, for maintenance of ponds.

The importance of good habits

When using it, live it, be logically make a life consistent with the ecological characteristics of the housing, for example by following the three R’s of sustainability: reduce, recycle and reuse to maximize the efficiency of the technology, the utility of the waste, for example transforming them into fertilizer or purifies sewage.

It will also make a big difference in this sense reduce consumerism, bio gardening or, obviously, make maximum use of renewable energy. And not only by wind turbines or photovoltaic cells, but for example taking advantage of the hours of light, the wind to dry the clothes or the biomass for cooking or heating.

Therefore, when constructing an ecological House and self-sufficient is essential to take into account our lifestyle, preferences and real possibilities that the House finally can complete its goal of energy independence and self-sufficiency in day to day.