Sustainable buildings and homes:
               

• Help save the earths resources.
  
• Are built using timber from sustainably managed forests.
  
• Aim to use fixtures & fittings made from re cycled & re-useable materials.
  
• Need less heating & lighting than conventional homes.
  
• Incorporate low energy lighting & electrical appliances & can reduce hot water costs by incorporating solar heating
  
• Can generate their own power through incorporating photovoltaics (PV) & wind generators.
  
• Have lower running costs than conventional homes
  
• Reduce water bills by collecting, storing & filtering rainwater from roofs .
  
• Incorporate natural waste water & sewage treatment systems, such as reed beds.
  
• Can incorporate composting toilets
  
• Reduce heating costs through maximising the benefits of passive solar heating & using materials with high insulation values