Sustainability is a core value that underpins everything we do here at Arden. We’re proud to be leading the way in terms of not only the sustainability of the finished homes we hand over to you, but also the ways in which we process and minimise waste during each build.
We’re proud of the partnerships we’re building with leading suppliers of sustainable resources, and our genuinely collaborative approach allows us to push the envelope in terms of what we’re able to offer our clients.
In line with this, our Director Dean was delighted to speak at last month’s Sustainable Living Festival on how we prioritise sustainability in every Arden build from a construction point of view.
Here’s a recap of some of the key points:
Solar energy and thermal efficiency
Technology is important, and we value the recent innovations in solar technology and energy storage by suppliers like Bradford Energy. But when it comes to an energy-efficient home, technology is just one piece of the puzzle. We also look at the best ways to optimise positioning for maximum solar access and efficiency, without compromising the natural light available throughout the home. Not only does this improved efficiency make best use of the technology available, it reduces net energy usage on the whole and allows families greater freedom to prioritise their electricity. For example, a 7.5 kilowatt Sonnen battery gives a typical family at least 80% self-sufficiency, meaning greater comfort and more money back in the pockets of our customers.
Construction
The construction of the home itself is also geared towards maximising thermal efficiency and sustainability without compromising on the look and feel of the home. All the timber products we use in construction are sourced from AFS and FSC accredited suppliers, and the addition of Hebel render to the exterior provides additional thermal and acoustic benefits, while maintaining a 30% lower environmental impact and 55% lower greenhouse gas emissions than a traditional brick home of the same size.
Every Arden home includes a roof made from COLORBOND® steel to further improve both longevity and thermal efficiency, with the option to include an anticon insulated blanket for additional temperature and noise control. A lot of our chosen materials also include a minimum amount of recycled product, ensuring that waste is minimised across the industry as a whole, not just with individual projects.
Carpet that gives back
A truly innovative product is carpet that’s 100% hundred percent manufactured from recycled soft drink bottles, reducing the environmental impact of the carpet manufacturing, but also significantly reducing landfill. So far to date, over 15 million bottles have been turned into carpet for new builds.
Innovation in technology
Alongside our commitment to top quality building materials comes our commitment to innovation with regard to the technology in your home. We’re proud to partner with companies like Fisher & Paykel to make innovative, luxurious technology affordable to the average home buyer.
The level of interest in sustainable homes is growing rapidly as more and more millennials enter the housing market, and we feel that a really key part of our mission is the responsibility of ensuring that a sustainable home is available to everyone. We’re proud to lead the way with new innovations in 2021, and look forward to other builders in our industry offering more sustainable options as the market demands.