Experience it before you change it.

My mum has always said :- 

“Live in a house for 12 months before you do any major changes”©

And good advice it is.

Having personally owned and lived in many homes throughout Australia and other parts of the world I always remember her advice when I purchase, visit or holiday in an area.

To me her words are crucial if you are intending to create a green eco friendly home.

You need to understand it – or you can utilise someone like myself who understands how the seasons will affect a home, because it’s critical to understand it’s dynamics - before you do any major changes.

Why?

Well – after living in your home for 12 months you get to experience it in all seasons and will personally see & feel how it reacts, (the good and bad) and only then you can change it for the better and do it right.

So once you know how the sun, wind, shade, trees, rain and water movements interact to create your homes unique eco environment, then you are in a good position to be able to change it for the better.

Things like noticing where the sun comes from during winter, from which direction are the prevailing breezes, where is the nicest spot to sit in winter to get some warmth, which rooms feel best and worst in summer, autumn, winter and spring.

Be it lack of light, too much heat, too cold etc.

And once you know this – then can you accurately work out what would you like to improve, what’s already good and what really needs changing.

 I also recommend this approach before you purchase a block of land or any home.

Sleep at your block overnight, visit the house during various hours of the day, get there before sunrise, look at what trees will grow or not grow in the area, listen to the traffic, listen to the birds, sense the sunshine, the cool breezes and the local environment.

To me - this sort of informed decision is the best way of knowing what will make your home more comfortable by utilising your sites attributes. 
Be they natural, man made or in the making by others.