Nearly Zero Energy Buildings and the European Directive
Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. The single biggest thing you can do to reduce climate change apart from stopping flying (which you won’t do anyway) is improve the energy efficiency of your building. The great thing is that energy efficient buildings are alsoContinue reading
Modern Renewable Energy Systems in Spanish Villas
Renewable energy systems have in the past been associated with being weak, expensive, and unreliable. For many people the concept goes with eco-warriors living off grid in situations where they can’t have all mod cons. Well let me tell you. Things have changed! We are installing a renewable energy system in a modern villa thatContinue reading
Do you NEED the Tesla Powerwall battery?
Under some circumstances you probably do. The key thing about this battery is that it has a high capacity and a high output (so you can run the kettle and the washing machine for example). It’s also small, clean, and easily mountable on the wall. Forget the old days of rows of kind of carContinue reading
Key Qualities and Design Features of a First Class Home in Marbella
Let’s make the supposition that we are looking for a high quality look and feel: “timeless good taste” as we like to put it, a home that is classy but not swanky and we are also looking to keep costs down. If it were me then, as a principal, I would want to make sureContinue reading
How to be Carbon Zero in Spain: Renewable Energy Systems
This is how to be carbon zero in Spain. You can retro fit an existing house or use these principals for your new build. If you want to be green do this. It’s the biggest contribution you can make towards reducing climate change except for stopping flying and we know you’re not going to doContinue reading
Choosing the Right Windows is Critical to the Success of Your Villa
Here are the things to consider Window Size and Placement The honest truth is that is most of the houses we (Eco Vida Homes) design the window size and placement is determined by lifestyle choices such as capturing the best views, creating a seamless inside / outside space, allowing lots of natural light, and outsideContinue reading
Benefits of Using Living Walls in the design of Spanish Villas
A living wall or vertical garden can be incorporated into the design of your new build or renovation project. Apart from the benefits listed below you can even use them to grow kitchen herbs and strawberries! 1. Attractive environment – Green walls have a soothing effect. I think it’s true to that that, without knowingContinue reading
Passive House and Airtight Homes in Spain
Passive House (Passivhaus) is probably the worldwide leading standard for energy efficient buildings. It is a concept that has come out of Germany where the principal problem is keeping your home warm in the winter. Effectively no heating is required in a passive house even though it may be minus 10C outside. In Spain thereContinue reading