Five Effective Methods Homebuilders Can Use to Educate Homebuyers on Living Sustainably

The Christmas period is, sadly, one of our most wasteful times of the year.  In fact, according to packaging manufacturer GWP Group, in the UK, ‘The additional waste from Christmas equates to approximately 3 million tonnes.’ 

The month of December brings into focus the need for us all to live a more sustainable lifestyle.  One that will set the tone for all festivities, including the tendency towards excess that we find ourselves in at Christmastime.

So, while we’re in this month that arguably requires the most attention in terms of improving eco-friendly living habits, let’s look at what housing providers can do to encourage a more sustainable life for their residents.  Not only will this encouragement work well towards your ESG credentials, it will also cement your reputation as a conscientious developer that truly cares about the environmental impact of homebuilding.

Here are five effective methods you can use to educate your homebuyers on living sustainably:

1. Provide a "Sustainability Starter Kit"

A Sustainability Starter Kit is guidance that you can provide, either as a physical or digital resource, like our Sustainability and Community Guides, that:

• Explain the energy-efficient and eco-friendly features of the home, such as solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, or rainwater collection systems
• Include practical tips for reducing energy use, such as adjusting thermostat settings, using LED lighting, and optimising insulation
• Provide details of where residents can recycle their unwanted items locally, as well as details of any nearby donation services

Why It Works: New homeowners are often excited to explore their home’s features and the surrounding area.  A dedicated guide to living sustainably in their home simplifies their transition into green living with useful and relevant advice that can be used daily.

2. Offer Interactive Demonstrations

To ensure your residents understand how to use and get the best out of the energy-efficient features within their new homes, and to promote green living, it is a great idea to conduct walkthroughs, or provide Virtual Tours and How To videos that showcase sustainable practices.  For instance:

• Show how to use a smart thermostat and energy-efficient appliances for optimal energy savings
• Demonstrate proper recycling or composting techniques, especially if local services aren’t provided
• Partner with local eco-friendly product vendors for hands-on workshops

Why It Works: Seeing sustainable practices in action makes them more relatable and easier to adopt.

3. Install and Educate on Smart Home Technology

Nowadays, there is a lot you can do to start your homebuyers off on their journey towards sustainable living, simply by choosing a certain variety of appliances and features within the home.  For instance, you can:

• Equip homes with smart devices like energy meters, water-saving showerheads, and automated lighting systems
• Smart heating systems can be installed to improve the use and efficiency of the home’s hot water and heating systems, as these can be controlled remotely
• Provide tutorials on how the energy-saving tools can be best used to save resources and reduce bills

Why It Works: Technology simplifies sustainable practices by automating tasks and providing real-time feedback, which motivates homeowners to stay on track.

4. Host Community Sustainability Events

Nothing tells your homebuyers that you care about sustainability more than when you create events dedicated to that very cause.  Not only do these events help educate your residents, they also encourage a sense of community on your developments, as neighbours get together to tackle important environmental issues.  Community sustainability events can include:

• Neighbourhood events, such as tree-planting, workshops on energy efficiency, or home gardening sessions
• Collaborations with local environmental organisations to provide expert advice and resources
• Setting up a community social media group or bulletin board to encourage residents to share tips, swap items, or co-ordinate eco-friendly activities like car sharing

Why It Works: Community engagement fosters a shared commitment to sustainability and empowers residents to learn from and support each other.  This collective approach can amplify individual efforts and create lasting impact, and it is not hard to organise if you have the right tools in place.  Using a residential engagement and property management app allows you to send out group invitations to events such as these at the tap of a button.  Following the event, you can also use the app to send out surveys and gain feedback on your residents’ experience, which provides you with data that can be used to plan the future events.

5. Encourage Water and Waste Reduction Practices

Just as energy efficiency can be encouraged by the systems you install within the homes you build, so can a reduction in water usage and waste production.  These can include:

• Providing features like aerators for taps, water butts, or dual-flush toilets and educate homebuyers on how to use them efficiently
• Sharing tips for reducing household waste, such as meal planning to prevent food waste, quick and easy leftover recipes or setting up home compost bins

Why It Works: Practical, small changes like these are easy to integrate into daily routines and make a noticeable impact over time. 

Help your homebuyers live sustainably in their new homes, at Christmas and throughout the year, and enjoy the positive reviews, valuable referrals and enhanced reputation that follows!