Greece is one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world. Pristine beaches, Medterranean air, an endless rows of olive trees are just a few of the highlights. If you have a home in Greece, how can you make sure Greece’s beaches stay some of the cleanest in the world? How can you keep the Mediterranean air fresh, and make sure future generations in your family can enjoy the same endless, beautiful sunsets?
There are many things you can do to make your home in Greece more eco-friendly. If you’re already a Greek resident or are looking to buy a Greek holiday home, here are a few ideas for making your property more eco-friendly.
1. Install Solar Panels
With thousands of hours of sunshine per year, Greece is a great place to install solar panels. Even though they also work on cloudy days, the large amount of bright sunshine in Greece allows your panels to reach maximum capacity, giving renewable energy to your home.
While the initial setup has a cost, the panels will soon become a smart investment, especially when paired with a solar battery.
2. Conserve Water
Saving water is one of the most best ways to make your Greek home more sustainable. Even small things like thinking about how long you run your taps and turning them off while brushing your teeth or shaving can save a lot of water over time.
You can install tap aerators to lower your water consumption while at the same time enjoying the same water pressure. Plus, you can invest in technology to reuse rainwater for your garden during dry months.
If you live near the seaside and want to cool off, you could choose to take a swim in the pristine waters of the Mediterranean Sea instead of showering at home. The crystal-clear waters are known for their healing properties, both for the skin and the soul. Just be sure to rinse off briefly after your swim.
3. Plant Native Species
If you’re looking to make sustainable changes without any new installations, then your garden can be a good place to make a change. We recommend creating an outdoor space that embraces the natural beauty of native plants, such as fruit trees, violets, herbs, anemones, poppies, and olive trees. It’s best to choose native Greek plants that are already found locally.
Since these plants are native to the area, they can help restore biodiversity and help local fauna to come into your garden. Plus, they can help reduce air pollution, and in some places, can even prevent erosion. You’ll also need to water these plants less, since they have specifically evolved to live in Greece, reducing your water use.
We’re not the only ones who have thought of this. Some of Greece’s most innovative architects and designers plant native species around their new projects, so that the house blends better with the surrounding area.
4. Buy A Heat Pump
In some areas of Greece, especially in the north, central, and western coast of Greece, the weather is mild in the winter. So, it may make sense to have a heating and cooling system in your home. Some models also offer a cooling system too – ideal for sunny Greek summers.
Some heat pumps work best when the property is well insulated, so you should also makes sure your home in Greece has good insulation. If your home in Greece is “yposkafo” — in other words, it is a cave home or partial cave home – you will already likely have good insulation.
Heat pumps can also help boost the energy rating of your home in Greece. If you choose to rent out or sell your home in Greece in the future, an effective heat pump increases the rental price or sale price of your home.
5. Make Small Changes
When it comes to making your Greek home more eco-friendly, you can also choose to buy everyday items in your home that help the environment in Greece. For example, you can buy eco-friendly versions of cleaning products, or choose local foods from local grocers or bakers, instead of processed foods that need to be shipped to Greece.
All together, these efforts will help preserve Greece’s natural environment and make sure the next generations in your family can enjoy the same beautiful sunset over the Mediterranean Sea.
