Building your house is a comprehensive task where you inevitably want to incorporate the best possible resources, which can repay for lifetime. There are many ingredients which can contribute to building an environment friendly and sustainable house. An important element in making a house, which is not burdening on the environment, is using eco friendly materials which are made from renewable rather than nonrenewable resources. Besides enhancing the efficiency of houses, these also help in controlling the overall impact of resource extraction and disposal issues.
The promising future of eco friendly houses:
The benefits of living in an environment friendly house are manifold. Reduced maintenance, increased efficiency and sustainability are some of the chief benefits arising out of having a house, which conforms to the ecology. The savings on bills, personal health and replacement costs are extended advantages of such houses. With vivid ideas emerging in the construction industry, building an environmentally friendly house is not a compromise on the style statement as well. The eco friendly accessories can serve as value additions to your home.
While resource efficiency remains an important advantage of environmentally friendly houses, the secondary advantages serve well in providing a rewarding experience to be enjoyed for a lifetime.
Considerations which can pave way for worthy eco friendly houses:
Individual preferences apart, there are some essential components, which should be considered when designing a house that is sustainable and eco friendly.
Design
The design of your house should aim at maximizing natural components and minimizing energy consumption. The design elements should be meant to maximize the natural advantages.
The reduction in heat loss by super insulated green materials can be a direct saving on your electricity bills. Efficient roof designs can ensure the most favorable ventilation in warm summer conditions. During night, ventilation can dissipate the day’s heat without much energy loss. Green design can also include suitably located windows, which allow natural ventilation throughout the house. Highly insulated walls, roofs and floors can minimize heat loss or gain. They can also reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Efficiency and flexibility
Your house should be made in a manner, which is flexible and efficient to suit your lifestyle. Arrange the interiors so that they amalgamate with eco-friendly ingredients. There should be sufficient space and encouraging living patterns.
Environmentally friendly materials
Eco friendly building materials aim at enhancing the quality of your house. Worthy eco friendly building materials keep the interior air quality of a house clean and free of toxin. These products are low in moisture content, which can inhibit biological contaminants, ike mold, from infecting your surroundings.
Replacing studs with recycled lumber can also be helpful. Walls may be insulated with recycled jean material. Opt for materials, which can last a lifetime to minimize the amount of waste going into landfills.
Use products, which do not release toxins, such as LOW-VOC for paints and formaldehyde-free for particleboard. Other environment friendly products include cement board siding, stone and brick, and stand and seam metal roofing. High efficiency appliances can be also be used to reduce the loss of energy.
Alternative resources
Private houses can use alternative energy sources like photovoltaic (PV or solar electric) and wind power systems. There are other systems, like geothermal and solar hot water systems, which use the sun to heat or pre heat water for domestic use.
Water management, where the eco friendly techniques can provide encouraging results, usually remains overlooked. Simple efforts like reducing rainwater runoff, minimizing impervious surfaces, using rain barrels, etc. can work to save water and channelize it to other purposes, like the gardens and lawns. Another method, the gray water system, can recycle sink and shower water. Low flow toilets also conserve water and reduce wastage.
Target areas for making your house eco friendly:
While there are numerous options, which can serve a sound podium for transforming your house into an elevated level, it can be practical to concentrate on the popular ones.
Roofing
The roof, a crucial component of any house, can be done either with standard rubber roofing system or the more sustainable (green) sedum. The rubber roof can have a flat appearance with a carefully designed taper in the roof pitch. This facilitates water to flow to the back eliminating it from the roof. The custom built aluminum chute can drain water, which can be utilized for purposes such as harvesting. This roof can protect from ozone and UV radiations, besides shielding from the low and high temperatures.
Another option is the (green) sedium roof with same standard materials as rubber, but with an additional vapor barrier. The sedum roof facilitates plantation without the need of a thick substrate.
Cladding
Cladding can serve beyond just protecting your house. Choose a cladding option, which has the natural ability to dampen vibrations and act as thermal insulation.
Timber is a sustainable and weatherproof ingredient. Another option is cedar, which has natural oils to preserve the material giving it a long lasting effect.
Lighting
Lighting is integral to any design. Use the low power lighting or LED lighting to include an eco friendly element in the designing component of your house. This can considerably save on electricity bills.
Double glazing can also be implemented to maximize the natural daylight. Double glazing, with a low-e coating, filled with argon gas, can also be used to provide thermal insulation.
Conclusion
Eco friendly components can be implemented in extended forms within your house. Look for labels and certifications for credibility of the ingredient you want to attach to your house. Affordable homes are practically achievable with some planning and careful implementation of resources.
