Green Homes – Building Green Homes for Green Living

Green houses are kinder houses on the planet. They use less energy, produce less waste, and are a healthier environment for the people inside. Ecological houses are born from the philosophy of being more respectful with the environment. They save electricity, find ways to reduce carbon waste and overall energy consumption. Green homes can put money in your pocket and give you the peace of mind that you are doing your bit to help sustain our planet.

Energy

Most of us would make the world a little “greener” by reducing the energy consumption of our home. There have been improvements in construction techniques and materials over the past two decades, which means that homes are becoming more energy efficient. Dreaming of a carbon-free home with zero net energy use? This can be achieved with a strategy that includes alternative energy sources and conscientious manufacturing methods and standards. We can channel green energy into our homes without spending a lot of money. There are DIY home energy programs that cost thousands of dollars, but there are also DIY solar and wind turbine schemes that will only cost a few hundred dollars and can be implemented without great technical skills. You can hit your goal of a zero energy house, and maybe just a couple of steps away …

Design: Eco-design homes

When we think of green or sustainable homes, do we probably have an image of a strange looking place? Too many panels and windmills everywhere, maybe half buried in a hill, or too high-tech for our budget? That may have been the case once, but now it is possible to design a home that is beautiful and will give you a degree of independence from present and future increases and shortages in water and energy costs.There is evidence of growing concern. for the environment and design. matters. There is information available from the government that you can learn about green building design for energy conservation. Good modern design standards easily integrate sustainable features like rainwater harvesting, alternative energy sources, gray water recycling, solar hot water, and water-saving landscaping.

Sustainability

In December 2006 the Sustainable Housing Code was introduced as a voluntary code in the UK and in May 2008 it became a national standard. Rate the key elements of design and construction that influence sustainability and efficiency. It is used by architects, builders, and consumers alike to help them plan and design new homes. The code gives new homes a star rating from 1 to 6, based on their performance against 9 sustainability criteria that assess overall environmental impact. These are model guidelines for building green homes!

Building regulations require at least one star. Six Stars reflects exemplary sustainability The sustainability criteria by which new homes are measured are:

Energy and CO2 emissions

H20 water and surface water runoff

Materials

Waste

Contamination

Health & Wellness

Management of the environmental impacts of construction and operation

Ecology

The key is to achieve sustainability without compromising on design or quality. The Code introduces minimum standards for energy and environmental factors that affect the sustainability of a home, and the rating takes into account different elements of sustainability. These include energy, transportation, pollution, materials, land use, and ecology and health and well-being. The UK government has set the industry target of offering carbon-free housing by 2016.

The goal of sustainable housing is to deliver real improvements in key areas like carbon dioxide emissions and water use.

Coal

Carbon reduction is high on the political agenda of all nations, yet there is a clear fight for governments to accept the steps that must be taken to achieve the reduction goals that our best science tells us is necessary. Much can be achieved through action at the household level that can dramatically reduce the enormity of tasks facing governments by looking at problems on a macro scale. Motivation for the changes that are needed is key, as it is in whatever big but difficult thing we live for. A ‘carrot’ in the household budget is the direct benefit of lower energy bills achieved by making an effort to reduce your own carbon pollution. In the UK, the London Green Homes service uniquely offers a free phone advice service, website and green payment service to provide a free personalized package of carbon saving lifestyle improvements. The service is highly flexible, offering Londoners advice on a wide range of actions to reduce carbon emissions from lifestyle changes; and explains the best way to save money on energy bills. It is the UK’s first one-stop shop for information on making homes more carbon efficient.

Environmental

A US survey has shown that 87% of home buyers want to know how their home rates in terms of environmental performance so that they can make an informed decision when moving house. In addition, 84% would pay an average of 2% more for a green home. Green homes are no longer a luxury reserved only for the wealthiest Americans. Environmental concerns, dependence on foreign oil, water scarcity, species disappearance, are factors that contribute to raising awareness of the call to be better stewards of the land and its resources.

In this environmentally conscious world, we hear more about green homes, green living, and sustainable homes. Green homes that are designed to be energy efficient, use green and healthy materials, and conserve water are becoming the standard. In addition to new building standards, there are simple, environmentally friendly DIY projects that will help reduce energy costs and enhance the value of your homes.

Space is still the most important consideration for home buyers, but environmental considerations and the use of green materials are high on the priority list. Today, architecture firms are often committed to developing creative yet environmentally sustainable space components to enhance lifestyle and family in a way that supports responsible stewardship of the environment and natural resources. Green living and building, with an emphasis on health, energy efficiency and environmental conservation, have never been more relevant than today. As time goes on, more attention will be paid to promoting socially just and environmentally friendly reconstruction solutions. Housing construction imposes very significant environmental and social costs at all levels. The impacts of new home construction include:

quarrying to provide basic construction raw materials such as aggregates,

water consumption and the widespread use of toxins

chemicals in building materials.

Conclution

Green homes can put money in your pocket, you don’t need to think of them as an expensive way to do what we’re required to do for the environment. Sustainable homes give you the peace of mind of knowing that you are doing everything you can to help sustain the planet. Sustainable houses no longer have to be unattractive and unsuitable for residential architecture. Green homes are better for the environment because they use less energy, less water, and have less impact on the environment.