Green homes are houses that are kinder to the planet. They use
lesser energy, produce less waste, and are a healthier environment for the
people inside. Green homes come out of a philosophy of being more Eco-friendly
to the environment. They save on electricity find ways to cut down on carbon-waste and
general energy consumption. Green homes can put money in your pocket, and give
you the peace of mind you are doing your bit to help sustain our planet.
Energy
Most of us would to make the world a little "greener" by
reducing our home energy consumption. There has been improvement in building
techniques and materials over the last couple of decades, which means that
homes are becoming more energy efficient. Do you dream of a house with no
carbon emissions and zero-net-energy use? This can be achieved with a strategy
that includes alternative energy sources, and conscientious fabrication methods
and standards. We can channel in green energy into our homes without breaking
the bank. There are Die home energy programs that cost thousands of dollars but
there are also Die Solar and wind turbine schemes that will only cost a few
hundred dollars, and that can be implemented without great technical skills.
You can reach your goal of a Zero Energy Home, and it maybe just a couple of
steps away...
Design: Living Green Designer Homes
When we think of Eco friendly homes, or sustainable homes, we
probably have an image of an odd-looking place? Too many panels and windmills all
over it, maybe half buried on a hill, or too high tech for our budget? That may
have been the case once but it's now possible to design a home that is
beautiful, and will give you a degree of independence from both present and
future water and energy cost increases and shortages There is evidence of a
growing concern about environmental and design issues. There is information
available from government from which you can learn about design of green
buildings for energy conservation. Good modern design standards readily
integrate sustainable features such as rainwater collection, alternative power
sources, grey water recycling, solar hot water and water efficient landscaping.
Sustainability
In December 2006, The Code for Sustainable Homes was introduced as
a voluntary code in the UK and by May 2008 has become a national standard. It
rates the key elements of design and construction which impact upon
sustainability and efficiency. It is used by architects, builders and consumers
alike in helping them plan and design new homes. The code awards new homes a
star rating from 1 to 6, based on their performance against 9 sustainability
criteria which assess the overall environmental impact. These are model green
home building guidelines!
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
Water H20 & Surface Water Run-off
Materials
Waste
Pollution
Health and Well-Being
Management of the environmental impacts of the construction and
operation
Ecology
The key is to achieve sustainability without compromising either
design or quality. The Code introduces minimum standards for energy and
environmental factors affecting the sustainability of a home, and the rating
takes into account different elements of sustainability. These include energy,
transport, pollution, materials, land use and ecology and health and
well-being. The UK Government has set the industry a target of delivering
zero-carbon homes by 2016.
The aim of sustainable homes is to deliver real improvements in
key areas such as carbon dioxide emissions and water use.
Carbon
Carbon reduction is high on the political agenda of all nations,
yet there is a clear struggle for governments to come to terms with the
measures that must be taken to achieve the reduction goals that our best
science tells us is needed. Much can be achieved by action at the household
level that can drastically reduce the enormity of the tasks that faces
governments looking at the problems on a macro scale. Motivation for the
changes that are needed is key, as it is in anything great but difficult that
we strive for. One 'carrot' in the budget for households is the direct benefit
of reduced energy bills achieved by making an effort to reduce their own carbon
pollution. In the UK, London Green Homes service uniquely offers a free
telephone advice service, a website and a paid-for green service to provide a
free tailor-made package of carbon saving lifestyle improvements. The service
has great flexibility, offering Londoners advice on a broad range of actions to
reduce carbon emissions from lifestyle changes; and explains how best to save
money on energy bills. It is the UK's first one-stop-shop for information on
how to make homes more carbon efficient.
Environmental
A US survey has shown that 87% of home buyers want to know how
their homes rate in terms of environmental performance in order to make an
informed decision when moving house. Further, 84% would pay an average 2% more
for an eco-friendly home. Environmentally friendly homes are no longer a luxury
reserved only for the richest Americans. Environmental concerns, dependence on
foreign oil, water shortages, vanishing species, are all factors in an
increasing the awareness of the call for us to be better stewards of the earth
and its resources.
In this environmentally aware world, we are hearing more about
green homes, eco friendly living and sustainable homes. Green homes that are
designed to be energy efficient, use environmentally friendly and healthy
materials and conserver water are becoming the standard. In addition to new
building standards, there are simple environmentally friendly, DIY projects
that will help curb energy costs, and improve your home’s value.
Space is still the most important consideration for home buyers,
but environmental considerations and use of eco-friendly materials are very
high on the list of priorities. Architectural firms today are often committed
to developing creative yet environmentally sustainable components of space for
the betterment of 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, has never been more relevant than it is today. As time goes on,
there will be more attention given to advocating for socially just and
environmentally-minded rebuilding solutions. Home-building imposes very
significant environmental and social costs at all levels. Impacts of new home construction
include:
Quarrying to provide basic raw construction materials like
aggregates,
Water consumption and the widespread use of toxic
Chemicals in building materials.
Conclusion
Green homes can put money in your pocket they don't need to be
thought of as an expensive way to do what's demanded of us for the environment.
Sustainable homes give you peace of mind from knowing that you are doing
everything you can to help sustain the planet. Sustainable homes don't have to
be unattractive anymore, and unsuitable for residential architecture. Green
homes are better for the environment because they use less energy, less water,
and have a lower impact on the environment
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