Green Home Construction … A Ready Reckoner
A well-designed green home construction requires consideration of several factors, which must be incorporated in the initial structuring stages. In a green home, use of recyclable material is very important from the point of view of conservation. This could include using high fly ash content cement instead of normal cement. Wood salvaged from old buildings and reengineered wood can be used in constructing a green home. Green features work better when included in the initial construction phase. This also involves installation of a drip irrigation system for landscaping instead of the usual sprinkler system. A rainwater harvesting plant is best effective when installed in the initial design stage. Pathways, drive ways should be made of permeable paving so that rainwater can seep through the soil.
Using Forest Stewardship Council (SFC) certified wood for all wooden fittings in the house is favorable to a green house construction. Green home constructions aim at cleaner indoor environment by making use of no/low formaldehyde interior paints. Installing solar heaters and photovoltaic panels helps conserve electricity and a lower utilities bill. It is better to fit light colored roofs than dark colored roofs because they are more reflective and thus reduce buildup of heat inside the house. Light colored roofs do not undergo as much thermal expansion as dark colored roofs and hence last longer.
Green Home Construction holistically handles both fixed as well as movable items in a house. It is best to use recycled wood furniture for the house interiors. Garden furniture can be made out of recycled plastic, which is easily available in the market. Using cork or bamboo flooring instead of traditional hardwood flooring helps greening the house. Avoid using vinyl linoleum, natural linoleum is a better choice. Leak proof ducting helps in conservation of energy. It has been estimated that leaks in ducting cause a loss over 10% of the energy used. Using low volume flush toilets and fitting flow reducers to faucets and shower heads helps cut down 40% of the water volume and nobody will even notice the difference. Formaldehyde free wall and ceiling insulation help reduce sickness. One good material for insulation is cellulose insulation made out of recycled paper.
In a green home construction, effective use is made of low emissive double paned windows. The advantages of double paned windows are that they help in providing insulation as well as reduction of noise. Insulation can further be enhanced using wooden frames for housing windows. A piping jacket helps reduce heat loss. These guidelines should come in handy if you are planning to build a green home.