Handy Tips To A Grand Green Home
04/24/09
Several aspects will impact a green home construction, and these need to be integrated in the primary plan of the building. Using eco-friendly raw materials is an important management measure in the construction of green homes. Cement high on fly ash content could be one of these alternatives. Salvage of reusable material from landfills, such as using reengineered wood or ancient wooden beams retrieved from old houses are other aspects of using recycled materials. 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.
The use of Forest Stewardship Council (SFC) certified wood for doors, window frames and other places where wood is required also helps the green cause. Even employing no/low formaldehyde based paints for the interiors of the house helps in creating healthier living conditions. Harnessing the power of the sun by fitting solar heaters and photovoltaic cells helps reduce electricity consumption and lower bills. 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. Also, they last longer because since the heat absorbed is less, they do not expand thermally as much as dark colored roofs.
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. Various companies advertise recycled plastic furniture for the garden. A green initiative gaining popularity is using cork or bamboo flooring instead of the usual hardwood flooring. It is better to use natural linoleum rather than vinyl linoleum. Make sure that the ducting in the house is leak proof. Ducting leaks cause over 10% of energy losses in a house. Fitting flow reducers to faucets and shower heads and low volume flushes helps reduce 40% consumption of water without anybody noticing the difference. Use on insulation which does not contain formaldehyde helps prevent 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.
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