Architecture

Building an Eco-Friendly House

A sustainable green home
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Unethical construction techniques are one of the major contributors to pollution worldwide. Following eco-friendly construction methods can lower down the pollution levels to extreme levels. Not only that, but it can also help in lowering down the carbon footprint, thus promoting sustainable development. Being co friendly does not only helps the nature but also helps you out as an individual at several levels. Here are some of the Eco-Friendly Techniques that must be kept in mind while getting your house designed & constructed.

1. Use Sustainable Materials:

Use of sustainable materials in the key to a greenhouse. Maximize the use of construction materials which have been or can be recycled and reused. Opt for Reclaimed timber products, recycled glass, bamboo, or other such materials which are natural and thus renewable. You can also go in for materials made of compressed jute for decking/elevations which are eco-friendly as well as durable.

Sustainable materials
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2.Install Solar Panels:

Solar Panels are booming throughout the world due to their effectiveness as well as a green approach. Installing Solar Panels might seem a bit expensive at first. However, it can save you a lot of capital in the long run. You shall be able to cut off a lot on your power supply in the long run. Moreover, the government promotes this gesture and also provides subsidies for its installation. If you have a huge rooftop/open area, you may even generate a surplus of energy and source it off to utility companies.

Make use of natural energy by using solar panels
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3.Rainwater Harvesting:

Most of the world is facing a water crisis which is very much threatening to humanity as a whole. While getting your house designed, keep rainwater harvesting a key element for the same. You can either make a provision for storing the rainwater from your roofs in underground water reservoirs for later use or direct it toward a retention pond to replenish the groundwater.

Photo by Ariel Schmunck on Unsplash

4. Proper Insulation:

Do not go in for cheap quality insulation to save a bit of money initially. A quality insulation system can help you save a lot of energy in the long run, thus saving you money too. It would allow you to use less of air-conditioning as well as heating systems, whichever applicable.

Picture depicting an insulated wall
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5. Dual Flush Toilets:

To add on to your household water consumption, use the dual flush toilet systems which help reduce the water usage by 80%. In this system, one option is meant for flushing off solid waste which required lesser water. The other one is for flushing off solid waste, which requires comparatively more water.

6. Reduce, Recycle, Reuse:

If you are considering demolishing your old house and building a new one, reuse is what you should focus on. Avoid getting your older doors, windows, wooden floors, aluminium getting damaged while demolition and reuse them in your new house with a bit of recycling. You can even use your old clothing, woollen products, cotton for insulating your cavity walls. This will not only prevent waste generation but also cut off on your initial construction cost.

7. Placement of Windows:

Placement of windows and other opening play an important role in overall energy consumption in your house. If you live in a warm place, try facing most of your opening towards the north, and a few towards the east. Avoid south as well as west-facing windows from where the sun heat would penetrate into your house and increase your air conditioning cost. Follow vice-versa for colder places.

Window panels
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8. Use Smart Electrical Fixtures:

Bring in the use of technology and use auto on-off electrical appliances. Buy the only star rated electrical products which consume lesser energy, side-by-side reducing your electricity bills. Also, make the use of smart and efficient lighting fixtures which can are adjustable as per your requirement. Use of solar-powered appliances could be a great add on.

Kitchen Appliances
Photo by Pesce Huang on Unsplash

The concept of green buildings and net-zero campuses are being promoted throughout the world. However, going sustainable from the home itself can have a major impact on the betterment of the environment. Moreover, we can assure you that going eco-friendly might seem to be a little expensive than conventional construction methods. However, it would help you save a lot in the long run, alongside helping out our mother nature.

One thought on “Building an Eco-Friendly House

  1. Hello, Sonali sent me your link and I must say I like it VERY MUCH. I live in Córdoba Spain.
    I love eco-friendly architecture and the rainwater harvesting systems for households will be an absolute must. I do it at home but in a very simple way since my house is VERY OLD, I found pieces of roman mosaics as filling material in the old walls.
    Anyway, congratulations. And I am sending your link to an indian friend who is building or going to build a house.

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