Ideas for building Green or Eco Homes

Eco homes are green homes that have the least impact on the environment. A green building can lower energy and water consumption by at least 30% to 70%. The construction of an eco-friendly house requires a mix of materials and technology that have the least carbon footprint and lowest energy needs in the long run.

  What features make a building ‘green’?

1.   Efficient use of energy, water and other resources
2.   Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy
3.   Pollution and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of reuse and recycling
4. Good indoor environmental air quality
5.   Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable, which are reusable, recyclable and renewable.
6.  Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation
7.   Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation
8.  A design that enables adaptation to a changing environment

 The planning of an Eco-home focuses on the following:

1) The kind of materials used for construction

2) The distance from where the raw materials are obtained

3) Topsoil conservation

4) Reduced development cost with increased comfort

5) Healthy indoor and outdoor environment

6) Fewer maintenance costs

7) Efficient use of water and electricity, renewable energy

8) Pollution and waste reduction methods

9) Use of non-toxic and sustainable materials and products

10) Reuse and recycling, selection of correct rated appliances/equipment etc.

Few examples of consideration for making a green or eco home:

1. Solar and wind power usage
2. Water-saving fixtures of 2l and 4l flushing, flow restrictors & aerators
3. Water recycle and reuse by Dual plumbing and treatment process
4. MSand or Artificial sand usage instead of the natural sand
5. Using Laterite blocks rather than cement blocks
6. Stone walls instead of block walls
7. Mud and clay plaster instead of cementitious plastering
8. Natural lighting and natural cross ventilation, providing ventilators
9. Rainwater Collection, recharging wells or borewells or aquifer lines rather than surface runoff
10. Use of Medicinal value plants, flowering plants, vegetable farming, air-purifying plants, drought-resistant plants for soft scaping.
11. Use of Fluorescent & Led lights, CFL bulbs, Solar lamp posts
12. Doors – Made through the recycled wood pulp, honeycomb structures
13. Use of 8″ topsoil, erosion control steps or planting
14. Use of double-glazed glass for skylights, triple glazed windows
15. Geothermal cooling and Radiant cooling system instead of AC machines
16. High-efficiency refrigerators, TV’s, heat pumps, 5 star rated appliances etc.
17. Water repellant paints instead of tiles
18. Use of granites rather than tiles
19. Lead-free paints, low VOC paints
20. Reduce the use of PVC materials, rather use PEX or CPVC, use of   Green UPVC (lead-free) is also fine
21. Storm and surface water management- rainy filters
22. Local landscaping to match the neighbourhood design and patterns
23. Reduce heat island effect, no pavers, less concrete, no impervious layers, tree shades to increase
24. Light, reflective colour themes and avoiding black colour
25.  Building orientation preferably 20 degrees tilted South
26.  Smaller building footprint, smart sizing by avoiding odd dimensions to avoid material wastages
27.  Foldable types of furniture, bunk beds
28.  Square building is better than rectangular ones
29.  Entrance arch pergola with green scaping
30.  Maximise the loft spaces
31. Use Material based on its durability
32.  Use of Fly ash and GGBS mixed concrete
33.  Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks usage
34.  Use of engineered wood
35.  Light coloured reflective terrace flooring
36.  Use of plywood for interior works than hardwood or block boards
37.  Tankless instant geysers are better than the normal ones with the tank
38.  Gypsum plaster instead of cement plaster
39.  Incorporating Wet waste grinders
40. Water meters, energy meters installation at every room or monitoring area