Green home improvement

Green Home building from an ecological fad has become a necessity. Green Home Building is the focus of the national association of Home Builders (NAHB) and they give guidelines to building contractors on the methods and benefits of Green Home Building. The Green Home building awareness promoted by the NAHB is important because it is the trade organization that regulates and sets standards and building codes for the home builder profession. There are six important points under the NAHB guidelines that contractors are expected to follow in green home building. .

Before pouring the foundation the contractor must evaluate the possible effect of the building on the soil and the natural surroundings. The resources used in green home buildings should be easy maintenance and wasted material from the construction should be managed by recycling. All mechanical systems, light fittings and appliances used in a green home buildings should be energy efficient and use renewable energy. Green home improvement Water conservation in green home buildings is achieved by using low output fittings and recycling non potable water for outdoor use. Superior ventilation and insulation in green home buildings adds to the homeowner’s comfort and good health. All members of the NAHB are encouraged to educate homeowners on the benefits of green home building for a healthier lifestyle and a happier future.
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As new information comes in, the global community becomes more and more concerned about the environment and energy conservation. And while America is focusing more on the environment than it used to (with its newly popular green home building initiatives in particular), the U.S. is still behind the times when it comes to conservation. Many countries, especially European countries, have been the frontrunners in conserving energy and using green home building for decades.

European Energy Consciousness

European countries lead the pack when it comes to green home design and green living… which makes a certain amount of sense. Because on the continent, gasoline, natural gases, and energy costs significantly more than it does in America, and it has been that way for many years. And of course this makes Europe more aware of energy and power usage than the U.S.. This is seen in European culture in a lot of ways.

One of the main ways that Europeans save energy is through a tightly knit and efficient public transport system. Almost every major city in Europe has an efficient public transport system (with underground trains, overground trains, buses, trams, etc.) that is well patronized by residents. And even though there are plenty of individually owned vehicles in European countries, most cities in Europe boast a higher percentage of mass transit users (and bicycle riders) than the United States.

European energy consciousness is also visible in the way Europeans build their homes. In Europe (especially in larger cities), they use green home building in a very practical, widespread, and simplistic way. Most city dwellers live in apartments with far less square footage than American homes. In addition, most European houses, apartments, and businesses use simple green home building ideas to keep their spaces cool in summer instead of the air conditioning so common in the U.S. These include roll down screens, patio shading, double windows, and more.Green Home Building in America

Essentially, Europeans have been remembering to turn the lights out when they leave a room for years. In the U.S., people are just getting used to not seeing energy as something that will always be inexpensive and easily available, and are slowly developing a better instinct for conservation. This is easy to see when you consider how popular green home building and design has become in America during recent years.

Green home building and design uses concepts, such as smaller home size, basic insulation, and position to the sun to conserve energy, as well as alternative energy technology (such as solar power) to provide power to homes. Green home building also incorporates more complex concepts, such as the use of sustainable materials and less harmful products, to protect the environment and conserve energy in the long run. The United States may be behind Europe when it comes to energy conservation, but green home building looks like a much needed step in the right direction.

When many people think of green home design, they think about the cost of such construction. I partially agree with that idea. I think that many times, people get so wrapped up in going green that they ignore fine structures in order to build “better” structures. Their heart is in the right place, but it doesn’t make much sense to me.

In my mind, green home design shouldn’t be limited to new construction. Greenness should be promoted in your current home. An example of this includes better insulation to reduce energy consumption. I agree with the idea of being green, but not with the idea of being wasteful in the name of greenness. I don’t like when stores move into greener malls and plazas, and then the old buildings sit for years until they are finally neglected to the point where they are torn down. So much money and space could have been saved if someone had just come in and updated the existing structure. rsssaturn.com

My point here is that sometimes, it’s better to revitalize existing structures and make them as green as possible than to construct new buildings and let the old ones waste away. Green home design doesn’t mean building a new home. Green home design means building greenness in your current one. http://greenhomedesigns.blogspot.com/

Green Home Plans are home plans certified by LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) which is a voluntary rating system that certifies high performance energy efficient housing. To achieve energy efficiency green home plans minimally impact the environment but make the maximum use of natural elements for heating and cooling. see more..

If a home plan is a green home plan the size of the building should be compact because the larger the area the greater the energy required. Green home plans have strategically placed ventilation to ensure that the interiors are bright but maintain a uniform temperature within the house without the intervention of artificial equipment. Green home plans. Architects who design houses based on green house plans look for fittings which are given Energy Star certification by the EPA.

A green home plan is designed to conserve water and the plumbing and fittings used are low flow fittings and waste water is recycled by directing it irrigation use. Green home plans are drawn up with enough space to grow trees around them because trees ensure that natural breezes and adequate air flow is constantly available to the interior of the home. At first green home plans were regarded as expensive and the preserve of environmentalists but now their popularity has reduced the costs of green construction for all.

Our Planet is facing dramatic changes owing to the accelerated rate of human development and indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources. Global warming is just one such warning sign that the delicate global ecosystem is very near the ‘tipping’ scale. Therefore, it is incumbent on humanity to find solutions to harmonize their needs in consonance with nature. Building ‘Green’ Houses is one such important initiative.

What is a ‘Green’ House building? It encompasses cost effective and eco-friendly use of resources to build houses, institutions, markets, malls, and other similar structures.

There are various methods used for building ‘Green’ houses. Use of architectural designs, which maximize the availability of natural sunlight and wind, help reduce consumption of electricity and polluting air conditioners. Another method is to use solar heaters and photovoltaic cells to save electricity. Using locally available materials and natural materials helps conservation. Other methods include building houses only as spacious as is really required. Conservation of water is a ‘green’ principle, which can be achieved through installing smaller cisterns, using recycled water for your garden and rainwater harvesting.

Building ‘green’ houses have many rewards attached. In the opinion of some experts, well-planned ‘green’ houses consume upto 30% less energy than those that are not built with this idea in mind. Because ‘green’ buildings use more natural air and sunlight, they are likely to be healthier to live in and thus improve human productivity with the added advantage of lower incidental medical bills.

It is generally misconstrued that green building costs more to build than normal buildings. Such a perception is not true. Studies have shown that a well conceived ‘green’ house project might cost in the range of 0.5 % to 6.5 % over a normal building in the initial costing. However, over the long term, those costs get recovered.

For ‘green’ buildings to be sustainable it is recommended that one considers incorporation of the ‘green’ features in the initial design itself. Sustainability of a ‘green’ concept is also increased by establishing a common area for selected facilities or sharing of resources including a common swimming pool or a rain water conservation unit in the neighborhood.

The concept of a ‘green’ house building is not likely to be a passing fad. Living in ‘green’ buildings will in all probability be the lifestyle choice of people all over the world. Giving encouragement to this initiative will be our contribution towards securing a sustainable future for mankind and our planet.

Today homes built with green construction make a statement of being socially correct and socially responsible. One popular method of green construction is using modular ready to build material made in green conscious factories specifically for green buildings. Green construction involves construction of buildings without destroying nature. see more.

Green construction therefore involves using bricks, straw bale and building material that can be replaced or restored. Buildings are constructed to include solar panels and use wind or energy rather than electricity and fossil fuel. Plumbing fittings that can provide less water outflow and manage wastewater for irrigation are important for green construction. Rain harvesting features help save water which is regarded as a dwindling life sustaining resource.

Use of natural ventilation to improve the quality of air is an important part of green construction. All green construction material need to be durable and the maintenance of equipment used should be minimal. Buildings have healthy interiors without allergen attracting carpets and use low toxic paints on the walls.

Plastic lumber used in green construction are climate resistant and environmentally friendly. Lumber from fast growing trees that can be easily propagated are used in green construction. Houses built with green construction are all weather houses that can weather any climate change.

Keyword List: Building a green home, Building a green house

When many people think of green home building, they think dollar signs. I would actually have to agree, sort of. Frequently, people neglect perfectly good structures to build better ones in an attempt to go green. Their heart is in the right place, but it doesn’t make much sense to me. Information.

In my mind, green home building shouldn’t be limited to new construction. Greenness should be promoted in your current home. For example, insulate your home in a better manner to reduce your fuel consumption in the winter and thus reduce your heating costs. Yes, we should build any new construction to green specifications, but so many times I see perfectly good buildings wasted to construct “greener” ones. In my town, a large store went out of business and a difference large store was built. They had a perfectly fine existing structure, but needed to build a newer, better one right next door and coincidently had to demolish acres of woods to do so. Now they are constantly advertising their greenness. Hmm…

Anyway, my point is that sometimes, it’s better to revamp existing structures and make them as green as possible than to construct new buildings and let the others sit and rot. Green home building is not building a brand new home. Green home building means building greenness in your existing one. Click.

Building with green design concepts and architecture can be a rewarding experience for both your wallet and the environment. At first the cost of building a green house may seem steep compared to a standard home, but the savings on utility bills can compensate handsomely. In green house design, electricity is used more efficiently.

Alternative energy sources can be used in building a green house. Wind energy can be harnessed to power electricity in a green house by using turbines. Another way to access electricity is through the installation of solar panels. With the cost of gas and coal powered utilities soaring, an investment in green technologies is likely to offset or even eliminate dependency on these limited resources for those building a green house. Installation and materials are the only aspects of solar and wind power that cost the builder anything. Both abundant and constantly renewable, the resources of sunlight and wind are free! Building green houses with wind turbines and solar panels can be both environmentally friend and economical as sources of power.

Another design concept that can be used in building a green house is the gray water system. Since they reuse water consumed in one area of the home for recycle in other areas, gray water systems are more efficient. Green home residents with gray water systems could use the same water to irrigate a garden that they had previously used to shower. Unnecessary water waste is decreased in recycling water throughout the home from day to day. Gray water systems are yet another state of the art technology that can be used to save money and reduce the carbon footprint of a home.

When building a green house, design and building materials are main factors to consider. Recycled or salvaged materials are an option in building a green house. From insulation to roofing and even flooring, it is possible to use recycled or salvaged materials for nearly every surface in green house designs! Not only are recycled or salvaged materials often more cost effective for building, they are often more durable than other materials. Using locally salvaged building materials can reduce the carbon footprint of a home even more if they are locally obtained. Since it does not require as much energy to manufacture and transport locally salvaged building materials, less pollution is created building a green house.

Different kinds of architecture can be used in building a green house in order to regulate indoor temperatures. Design which increases exposure to sunlight and heat retention is possible with green architecture and would benefit those building in cold climates. In warmer climates, a comparable principle of design can be used in building a green house. By harnessing biomass from beneath the surface of the Earth as well as limiting sun exposure, those in warmer climates can keep cool. There are many ways to save money while reducing carbon footprints in building a green house.

There is an increasingly popular trend toward the use of green home design. Consumers are becoming more aware of the negative effect daily living has on the environment, resulting in increased acceptance of the need for change. Major initiatives over the past three decades have raised support and demand for green homes. New home construction using green home design is expected to increase from 2% in 2005 to 10% in 2010.

Several key factors are integral to green homebuilding. Reduced use of energy, water and natural resources, integration of renewable energy systems, reduced waste and fewer health risks are all requirements of green home design. Products used in construction must be toxin-free and made from natural or recycled materials. Paints and sealants used in green homes are made with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) while wood and insulation products are made from bamboo, soybeans and cotton, which are quickly replaced in the environment. Windows and doors must have a high E factor rating and energy saving appliances and climate control systems must be installed. The green home design incorporates the use of windows and skylights to take advantage of natural light, with trees and other shading devices used to limit heat from summer sun. Natural and mechanical methods of air ventilation filter and vent the air, keeping it fresh and clean. Solar energy is a popular renewable energy source used in green home designs. Environmental consideration is given when selecting the site of the home, such as avoidance of fragile ecosystems like wetlands and the preservation of trees and plant growth or reclamation of existing structures or building sites.

The benefits of green home design are difficult to put a price on. Reduction or elimination of internal pollutants, mold, mildew and carcinogens result from the use of toxin-free, natural products and overall design. Due to this pollutant free environment, occupants of green homes experience fewer respiratory and heart problems, allergies and cancer. The ecological-friendly products and resource conservation create fewer green house effects and pollutants, reducing the negative impact on the environment. Besides the health and environmental benefits of green home design, there is approximately 40% reduction in energy and 50% reduction in water use making green homes more economical to run. With knowledgeable contractors the construction costs are said to be about the same or less than conventional home construction. Additionally, initiatives by private agencies and government to build low cost green homes will further benefit construction costs at all income levels.

As consumers are educated to the benefits of green home design and products and designs improve, more people will choose to build environmentally friendly homes.

Just a little note on my very first blog page. I will try hard to post each and every day here on my blog. My topic if focused on green building and sustainable design Please comment and come back when I have more. I really appreciate that you stopped in my wedding blog.