Green Building

Green Building

GREEN BUILDING

While constructing a building these are to be considered:

5 Steps to Make Home Energy Efficient

                   Energy conservation is one of the resounding messages from the proponents of resource conservation and green living. As a result of the messages, many people have taken various measures to conserve energy. However, one place that can give a huge boost to the conservation efforts is the Home.

Preserving energy reduces pollution, conserves the environment and has financial benefits. Prospective homeowners can hire specialists to design and build eco-friendly homes. Current homeowners can also adjust their homes to make them more energy efficient. The average new home requires facilities such as air conditioning for maintenance of acceptable comfort levels. Adjustments in “energy use in a home” must be made with a long term perspective.

Tips for Enhancing Energy Efficiency

1. Insulate. The insulation technique varies depending on the house; older houses are insulated from inside while new ones can be insulated from outside. The insulation should be applied consistently throughout the house to maximize effectiveness. For instance, a wall can be well insulated but if it’s next to a window, then the insulation will have little effect. The best insulation sheathing is one that assist insulation as well as condensation control. Install quality, low emissivity coated, or triple glazed windows with fill gas. The window size should be relatively smaller to reduce air loss.

2. The location of the sun during the day can be easily predicted. If the home is located in an area with tropical climates, plant trees to shade it from the sun. If located in wintry areas, plant deciduous trees (the varieties that lose their leaf). The trees will protect the home during the summer and let the sun in during the winter.

3. Install “energy efficient appliances in the home” such as water heaters, furnaces and air conditioners when necessary. When purchasing these items, look for the energy efficient label. Aim for a tank less hot water system, 90% condensing furnace and 12 -13 SEER air conditioner for cool areas and a 14 or higher SEER for warm areas. Address the house’s electric loads. Reduce the rate of electricity usage with fluorescent bulbs. Purchase an energy efficient washing machine with a good energy star rating.

4. Try to air dry laundry which reduces home’s energy demands but durability of clothes is not ensured. Apartments or homes located in cold areas can use indoor drying rack while in sunny areas can dry clothes outside on a line. Careful line drying can also eliminate the need for ironing which is a better means of saving energy and time.

5. Use energy efficient technologies such as “home windmills”  or “gas turbines” generate energy for the house. Wind energy provides an alternative fuel source that does not result in emission of fossil fuel. Gas turbine generators create energy through a flow of continuously combusting gas. Installation of solar panels is another effective strategy for conserving energy. Solar panels harness energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. Windmills and solar panels are installed with additional equipment for conversion of wind and solar energy respectively to electricity. Solar panels and windmills can be installed in places that have limited wind or sunlight and be used interchangeably.

-J.Nivashni (II MBA)