Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Building An Environmentally Green House Has Endless Benefits



Energy and cost efficiency are two perks of building using green architecture and design. Although the initial costs of building a green house may top those of a conventional home, expenditures can be made up in reduced utility bills. In green house design, electricity is used more efficiently.

Building a green house easily allows for new energy sources to be utilized. Using wind turbines can be one way to create electricity in green homes. Another way to access electricity is through the installation of solar panels. Gas and coal power are steadily increasing in price, but it will probably have little effect on those installing green technologies. The only costs in using solar and wind power are the materials and installation costs. Both abundant and constantly renewable, the resources of sunlight and wind are free! Both solar panels and wind turbines are economical and environmentally friendly tools that can be used to tackle energy issues inherent in building a green house.

A gray water system is another design concept that can be used in building a green house. Gray water systems are more efficient because they use water from one area of household and recycle it elsewhere in the dwelling. For instance, using a gray water system could allow green home residents to collect water used while showering for watering a garden or flushing toilets! Since water is being reused throughout the home, less of this precious resource is being unnecessarily wasted in day to day living. Reducing the carbon footprint of a home and saving money on water utilities are two benefits afforded by using state of the art gray water system technologies.

Building materials used and design of the dwelling are also key factors to consider when building a green house. Recycled or salvaged materials are an option in building a green house. Green house designs can incorporate recycled or salvaged materials for almost every need, including flooring, roofing and even insulation! 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. In building a green house, using building materials obtained locally is better for the environment because they do not require as much energy to manufacture and transport.

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. The ways to reduce carbon footprints while saving money are truly endless when building a green house!



No comments: