Nowadays Green Home concept has become quite popular everywhere in India when it comes to real estate, whereas what it means is not clear to layman. There are few standards set by governing authorizes for “eco friendly homes” or “Green Homes” and this is no where related to Green color building. So how buyer should identify whether developer calling his project, Green Building project which he has built with ecological focus , is actually a “Green Home”.
Some of the features of Green Homes are:
Homes which increase insulation i.e. homes are really energy efficient, a home should be insulated extra then the minimum local needs. This comprises of floor insulation, which is done in the concrete foundation. Walls, floors and ceilings, windows everything must be insulating. Because of Green home standards double paned and/or vinyl windows are becoming very common.
Entire home is taken into account when we speak about energy efficiency. Using of very less water in toilets is also must and so people nowadays are using extra eco-concious flushes. These extra options allows to have a better flush for solid waste. Water flow has to be limited without compromising there function in Shower heads, washing machines, faucets and dishwashers. Now a day’s people have started using 5 star inverter Air conditioners, refrigerators, heaters etc in their home which have highest standard of energy efficiency. Other than these things, normal tube lights have been replaced by compact fluorescent lights or LED lights wherever suitable in entire home.
Other factor to be checked in “Green Homes” or “Eco Friendly Home” is a use of non-toxic, or at least less-toxic, materials in building. One should always buy home with low VOC paints i.e.volatile organic compounds are carbon-containing substances that easily become vapors or gases present in paints, coatings and cleaning products. Paints labeled “low-VOC” should contain fewer than 50 grams per liter of volatile compounds, if they meet the Green Seal standards. If looking for Green Home, we should focus on creating more low- or zero-VOC interior paints.
Another factor in Green Home is bamboo or cork flooring which is used at finishing Stage.
And if looking for indoor finishing in eco-friendly homes or Green homes, maximum use of natural fabrics such as wool and cotton for carpets and window dressings is taken care of.
Outside façade should have lot of Green Homes in Eco Friendly Homes. Xeriscaping is a popular means of landscaping now a days in Green Buildings. There are seven essential principles to Xeriscaping — appropriate planning and design, soil improvement, plant selection, practical turf areas, watering, use of mulch and maintenance. The plants used are naturally drought-resistant as they are acclimatized to the local temperature and environment, Will always need less water to grow and maintain the entire landscaped area with beautiful beds of flowers and plants.
Last but not the least another outdoor landscaping trend in Green Homes or eco friendly homes is usage of permeable paving stones. These paving stones actually absorb water naturally, which then is naturally filtered through the earth and goes back into the ground-water supply.
Green Home or Eco friendly homes should have cross ventilation in the buildings with natural exposure of sunlight in all homes. Using Fly ash bricks in the construction which helps in maintaining temperature from inside for homes is another feature.
If developer is promoting his project or homes as a Green Home or Eco friendly home, you as a buyer should never hesitate to ask the builder about some of these features and try studying more about the certification he is promoting though online search. If they don’t measure up, don’t buy that home.
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Author: NIKITA DAGAR