February 20, 2009

Green building concept has emerged from the need to meet high standards of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. Focus is mainly on resources such as energy, water and materials and attains efficiency of these resources. It is said to reduce the energy bills and offer a healthier and more comfortable living environment. Reduce the effect of environmental hazards and ease its effects on human health and environment too. It is said that natural daylight design reduces a building's electricity needs, and improves people's health and productivity. Use of non-toxic materials and products will improve indoor air quality, and reduce the rate of asthma, allergy and sick building syndrome. These materials are emission-free, have low or no VOC content, and are moisture resistant to deter moulds, spores and other microbes.

It is the use of eco friendly materials that highlights the concept of green building. Purchase eco friendly products to build a green home or a sustainable environmental building. Enhance the energy efficiency of your building! Put to use environmental friendly technology and see how energy efficient your building can get. Passive solar design can dramatically lower down the heating and cooling costs of a building, as with high levels of insulation and energy-efficient windows. Indoor air quality is also addressed through ventilation systems and materials that control humidity and allow a building to breathe.

It usually requires a systemic attention to the full life cycle impacts of resources which is embodied in such green building and to the resource consumption and pollution emissions over the building's complete life cycle. Green buildings are also popularly known as eco homes or sustainable buildings. It is generally agreed that green buildings are structures which are designed, sited, built, renovated and operated to energy-efficient guidelines, and that they will have a positive environmental, economic and social impact over their life cycle. Green specifications provide a good set of guidelines for the building industry, but these are still in the process of being formalised into UK regulation and many are open to interpretation. Make use of low energy appliances, energy efficient lighting and renewable energy technologies which uses solar panels and wind turbines.

In addition to addressing the above areas, a green building should provide cost savings to the builder and occupants, and meet the broader needs of the community, by using local labour, providing affordable housing, and ensuring the building is sited appropriately for community needs.

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