Everyone loves the idea of living green. It can be quite a social statement. People living green get a lot of attention and adoration for their environment friendly ways. But living green is not a simple feet. As we mentioned before when we briefly discussed the aspects of green building, there are many complicated and expensive methods and materials to consider. Today we’ll discuss some green home designs and habits that you can implement with little effort.
Energy Saver
There are tons of ways to save on electricity now. Compact Fluorescent light-bulbs – or as we better know them, energy saver lights – have become a common sight in most households. Energy Star appliances are also becoming a big thing. These were heavily implemented in computers long ago and have really begun to transcend into everyday appliances over the years. They adhere to methods that conserves electricity consumption based on requirement of the product at different times, which is really cut down on electricity bills.
Water Conservation
Many people have started adopting water conservation measures throughout their households. More expensive and fancy homes have automated taps that activate based on proximity, but it’s still rare. More common are low-flow taps where maximum water flow is regulated to never exceed a certain point. Toilet tanks use the most water in one go. Lots of companies now have models with two buttons; one for the regular full flush and one for a half flush, depending on requirement. We tend to use water too freely at times and forget that it really is a perishable resource.
Green walls and roof
Greenery is beautiful. It is great for the environment but it also has quite a few uses in saving energy. Many green home designs are incorporating fully green roofs that function as a getaway from busy modern life but also does wonders for temperature control. It works as insulation for the home, reducing cooling costs in the summer and heating costs in the winter. Green walls function in the same manner. Many apartments in Dhaka grant access to the roof and you can ask for permission to have a section dedicated to your green thumb. But it is important to maintain the plants so that they don’t grow rampant.
Climate control
Dhaka city can get quite hot. In most cases, we turn to our air conditioning for comfort. But air conditioners are highly power hungry devices meaning higher emissions in the long run. Many energy saver and eco modes and systems have been introduced for green home designs over the years. But now with the easily available Inverter air conditioning units provided by many popular brands, power saving is at an all-time high. Yes, the units are a little more expensive to purchase, but the long term benefits add up and you’ll be saving money, and the environment, in no time.
Another less thought about temperature measure can be changing window setup. Windows spacers have become very popular in many countries where it is colder; keep in mind Bangladesh suffers quite difficult winters. These spacers function to insulate rooms; keeping cold rooms cold and warm rooms warm. Windows have generally been seen as protection from smell, pollution and noise. Spacers help with these as well, if those remain important issues to you in green homes
Decorations
As more and more people jump onto the living green bandwagon, lots of artists and companies are focusing on green art. Creative pieces can be items depicting nature or actually made from recycled material. For example, picture frames made from old recycled cardboard scraps to hold your beloved images. Or ornamental pieces made from scrap metal to be showcased in green homes for your next get together with friends.
Habits
While these things do help get the house ready, no green home designs are complete without a change in behavior. Simple things like not leaving the lights or fan on in an unoccupied room, or not leaving the tap running when brushing your teeth can go a long way. Unplug electronics that are not in use as they still draw a very small amount of power that can add up over time. Using the laundry only when you have a full load to wash rather than for stray articles of clothing is both a water and energy saver. These habits are the true signs of living green with green home designs.
There are so many things that can help create green home designs. Some measures require a little investment and can even be expensive first steps, but the benefits over time are definitely worth it. Whether for the environment or for the wallet, living green is a great
