Green building: energy efficient solar hot water systems

During the green building process there are three main ideas to follow.  Your home should be healthy, the building process should preserve the environment, and of course it should be energy efficient.

The main idea behind solar hot water systems is that they use a free, abundant natural resource; the sun’s energy. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions, thus contributing to environmental protection. It also saves you money by reducing the costs of your hot water bills.

Installing a solar hot water system makes great economic sense, as the prices for other energy sources grow and these systems easily pay for themselves over their lifetime (considering current prices they tend to pay for themselves in 5-15 years.). The system can be installed in a few days, and it can work for over 30 years if receiving regular annual maintenance checks.

Solar hot water systems can save over 18% of your tax payments each year. They also increase the property value of your green home.

Usually solar hot water system consists of a solar collector, a heat charger and a storage tank. In general solar collectors, mounted on the roof look like a quality, opaque, glass skylight that improves the appearance of the home.

The suitability is approved too! A typical system requires just up to six meters of roof space for collectors. This is a reliable and tested technology that really works and saves your own resources as well as environmental resources! 

Green building materials when flooring: choose the right one!

During green building, different materials can be used.  All of them are natural, non-toxic, energy-saving, used long-term and will save your resources.  The most popular materials used in flooring are,

• bamboo
• cork
• glazed porcelain tile
• composite decking
• teak interlocking deck tiles

Bamboo is widely used for "green" flooring because of its physical similarities to hardwoods.  It is strong, durable, as well as resistant to insects and moisture.

Cork is first used for wine corks, but the remainder is used for a number of green building material applications, most notably for flooring.  There is little or no waste and the trees remain unharmed by this strictly controlled harvesting process.

Glazed porcelain tile is comprised of up to 40% recyclable materials, which are described as "post-industrial,"  that is, materials which are leftover from the production of other unrelated goods.  It is a much harder material and more wear and damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles.

Composite decking makes use of recycled materials, putting discarded elements like plastics to a long-lasting second use.

The production of teak interlocking deck tiles contributes to the conservation of natural resources and the reduction of raw material use.  The wood content of teak deck tiles is 100% pre-consumer recycled material procured from the manufacturer's in-house furniture production.

Among these materials you can always choose more efficient and suitable for you, join green building with us!

Building Green: Purchasing of Green Building Materials

Before you begin your green home construction, you must have green building materials.  There are some limitations  however, in terms of what you are able to purchase.

When you are interested in building green, you must still consider your budget.  When you look for green building materials you will probably find that the greener the product,  the more expensive it is.  Those products that are less green tend to be cheaper.  If you cannot afford the more expensive, or green products, do not push yourself.  Choose the home building materials that are in your price range.

The second limitation in building green is the local market supply.  The green building materials that are offered in your area may not be as green as the products offered in other areas, but you should not order them from somewhere else.  You want to build a green home which means you want to care for the environment.  Remember, the delivery of green building materials will not be green at all.

In conclusion, building green does not mean that your future home will be totally green, and that you will use the best quality of green building materials.  The idea is to go as green as possible while considering your financial capacities, and your local building market supply.