Easy and simple ways to adopt sustainable living practices

While India has seen the mushrooming of a number of green buildings, the concept has been restricted mainly to large offices and commercial spaces. However, the trend is now catching on with private residences as well. And, it comes with a certification from The Energy and Resources Institute, or TERI, and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). 

That a green home is expensive to build and requires a lot to maintenance is a myth. An ideal green home is one that would conserve natural resources, use all local materials (recycle wherever possible), consume minimum water, optimise energy efficiency, generate less waste (and recycle whatever little is generated) and provide a healthier space for occupants as compared to a conventional building.

Green architects also incorporate simple measures like placement of windows to bring in as much natural light as possible. This can be done without compromising on insulation (with the use of double glass that keeps the harsh weather out), use of low-albedo paints that have a high reflective index, sun-reflective tiles and paints on the roof. Also, minimise the use of wood (sometimes excellent quality is available in the second-hand market), opt for solar panels, rain-water harvesting and garbage treatment. Here are a few points to be kept in mind while making a green home.

Structure

AAC blocks (autoclaved aerated concrete) should be used for the external walls and fly ash bricks for the inner walls as both of these are natural insulators of heat and are produced from industrial waste.

Orientation

The plot’s longer sides should be north-south oriented so that the house receives diffused natural light and not glare from the direct sunlight. If not, then there can be east and west facing windows that should be either double glazed or have a projection or balcony covering the windows sufficiently.

Openings

The windows should be placed maximum on the north side so that maximum light and minimum glare is received from the sun. If this is not possible, then one can place them in the east and west directions by making the balcony’s projection in such a way that it shades the window and allows diffused lighting.

Preserve rainwater

Rainwater should be collected from the terrace and balconies for a harvesting tank. Excess water can be sent to the ground through bores for raising underground water level. Waste-water from the bathrooms and kitchens should be chemically or organically treated and reused for gardening or carwash.

Waste management

Sewage should not be released directly into the municipal lines. Installing a sewage treatment plant on site does the first level of treatment. After the treatment, the water is sent to the municipal treatment plant where it is treated further. Also, kitchen waste can be used to produce natural compost with the use of a vertical composter. This reduces the overall garbage from the building and provides natural compost for the garden.

Use old building materials 

Reuse materials from old buildings such as old chowkhats and bricks in non-critical areas.

Energy

Most of the energy consumed in India is to keep the buildings cool. This can be avoided if the envelope of the building is insulated so that it gains less heat. Insulations in the walls and roof, such as using earthen pots in the slab, help reduce heat gain. Solar photo-voltaic panels for generating electricity and solar water heaters should also be used. Light fixtures should be changed to LEDs and CFLs for less energy consumption.

Terrace

The roof of any building gets the maximum heat. Insulations in the flooring such as vermiculite/Styrofoam can be used. Reflective mosaic tile flooring helps reduce heat gain effectively. Landscaping on the roof, with terrace gardens and water bodies, is also helpful.

Water bodies

Add water bodies in some form at home to manage the micro-climate of the building. Water bodies on the terrace can help in evaporative cooling.

Others

Driveway and roads should be lined with plants or trees to keep them shaded. Typically, driveways should have interlocking grass pavers for underground water recharge. For landscaping, local plants, shrubs and native trees should be used.