| When building a new home, adding on an | | | | - energy efficient appliances and white goods |
| extension or even just a simple remodel within | | | | - lighting, including CFL's (compact fluorescent |
| your home, you should always consider your local | | | | lamp) |
| environment to maximize the efficiency of every | | | | - hydronic heating |
| aspect of your project. | | | | - air conditioners with inverter technology |
| There are four main areas that need to be | | | | All of these products will either generate free |
| focused on when planning your building project. | | | | electricity, use much less energy than other |
| They include: | | | | products on the market, or control the |
| - water | | | | temperature of your home to save on running |
| - energy | | | | costs to maintain comfort. |
| - building materials | | | | Building materials is another important |
| Each of these areas contain specific products and | | | | consideration when starting your project. Many |
| methods that can really benefit your home | | | | materials have good qualities, while others can |
| lifestyle and increase the capital on your house to. | | | | contain harmful chemicals which can be dangerous |
| The first area to cover is water, which may or | | | | for your health. Knowing all these risks is almost |
| may not be relevant to your project. However, | | | | impossible, but there are certain things to look for |
| where ever there is plumbing or an outside wall | | | | when making these decisions. |
| where gutters can be fixed the optimal water | | | | - Use as much untreated materials as possible. |
| conservation methods should be utilized where | | | | Most treated materials use very harsh chemicals |
| possible. There are many interior products that | | | | which contain volatile organic compounds (VOC's) |
| can really help to reduce water wastage and | | | | and formaldehyde. Over time, these compounds |
| improve efficiency which include: | | | | break down and become part of your indoor |
| - water saving taps | | | | breathing space. |
| - water efficient showerheads | | | | - These VOC's can also be found in conventional |
| - composting toilets | | | | paints and finishes. Always ask your supplier for |
| - water diverters (diverters which hold the water | | | | brands which use little or no VOC's in their |
| while the hot water reaches your tap to save | | | | products. |
| wasting all that water whilst waiting for the hot | | | | - Concrete that contains high levels of flyash are |
| water to arrive) | | | | much better for the environment and lower the |
| Furthermore, by installing a Greywater system | | | | use of the toxic concrete powder in construction |
| you can use all the water that usually runs down | | | | - Conventional termite control utilizes the harshest |
| your drain, on your garden or lawn. | | | | of all chemicals and can be extremely carcinogenic. |
| For the exterior, high quality gutters and water | | | | However, there are many new products that can |
| storage devices such as water tanks are ideal for | | | | remove termite problems without the use of |
| harvesting hundreds of litres of water that can be | | | | harmful chemicals. Always ask your provider |
| used for a variety of applications. | | | | about their environmental policy and research the |
| A strong water budget mixed with an overall | | | | chemical they use |
| highly efficient water system can save you heaps | | | | - Many insulation companies still use the resin |
| of money on water bills and reduce the impact on | | | | based fiberglass insulation which contains high |
| your local catchment system. | | | | levels of formaldehyde and are damaging to your |
| The second part of this article focuses on energy. | | | | health. Look for insulation that is glass wool or |
| Most people immediately think solar and then think | | | | made from cellulose fibre is your best bet for |
| "I can't afford it!" but there is much more that | | | | your families health and the environments. |
| can be done to improve the efficiency of the | | | | - Double glazed windows and the utilization of |
| energy usage in your home. | | | | roller shutters and blinds is the best way to |
| If you are doing large scale renovations, the | | | | reduce heat build up within your home. |
| position of your home / room in regards to sun | | | | - Strawbale and compressed earth homes are |
| direction is vitally important. A north-south facing | | | | becoming more and more popular due to their |
| house is much more energy efficient in terms of | | | | constant interior comfort levels, and no they don't |
| temperature control as the sun has less direct | | | | look like "mud huts", in fact, they are fast |
| focus on the rooms. | | | | becoming a distinguished and stylish home design |
| Many different products exist to generate energy | | | | - Finally, cabinets and draws often use the cheap |
| or improve the energy usage and overall | | | | particle board over the solid wood varieties to |
| efficiency of your home. Some of these include: | | | | save money. However, the particle board contains |
| - a solar panel system, either stand alone, grid | | | | formaldehyde to bind the particles together. |
| connect or hybrid with wind turbines to generate | | | | Building and home improvement can be very |
| electricity | | | | satisfying when the job is complete. However, it |
| - high quality insulation, including batts and foil | | | | becomes even better if taking into consideration |
| boards | | | | these factors mentioned above to make your |
| - solar hot water systems | | | | home comfortable all year round for you and |
| - ventilation and extraction fans | | | | your family. |