Living Tomorrow’s Lifestyle Today..
by Mr. Arvind Jain, MD – Pride Group
Green homes can be
defined as living premises that are comfortable, healthy, cost efficient,
energy saving & environmentally sustainable.
They are designed to
make optimal and efficient use of building materials during the construction
process, and energy and water throughout their life cycle. Their larger
objective is to achieve a reduced carbon footprint.
The direct benefits to
owners are:
· Savings on electricity & water
· A healthier lifestyle
· The satisfaction of knowing that they are
supporting the important cause of saving the environment – and thereby the
planet – for the generations to come.
The increased use of
renewable and non-renewable resources by human beings has led to a rapidly
escalating global crisis. We have been exploiting our natural resources to a
point where calamities like global warming, flooding, rising temperatures and
shrinking water levels have become commonplace.
Thankfully, the
current generation has come to understand the importance of sustainable living
practices. There has been a growing acceptance of sustainable solutions that
aim to minimize the impact of the processes of habitation and daily living on
both environment and human health.
A prime tool to this
end is a ‘green home’.
Features Of Green Homes…!
While the elements
that make up a green home are not universally agreed upon, standards in green
modeling of homes do exist. They extend from minor aspects such as
energy-efficient appliances to larger ones like rainwater harvesting.
Importantly, green
homes projects are designed in such a manner that even during construction,
they have the minimum possible impact on the environment at the site
level.
Arvind Jain, MD – Pride Group |
Green home concepts at apartment level…!
· Solar solutions to offset electricity
requirements
· Increased home insulation
· Double Low-E windows
· Using energy star appliances
· Water-efficient plumbing fixtures
· Non-toxic finishes (sealants & VOC Paints)
· Water-efficient landscaping and irrigation
control
· Sustainable recycling programs
· Maximum natural lighting & ventilation
· Green maintenance & plantations
· Native plant landscaping.
Green home concepts at project level..!
· Standardized construction to minimize waste,
and recycling of construction waste
· Storm water collection / rainwater harvesting
· Maximum plantation of shade trees
· Specifically selected building materials to regulate
temperature & facilitate minimum use of air conditioning
Wide-Ranging Benefits …!
Green homes contribute
to healthier living. The special construction materials used in green homes
reduce their inhabitants’ exposure to toxins and allergens. For example,
green-grade ventilation ducts act as a barrier for dust particles and moisture,
consequently reducing the risk of mildew and airborne particulates.
The use of sealants,
paints, wood products and adhesives that integrate volatile and organic chemicals
also reduces the exposure to toxicity. More natural ventilation reduces the use
of air conditioning, which is known to adverse effects on health when used
excessively.
They also help their
owners save a lot of money in the longer run. Because of the kinds of
construction materials, appliances and maintenance processes involved, the
initial investment is more than in traditional homes.
However, green homes
ultimately lead to substantial reductions in energy costs. Energy-efficient
homes can reduce the consumption of electricity by more than 30%. Also, the
targeted engineering involved leads to optimized space configuration and
enhanced efficiency.
The reduced water
wastage in green homes is also very significant in a country which is facing a
rapidly worsening crisis of water availability. To illustrate, water and energy
efficient washing machines can save more than 7,000 gallons of water which
would have otherwise gone to waste every year.
If one extrapolates
such savings to the how much water a green homes project which uses rainwater
harvesting, water recycling and water-efficient appliances throughout, the
magnitude of benefits to the environment – and the pocket – can be understood
even better.
Healthier living
means fewer visits to the doctor and saving money in the process. Further, with
energy prices rising and the climate getting hotter and more erratic, it makes
a lot of sense to opt for a green home as opposed to traditional and
unsustainable living quarters.
About The Author..!
Arvind Jain, MD – Pride Group |
Mr. Arvind Jain is Managing Director of The Pride Group, a
world-class property development conglomerate that is changing the cityscapes
of Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore.
Established in 1996, Pride Group has built and
delivered over 10 million sq.ft. of constructed area.
Pride Group has recently launched Pride World City, the
400-acre luxury mega-township at Charoli, Pune.
For Media Contact
Jay Kalghatgi
Client Interface - CopyConnect
Mobile: 9320142248
Jay Kalghatgi
Client Interface - CopyConnect
Mobile: 9320142248
No comments:
Post a Comment