Sustainability Measures in Eco-Homes

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Sustainable Live
Solar systems
Wind energy
Solar Orientation
Hydroelectricity and Water Usage
Energy Efficiency Variants
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Sustainability ensures that people get energy resources continuously without affecting future generation. Renewable sources of energy are those that are ever present and would not deplete since they regenerate by themselves.

The following are renewable sources; Hydroelectricity, Biomass, Solar thermal, Solar electricity, and Geothermal. This paper examines sustainable measures that should be adopted in Eco-homes.

Sustainable progress is an issue stirred by drift from an ideal thought to a supreme endeavor to tackle emerging problems of financial challenges and ecological problems. This category of revolution has endeavored to solve existing social problems.

At present, people prefer eco-friendly programs when constructing their homes. Such houses are friendly to ecological bio-diversity and preserve future sustainability of the existing world. Eco-home is also known as sustainable house/ home because it is advantageous and costs-effective its owner.

There are scores of components which can be incorporated into a new home or existing house to offer vital development to environmental sustainability condition. In fact, incorporation of such components depends on provision of significant needs and cost of materials and equipment.

Diagram below illustrates a typical Eco- friendly house

A typical Eco- friendly house.

Sustainable Live

At present, “people depend mostly on fossil fuel such as natural gas, oil and coal energy, the world is actually changing” (Barrell, Kirbby & Whitworth, 2011). It is important to note that fossil fuel depletes.

For instance, natural gas, coal, and oil are non-renewable energy resources besides being a threat to environmental preservation. In fact, fossil fuels pollute environment when they are exploited. Actually, pollution is dangerous to living organisms.

According to Guy & Moore (2005), sustainable living is an essential persistent purpose to achieve at least a better standard of living conditions (2005). Actually, sustainability is a state of acquiring social, environmental, and economical expectations without compromising important aspects of life for future generation.

Indeed, sustainable living therefore, is expressed as a situation of living in an innate sustainable and appealing facility distinct of ecological, financial, and conscious features. Moreover, Carroll (2010) asserts that sustainable devise and sustainable progress are significant features in achieving sustainable living situation (2010).

Indeed, sustainable devise covers the progress of suitable technology. This is an inevitable requisite for sustainable living condition. On the other hand, sustainable progress is the use of technological devices in creating a sustainable living environment such as a home.

For example, agricultural commitments and constructional designs are common household programs that are motivated by sustainable progress.

Undeniably, sustainable homes are erected by means of sustainable techniques and materials. This is in line with the need to promote green environment and facilitate sustainable living standards (Nemetz, 1999).

Actually, construction of such houses and installation of preservation conditions have neutral consequences on world environment. Frequently, such finest proximities are indispensable services in public and business places, educational institutions, day cares, charitable organizations, and working places.

As a matter of fact, such atmospheric nature would facilitate sustainable and effective infrastructural lifestyle. As a consequence, there are many principle components which offer important ideals to sustainable home/ house.

Era of New Energy Resources

In the modern world, new energy is normally utilized for daily activities. There are many types of new energy sources which people utilize. In fact, such new energy sources were not available twenty years ago. Rather than depending on electricity, that is generated from coal burning, home owners are advised to install special panels in their house roofs.

Reflectively, “such special panels can transform sunshine energy into electric power” (Desimone & Popoff, 2000). Moreover, wind towers can also be installed in remote regions. These wind towers are normally made to propel wind energy into electric power source.

Pastoral fields where such wind towers are installed are known as Wind farms. Besides the wind mills, another source of new energy is obtained from water, wind, and sunlight.

Indeed, “energy harvested from water, wind and sunlight are generally known as renewable energy due to the fact that they are never exhausted” (Edward & Turrent, 2000). In addition, renewable energy is safe when used because it does not pollute environment. Such kind of energy is called sustainable energy.

Energy tools

Energy is really important in human daily activities. Energy normally produces light, warmth, assist in cooking, and operate electronic appliances like cars, toys, and television. Actually, people can modify the manner in which they utilize energy by consuming less energy.

Indeed, energy devices that assist in saving energy are available in the market. For instance, Barrell, Kirbby & Whitworth (2011) opine that compact fluorescent light bulbs normally utilize less energy than normal light bulbs (2011). In reality, people should use energy from various renewable sources.

For example, wind farms are cost effective in terms of generating energy than fossil fuels. Also, solar panels are commonly available and more economical in producing electricity. Renewable energy resources are efficient in that they would not be depleted even in the future. Hence, are recommended to be used.

Certainly, housing constructors have a great role to support people in order to fulfill energy objectives stipulated in the House Energy Conservation Policy. These intentions are important in supporting house owners to observe energy efficiency measures.

Energy efficiency at home

The foundation for any attempt to conserve energy must begin with care to survey existing appliances. Once this has been fulfilled, a policy can be formulated to improve energy appliances at home.

Sasnauskaita, Uzsilaityte & Rogoza (2007) asserts that “energy survey is helpful in enacting energy policy, in fact provide energy guidelines to home users; give energy grants to qualified home owners; provide maintenance policies and upcoming energy auditing” (2007).

“Energy efficiency focuses on how heating, ventilation, solar gain, insulation, day lighting and thermal mass operate effectively” (Edward & Turrent, 2000). In fact, minimizing energy consumption at homes is should be the main priority. This is should be followed by utilization of renewable energy.

Proper house insulation is an effective method of reducing energy consumption at home. Actually, “installing Retrofitting Insulation is important since it would enhance aeration in the house; reduces fuel expenses; promote comfortable dwelling to home inhabitants, and conserve building fabrics” (Nemetz, 1999).

In fact, it is appropriate to utilize natural organic materials when insulating a house in order to reduce health and ecological effects. Reflectively, “about ten percent heat loss may occur through windows.

This therefore requires adequate insulation through installing double glazing frames or even single glazed frame” (Keijzers, 2004). In fact, it is important to increase insulation in floors, walls and roofs. Moreover, “home owners should use low and natural energy insulation devices” (Inoquchi, Newman & Paoletto, 1999).

Solar systems

According to Guy & Moore, solar systems normally utilize Photovoltaic Modules to generate power for lighting purposes and for energizing small electric appliances (2005). Indeed, solar system needs to be recharged by use of a battery in order to provide power at all time even during cloudy weather or at night.

Solar systems have brought great support to homes especially in developing nations. Indeed, solar systems are alternative to unhealthy and smoky paraffin lamps. Moreover, Edward & Turrent (2000) asserts that:

Solar systems provide bright light that is good for facilitating social, studies and jobs duties at night. Solar stems provide electric energy to electronic appliances like Mobile phone changers and Radio, etc. Moreover, there are also solar latents that are smaller in size hence can be moved from one place to another (2000).

Moonlight as a source of energy

Solar panels rely on sunlight for energy in order to generate electricity. In case there is no sunlight, there would no electricity. However, solar panels normally store more electricity in batteries that would be used to provide electric energy during cloudy weather or at night. However, “solar panels are not rechargeable using moonlight.

This is because Moon does not produce its own light energy” (Edward & Turrent, 2000). In fact, Moon does not have its own light but only reflect light from the sun. Reflected light from the moon has no sufficient Photons which cannot recharge solar panels to produce electricity. Desimone & Popoff (2000) expressed that stellar panels can be utilized to produce stellar energy from stars (2000).

Actually stellar panel can be an alternative to solar panel hence can produce electric power during cloudy weather or at night. Challenges of such a supplementary way of harvesting energy are the technological and financial factors. Actually, resources suitable for transforming stellar energy into electric power has not been realized fully and the operating cost of installing such device are very high (Carroll, 2010).

Anyway, Barrell, Kirbby & Whitworth (2011) assert that there are speculations that Russian scientists have invented a device that can transform stellar energy into electric power (2011).

This device is known as Heteroelectric device which is affordable in generate energy than solar panel. Heteroelectric device is said to be efficient just like solar panels.

Wind energy

According to Sasnauskaita, Uzsilaityte & Rogoza (2007), wind energy is a renewable source of energy produced by wind turbines (2007). Actually, the energy does not pollute environment.

Moreover, wind energy is an affordable renewable energy. Currently, wind farms are set up to produce electricity and are a better alternative than fossil fuel. Furthermore, the invention of wind energy is developing fast as nations adopt use of wind energy.

In addition, wind energy is non exhaustive in nature and is available in plenty. Wind energy is affordable as it require reduced operation cost. Indeed, wind energy is efficient and locally available to any community. Undeniably, wind farms are capable of generating electricity effectively.

The following diagram shows a typical wind turbine in a wind farm

A typical wind turbine in a wind farm.

Solar Orientation

Carroll observes that appropriate orientation at home is important strategy to save energy cost related to heating appliances (2010). Actually, sustainable devises are suitable for housing programs. Indeed, climatic variation would influence different use of various devise parameters.

For instance, sustainable home devises for tropical climate is different from temperate climate. Furthermore, Desimone & Popoff explain that sustainable devises need to use natural energy from the sun and cooling conditions during evening hours (2000).

Actually, appropriate devise needs to reduce mechanized energy and cooling operations. Moreover, sustainable system should use natural renewable energy for cooling and heating purposes. Certainly, sustainable energy sources can be acquired from vegetation, sun, and breeze.

Guy & Moore opine that the design and position of windows is also a crucial factor that facilitate cooling and heating of a house (2005). For example, vertical or horizontal Louvers are preferred to Sliding windows.

Louver windows are indeed more important since they offer more breadth to regulate aeration in the house. In addition, property owner should be aware of insulation values for energy reflection and penetration through glass window. “

There are actually many types of glass windows; hence home owners should be cautious when selecting glass windows” (Sasnauskaita, Uzsilaityte & Rogoza, 2007). Furthermore, shade orientation should also be put into consideration.

For example, scorch summer sunshine should be minimized while winter sunlight enhanced. Definitely, this situation calls for a convenient glass window.

Material choice is also a vital consideration. For example, dense materials are more useful in temperate climate since they suitably release heat energy. On the other hand, Lighter materials normally cool faster and therefore are suitable to be used in tropical climate (Guy & Moore, 2005).

In addition, floors, walls, and ceiling insulations are also important in house livability. Home dwellers should check the choice of insulation that can integrate both bulk and reflective insulations.

The diagram below is an illustration of a solar panel

A solar panel.

Hydroelectricity and Water Usage

Guy & Moore opine that hydroelectricity has more benefits not only to home consumers but also in environmental conservation (2005). Hydro-power is a renewable energy source. Expenses of water consumption normally increase due to expansionary needs of developing towns.

Actually, there are appropriate cost measures which can be adopted to ensure water consumption is minimized in an existing or new house. Indeed, minimized consumption of water would offer two important solutions. First, financial cost used to pay water bills would definitely reduce.

Secondly, reduced water consumption would ensure that infrastructural costs for operating Dams are reduced (Mickaityte, 2008). Actually, building new Dam reservoirs would cost more to tax payers. In addition, construction of Dam reservoirs would ruin ecological bio-diversity in the building site as a response to enhance water use for people.

Indeed, an average household normally use 80% of water as a consequence of gardening, bathroom, and toilet water consumptions. Furthermore, government officials normally use a lot of money to treat water for safe use. Indeed, most of this treated water is wasted in toilet flush, bathroom drains and irrigation purposes.

Making use of water saving equipments is appropriate way for minimizing water use for household needs. For example, “Toilet Duel Flush is more important in saving water consumption in toilets” (Desimone & Popoff, 2000).

Furthermore, use of rain water reservoirs is more important way of minimizing water consumption. Actually, such tanks store colossal amount of rain water that would be suitable for household use. Definitely, water tank is more suitable use for bathroom and toilet purposes, and for gardening use.

Energy Efficiency Variants

“Power consumption in households can vary due to seasonal period” (Carroll, 2010). However, renewable energy sources such as solar heat and wind energy have unrestricted supply hence are important and recommendable because they minimize greenhouse gas effects.

Actually, the use of renewable energy is cost-effective because it reduces dependency on fossil fuel for energy production. Moreover, the cost of renewable energy is cheaper than fossil fuel. Indeed, “Wind generators and Photovoltaic panels are good examples of renewable energy” (Sasnauskaita, Uzsilaityte & Rogoza, 2007).

In fact, Photovoltaic panels are better alternative for electricity use in urban regions. On the other hand, Wind generator is noisy. Therefore, it is less recommendable in urban dwelling.

Generation of hot water is normally costly for households use. Solar heaters are therefore, the best alternative to minimize energy consumption. In fact, Solar heaters make use of renewable energy hence are cost effective.

Moreover, this operation can be supplemented with Gas heaters to facilitate heating water during misty or cloudy weather. Indeed, misty clouds would not favor operation of solar heaters. Furthermore, Guy & Moore viewed that the choice of light appliances is also important to minimize energy use at home (2005).

Actually, the most convenient lighting appliance is Fluorescence lighting bulbs. Though, Florescence lighting bulbs are expensive, they are cost effective in terms of saving energy and are more durable than the ordinary bulbs.

Conclusion

Sustainable house management is important discipline to property owners who intend to maintain new houses or renovate their homes. Indeed, the discussed sustainable components can be conveniently fixed into households at minimal cost.

Furthermore, the incorporation of ecological components is convenient for household affairs. Actually, sustainable household is an ecological and friendly consumption of standardized home accessories. In fact, sustainable households need to integrate modern information about house planning, sufficient space for family programs, place for private life, and even silent area for parent’s affairs.

Actually, it is a moment of optimism and enthusiasm when human perception aspire eco-movement. Moreover, global consciousness has migrated to a greener livable, cost-effective consumption, and ecological friendly attitude.

References

Barrell, R., Kirbby, S., & Whitworth, R. (2011). Real House Prices in UK. National Institute Economic Review, 21-37.

Carroll, E. (2010). Twenty-Five years in the Making: Why Sustainable Development has Eluded the U.N and how Community-driven Development Offers Solution. Houston Journal of International law, 32, 1-5.

Desimone, L. D., & Popoff, F. (2000). Eco-Efficiency: the Business Link to Sustainable Development. Cambridge: MIT Press.

Edward, B., & Turrent, D. (2000). Sustainable Housing: Principle & Practice. London: E & FN Spon.

Guy, S., & Moore, S. A. (2005). Sustainable Architectures: Culture and Natures in Europe and North America. New York: Spon Press.

Inoquchi, T., Newman, E., & Paoletto. (1999). Cities and the Environment: New Approaches for Eco- societies. New York: United Nations University Press.

Keijzers, G. (2004). Business Government and Sustainable Development. New York: Routledge.

Mickaityte, A. (2008). The Concept Model of Sustainable Building Refurbishment. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 12, 2-30.

Nemetz, P.N. (1999). Bringing Business on Board: Sustainable Development and the School Curriculum. Journal of Business Administration and Policy Analysis, 3-19.

Sasnauskaita, V., Uzsilaityte, L., & Rogoza, A. (2007). A Sustainable Analysis of a Detached House Heating System throughout its Life Cycle, a Case Study. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 11, 2-12.

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