WHAT IS GREEN BUILDING

Several building processes and occupant functions generate large amounts of waste, which can be recycled for use or can be reused directly. Buildings are thus one of the major pollutants that affect urban air quality and nearby ecosystem and contribute to climate change.

A ‘green’ home is a home that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment.

Green buildings preserve precious natural resources and improve our quality of life.

It maximizes the use of efficient building materials and construction practies; optimizes the use of on-site sources and sinks by bio-climatic architectural practices; uses minimum energy to power itself; uses efficient equipment to meet its lighting, air conditioning, and other needs; maximizes the use of renewable sources of energy; uses efficient waste and water management practices; and provides comfortable and hygienic indoor working conditions

FEATURES OF A GREEN HOME AND SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

SUSTAINABLE SITE PLANNING

Site selection - site plan must be in conformity with the development plan/master plan/UDPFI guidelines (mandatory). This should comply with the provisions of eco-sensitive zone regulations, coastal zone regulations, heritage areas (identified in the master plan or issued separately as specific guidelines), water body zones (in such zones, no construction is permitted in the water-spread and buffer belt of 30 metre minimum around the FTL), various hazard prone area regulations, and others if the site falls under any such area

Preserve and protect landscape during construction - preserve topsoil and existing vegetation, staging and spill prevention, and erosion and sedimentation control. Replant on-site trees in the ratio of 3:1 to those removed during construction, for every removal one tree plant 3 saplings.

Soil conservation (till post-construction) - Proper topsoil laying, stabilization of the soil, and maintenance of adequate fertility of the soil to support vegetative growth.

Design to include existing site features - Minimize the disruption of the natural ecosystem and design to harness maximum benefits of the prevailing micro-climate.

Reduce hard paving on-site and/or provide shaded hard-paved surfaces - Minimize storm water run-off by reducing hard paving on-site.

Enhance outdoor lighting system efficiency and use renewable energy system for meeting outdoor lighting requirements - Meet minimum allowable luminous efficacy (as per lamp type) and make progressive use of a renewable-energy-based lighting system.

Reduce air pollution during construction - proper screening, covering stockpiles, covering brick and loads of dusty materials, wheelwashing facility, and water spraying facility.

Building planning and construction (To maximize resource (water, energy, and materials) conservation and enhance efficiency of the system and operations.)

Reduce landscape water requirement - Landscape using native species and reduce lawn areas while enhancing the irrigation efficiency and reducing the water requirement for landscaping purposes.

Reduce water use in the building - Reduce building water use by applying lowflow fixtures and other similar tools.

Efficient water use during construction - Use materials such as pre-mixed concrete for preventing loss during mixing. Use recycled treated water and control the waste of curing water.

Optimize building design to reduce conventional energy demand - Plan appropriately to reflect climate responsiveness, including adequate day-lighting as well as efficient artificial lighting.

Utilization of fly-ash in building structure - Use of fly-ash for RCC (reinforced cement concrete) structures with in-fill walls and load bearing structures, mortar, and binders.

Reduce volume, weight, and construction time by adopting efficient technologies (such as pre-cast systems) - Replace a part of the energy-intensive materials with less energy-intensive materials and/or utilize regionally available materials, which use low-energy/energy-efficient technologies.

Use low-energy material in interiors - Minimum 70% in each of the three categories of interiors (internal partitions, panelling/false ceiling/ interior wood finishes/in-built furniture door/window frames, flooring) from low-energy materials/ finishes to minimize the usage of wood.

Renewable energy utilization - Rated capacity of proposed renewable energy systems is equal to or more than 1% of internal lighting and space conditioning connected loads and meets energy requirements for a minimum of 5% of the internal lighting consumption (for general lighting or its equivalent from renewable energy sources[solar, wind, biomass, fuel cell and others]).

Renewable-energy-based hot water system - Meet 20% or more of the annual energy required for heating water through renewable energy based water-heating systems.

Water recycle and reuse (including rainwater) - Provide on-site waste water treatment for achieving prescribed concentration, rainwater harvesting, reuse of treated waste water and rainwater for meeting the building’s water and irrigation demands.

Reduction in waste during construction - To minimize waste generation; streamline waste segregation, storage, and disposal; and promote resource recovery from waste.

Efficient waste segregation - Use different coloured bins for collecting different categories of waste from the building.

Use low-VOC paints/adhesives/sealants - Use only low VOC paints in the interior of the building. Use water–based rather than solvent-based sealants and adhesives

Minimize ozone depleting substances - Employ 100% zero ODP (ozone depletion potential) insulation, HCFC (hydro-chloro-fluoro carbon)/ and CFC (chloro-fluoro carbon), free HVAC, and refrigeration equipment/and halon-free fire suppression and fire extinguishing systems.

Provide at least the minimum level of accessibility for persons with disabilities - To ensure accessibility and usability of the building and its facilities by employees, visitors, and clients with disabilities.

BENEFITS OF A GREEN HOME

Consume 40% to 60% (depending on the range of measures adopted) lesser electricity as compared to conventional buildings as they rely on passive architectural interventions in the building design, and high efficiency materials and technologies in the engineering design of the building

Attempt to work towards on-site energy generation through renewable energy utilization to cater to its energy needs with the help of solar thermal energy systems, Solar PV panels etc.

consume 40% to 80% (depending on the range of measures adopted) lesser water as compared to conventional buildings by using ultra low – flow fixtures, dual plumbing systems, waste-water recycling systems and rain-water harvesting.

Also employ waste to energy or waste to resource (like manure, or compost) strategies on site, to minimize their burden on municipal waste management facilities and landfills

Green buildings offer higher image and marketability.