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| Go Green | Design and Construction |
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Conservation of energy doesn't only relate to saving energy in your own environment but also to saving energy in other environments by reducing your consumption of products which have embodied energy. Embodied energy is the energy required to make a product. So using clay bricks for example in the building of a house would see energy consumed in the quarrying of clay and other materials, energy in the actual manufacture of the clay brick, firing in the kilns etc, and then energy used in the transport of the bricks to the building site. Management of all the resources in the built environment minimises the effect on the natural environment. Sustainable design and construction are vital in building or renovating your home in an environmentally friendly manner. Consideration of a few principles will allow you to conserve energy, reduce waste and water consumption and make a solid contribution to the future of the planet. If you consider these small changes before you start renovating and make them part of the renovation, they will cost less to implement and you will reap the benefit for years to come. Avoid using building materials with chemical emissions such as formaldehyde, solvents, and volatile organic compounds (VOC's). These compounds can be found in particle board, paints, vinyl floor and wall coverings, certain types of carpet, and even insulation. Building material chemical emissions contribute to causing Sick Building Syndrome and can make you ill. Do use building materials with minimal chemical emissions such as ceramic tile, linoleum, formaldehyde-free particle boards, low-VOC paints and sealers, low-VOC adhesives, and non-toxic cleaners. Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and available test data from manufacturers of all building related materials to verify what each product contains prior to using it. Use products with recycled content. Incorporate building products with recycled content into your next building remodel. Less energy and resources are expended in manufacturing products with recycled content thus helping the natural environment. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Try to reuse and refurbish existing building components before you replace them with new materials. Keep in mind that most construction debris is recyclable. Avoid landfill tipping fees by contacting the local municipality for a list of demolition waste recycling companies. More about building materials here. See our checklist for some items to consider when planning your renovation. The choice of building materials requires careful thought and planning at the design stage. Some criteria to consider include:
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