We at Diligent Developments have decided to take on the 2012 Olympic spirit by dedicating a section of our business to assisting customers with achieving increased methods of Green building (also known as sustainable building).   

 

What is Green building?  Green building is going above and beyond local building codes to make homes more energy efficient while improving indoor air quality and reducing environmental impact. 

 

Green building is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.

 

Although new technologies are constantly being developed to complement current practices in creating greener structures, the common objective is that green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:

 

•                Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources

•                Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity

•                Reducing waste and pollution

 

Sustainable Design Principles

While the practical application varies among disciplines, some common principles are as follows:

 

Materials

The choice of materials used in the construction of buildings has a profound effect on the environmental impact of a building. They affect not only its environmental performance (i.e. its energy use and subsequent production of carbon emissions) but also the environmental impact of the production of these materials (the embodied energy). Embodied Energy is the amount of energy used to manufacture and supply the product to the point of use. Using materials with low embodied energy can significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with that building.

The most environmentally friendly use of materials is that which follows the material use hierarchy illustrated below:

Reclaiming materials, either from on site if it is a redevelopment, or from nearby construction sites, is an extremely effective way of reducing the negative environmental impacts of construction.

 

Recycling: there are many materials that can be recycled for use in the construction sector. These include aggregates, wood, plasterboard and tyres.

 

There are a range of Sustainable Materials that can be used instead of traditional ones. These range form sheep’s wool insulation to natural lime render.

 

Certified Timber: Using only certified timber is an important way of making sure that the world’s forests are managed in a sustainable way.

 

Insulation

Making sure your building is well insulated is probably the most cost effective way of reducing energy demand. The need for heating can sometimes be eliminated for buildings which are, when combined with the other factors listed here. There are several types of insulation which can be used in cavity walls and lofts. Fibrous insulations include Fiber glass insulation, cotton insulation, mineral wool insulation and plastic fiber insulation. Insulating foams include urethane foam, polyurethane foams, nitrogen-based plastic foam and cementitious insulation.  The U-values of the walls will be determined by the thickness and type of insulation used.

 

Waste

Taking action on waste is essential, since we are consuming natural resources at an unsustainable rate and contributing unnecessarily to climate change. Each year we generate about 100 million tonnes of waste from households, commerce and industry combined. Most of this currently ends up in landfill, where biodegradable waste generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Furthermore, valuable energy is used up in making new products which are later disposed of thereby also contributing to climate change.

 

Water

In 2003/2004, each person in the UK consumed an average of 155 litres of water per day. There are two key reasons why this has to be reduced in the coming decades. Firstly, the existing water resource will become increasingly scarce due to depleted groundwater resources coupled with population growth. Secondly, as changes in the climate progress, it is highly likely that summer rainfall levels will decline and temperatures will rise, causing a reduction in supply during the periods of highest demand.

As a result, it is vital that developers, planners, architects, and all those working in the built environment, address this issue as being integral to new and existing developments.

There are a number of tools that can be used to ensure a good water management strategy, i.e. one that reduces both the use of water in buildings and homes.

 

Passive Solar Design

Building truly sustainably is not about adding on a few extra features onto a standard house. It is about incorporating is as an integral part of the design.

Passive solar design uses the structural elements of a building for heating and ventilation, which requires careful consideration of the local climate and solar energy resource, building orientation and landscape features.

 

Technology Description

A passive system optimises the use of locally available energy sources. In architectural terms, this generally refers to the heating, lighting and cooling of an enclosed space.

There are six major principles of passive design:

 

1.   Orientation: alignment of a building to allow maximum sunshine for warmth and lighting. The use of the rooms should be considered so that frequently occupied rooms are positioned to the south side of the building to take advantage of natural heating and lighting.

2.   Glazing: correct sizing and positioning of windows to maximise heat gain and natural lighting when required, with shading provision to prevent over heating.

3.   Thermal mass: heat is absorbed by a heat retaining material and is released over time into the building thereby reducing internal temperature fluctuations.

4.   Insulation: minimising heat losses from the roof, doors, windows and floors.

5.   Ventilation: fresh air supply. It could be drawn through underground ducts, which would heat the air in winter and cool it in summer.

6.   Zoning: The use of the rooms should be considered so that frequently occupied rooms are positioned to the south side of the building to take advantage of natural heating and lighting.

 

Benefits

Incorporating elements of passive solar design can have many benefits. The comfort of the occupant is increased, with more stable temperatures and a regular flow of clean air. Building running costs can be reduced if the reliance of mechanical or electrical heating, cooing and lighting can be reduced. Research shows that working in a well-lit, well-ventilated area can enhance productivity.

 

Cost and payoff

The most criticised issue about constructing environmentally friendly buildings is the price. Photo-voltaics, new appliances, and modern technologies tend to cost more money. Most green buildings cost a premium of <2%, but yield 10 times as much over the entire life of the building. The stigma is between the knowledge of up-front cost vs. life-cycle cost. The savings in money come from more efficient use of utilities, which result in decreased energy bills.

 

Summary

Our team will be delighted to assist you with the design and implementation of a Green building.  Weather it be a home extension, loft conversion or commercial space. We have the expertise and commitment to helping you, help us, improve our environment for future generations.

Give us a call today on 0845 052 3769 or use the contact us facility free of charge