04 385-7545
eco@eco.org.nz
  • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • Our Team
  • Environmental action
    • Key Issues
      • Antarctic protection
      • Aquaculture
      • Biodiversity
      • Climate Energy
      • Catchment and Coastal
      • Forests
      • Lakes, Rivers and Wetlands
      • Mining
      • Oceans and Fisheries
      • Organics and GE
      • Waste
      • Energy
      • Resource Management
    • Current Petitions
    • Join a Working Group
      • Improved environmental management and laws
      • Conservation, biosecurity and biodiversity
      • Oceans, marine and fisheries
      • International, IUCN, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean
      • Climate Change and Energy
      • Open Democratic and Participative Society
      • Policy and promotion of our vision for the environment
  • Connect with ECO
    • Join ECO
    • Volunteering & Oppurtunities
  • Contact
Donate
Click Me
Some text

This content will appear inside a popup...

Design Tips for an Eco-Friendly and Low – Carbon Home

Posted on 26/04/2018
No Comments

Uma Campbell considers why we should build more eco-friendly homes and offers some tips on how to go about it.

 

Everyone dreams of owning their own home. They, of course, have a list of things that they want. However, in this day and age of environmentalism, many of us are also thinking environmentally. Whether it’s saving water, lowering our carbon footprint, becoming more eco-friendly, or other aspects, we are researching more about helping the planet in our own way. The following information will show you how you can take steps to become environmentally-friendly within your own home.

 

Buildings

 

It’s no secret that discussions of global warming have increased. However, according to the New Zealand Herald, many of our greenhouse emissions come from buildings we live, and work, in. While we know that vehicle exhausts can negatively affect our environment, several people don’t realize the effect that rows of houses can have on carbon emissions.

Indeed, buildings use about one-third of the city’s energy, and they also emit as many greenhouse gases. At present demand, some estimate Auckland’s carbon emissions to increase by as much as 46 percent by the year 2025.

Increase Efficiency And Earn More Money

However, greenhouse proponents suggests that making new and existing buildings (e.g., residential and commercial) more energy efficient will help. However, we must convince developers and home builders that green is the new normal while still staying within the budget. The trick is to realize that – although the transition may be costly at first – the money you save in the long run will be even more.

Eco-Friendly House

 But, as Stuff tells us, it can be done.  Take, for example, Philip Ivanier. He was able to build his own eco-friendly house. The Glendowie property is New Zealand’s first passive house.

But, what, exactly, is a passive house? It is one that requires very little heating or cooling, and has great insulation, which moderates the temperature during the entire year. In addition, the energy use, and carbon footprint is very low.

Mr. Ivanier is from Canada. Since passive homes are not common in New Zealand, he had to get the building materials imported – something for which the Auckland Council never considered the consents. But, the materials included roof solar panels, and there is no mould or mildew. The best part is that he’ll be able to put some power back into the grid.

 

Challenges

 As you’ve seen from Mr. Ivanier’s case, there are challenges that may need to be overcome. In fact, according to Sustainable Homes, the insulation in several of New Zealand’s buildings is quite poor. Additionally, while the energy in many homes comes from renewable energy, certain other materials, ecology, and water efficiency are not very sustainable.

In fact, only one-third of New Zealand’s homes were built after 1978, which is when mandatory insulation was enacted. So, it stands to reason that older housing may not be properly insulated. It should also be noted that only 56 homes had been accredited against the standard for other environmental issues such as water efficiency or waste. Due to recent issues such as the global financial crisis and the 2011 earthquake, it stands to reason why it has taken such a long time to fix the problems.  However, there is a solution.

Building Guide

 Despite the fact that New Zealand is not known for having eco-friendly, low-carbon, housing, you can still live sustainably. According to Building guide, there are several things you need to do. First, and foremost, consider the climate, and vegetation around you. You should use your available natural resources to the best of your ability. Using the sun for heat, and trees to cool off will reduce your need for energy usage within the home. You should also consider water-efficient, and energy-efficient, appliances.

If you’re going to use building materials, make sure they are environmentally friendly such as bamboo, reclaimed timber, and recycled metals. Doing so will allow you to recycle them as necessary.

In this modern age of being eco-friendly, and reducing your carbon footprint, necessary steps need to be taken in order to create a sustainable home. The information within this guide should help you understand its importance, and the steps you need to take in order to move forward. However, after a little time, and effort, you’ll see that the money you put into the transition will pay for itself, and eventually save you money, and reduce our impact on the Earth – our life support system.

 

 

 

 

Previous Post
Ross Sea: Antarctic Marine Protection Comes into force on 1 December 2017
Next Post
Mining Still threatens the Coromandel: How did this happen?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.
You need to agree with the terms to proceed

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • Emerging from the Shadows: Resource Management System Reform 08/03/2022
  • ECO calls for more funding on climate action and biodiversity protection 08/03/2022
  • Importance of protecting Significant Natural Areas 05/08/2021
  • ECO calls for an end to bottom trawling on seamounts and other underwater ecosystems. 08/06/2021
  • Consultation on phasing out fossil fuels in process heat 21/04/2021

Categories

  • Agriculture and farming (2)
  • Antarctica (2)
  • Biodiversity (14)
  • Building (1)
  • Climate Change (19)
  • Conservation (14)
  • COVID (1)
  • ECO (7)
  • Fisheries (10)
  • Forestry (1)
  • Freshwater (7)
  • Genetic Engineering (2)
  • Health (3)
  • Marine (10)
  • Oceania (8)
  • Organics (1)
  • Pollution (7)
  • Resource Management Act (1)
  • Science (11)
  • Uncategorized (10)

ECO is a registered charitable entity under the Charities Act 2005. ECO was founded in 1971 as CoEnCo to meet the needs of the conservation community. We became ECO in 1976. We are a non-profit network of 50+ organizations with a concern for conservation and the environment.

Important Links

  • What We Do
  • Our Team
  • Join A Working Group
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Donate Now

Contacts

eco@eco.org.nz
04 385-7545
Level 2, 126 Vivian St, Wellington 6011, PO Box 11-057 Wellington New Zealand 6142
Facebook
Twitter

Recent Posts

  • Emerging from the Shadows: Resource Management System Reform 08/03/2022
  • ECO calls for more funding on climate action and biodiversity protection 08/03/2022
  • Importance of protecting Significant Natural Areas 05/08/2021
  • ECO calls for an end to bottom trawling on seamounts and other underwater ecosystems. 08/06/2021
  • Consultation on phasing out fossil fuels in process heat 21/04/2021

© Copyright 2008-2021 – Environment and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand (ECO) Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Site designed & hosted by Alpharditech

Sitemap | Disclaimer