Eco-construction

jane martin · 03-05-20, 11:47 PM

How do to build eco friendly buildings?

AnAppleSnail · 03-12-20, 08:40 AM

Use building science principles. Control water entry, air entry, moisture flow, heat flow. This preserves the building and comfort, reduces energy use, and creates the possibility of a good place to be.

Build well - A building that lasts twice as long costs half as much energy and materials to create.

Build thoughtfully - If a building could last but is not desired, it will fail to stay around. If a building is not designed well, the heat pumps must run to manage solar heat gain; or the windows must open to air out preservatives; or the inside of the home or business is not nice.

skyking · 03-14-20, 10:45 AM

Some specifics:
We all like natural light in the winter but not the summer sun's heat. Build with plenty of south facing windows, but put them behind a porch or really deep overhang.
That way the low sun angles of winter will shine in, but the brutal high angle summer sun is blocked.
Keep north facing windows small and for specific views.
Look at east and west windows with regard to trees, if you have any. The tree shadow can help with the heat. Around here the afternoon sun does the most damage, so the west window placement is important.
Basements are the least expensive and most efficient square footage. They maximize the earth's moderating influences, and increase the density of your home. I call it that because of the surface area affected by weather in ratio to square footage is lowest. Below the frost line the earth is very close to the average temperature for your area. This acts to moderate highs and lows.
Often you can retreat to basement spaces in the summer and avoid or minimize cooling costs.

Marththias · 10-26-20, 12:44 AM

When building a new house, you want to make sure your home will help you save money in the future as well as preserve the environment you should also think about where your building materials are coming from. Consider looking for materials made from recycled products or repurposing used materials. Smaller buildings are generally more environmentally friendly and cheaper. Intelligent design means making the best use of space possible.

WillyP · 11-23-20, 04:32 PM

The term eco friendly building can apply to a number of factors. Usually it refers to buildings that do as little damage to the environment as possible. Several factors go into this. Using a quality insulation system, to reduce energy use. Having alternative power sources, like solar or wind.
As far as how to actually build one. Assuming you are not going to build it yourself, you need to hire a contractor that will follow eco building principles. It helps to learn as much as possible before you hire a contractor so you know if they are going to do a good job, or if they are just spewing BS to get work.

03-05-20, 11:47 PM	#1
jane martin Lurking Renovator Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Chennai Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Eco-construction How do to build eco friendly buildings?

03-12-20, 08:40 AM	#2
AnAppleSnail Lurking Renovator Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Eco Building Use building science principles. Control water entry, air entry, moisture flow, heat flow. This preserves the building and comfort, reduces energy use, and creates the possibility of a good place to be. Build well - A building that lasts twice as long costs half as much energy and materials to create. Build thoughtfully - If a building could last but is not desired, it will fail to stay around. If a building is not designed well, the heat pumps must run to manage solar heat gain; or the windows must open to air out preservatives; or the inside of the home or business is not nice.

03-14-20, 10:45 AM	#3
skyking Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: May 2011 Location: Western Washington Posts: 91 Thanks: 47 Thanked 20 Times in 13 Posts	Some specifics: We all like natural light in the winter but not the summer sun's heat. Build with plenty of south facing windows, but put them behind a porch or really deep overhang. That way the low sun angles of winter will shine in, but the brutal high angle summer sun is blocked. Keep north facing windows small and for specific views. Look at east and west windows with regard to trees, if you have any. The tree shadow can help with the heat. Around here the afternoon sun does the most damage, so the west window placement is important. Basements are the least expensive and most efficient square footage. They maximize the earth's moderating influences, and increase the density of your home. I call it that because of the surface area affected by weather in ratio to square footage is lowest. Below the frost line the earth is very close to the average temperature for your area. This acts to moderate highs and lows. Often you can retreat to basement spaces in the summer and avoid or minimize cooling costs.

10-26-20, 12:44 AM	#4
Marththias Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Vancouver, WA, USA Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	When building a new house, you want to make sure your home will help you save money in the future as well as preserve the environment you should also think about where your building materials are coming from. Consider looking for materials made from recycled products or repurposing used materials. Smaller buildings are generally more environmentally friendly and cheaper. Intelligent design means making the best use of space possible.

11-23-20, 04:32 PM	#5
WillyP Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Virginia Posts: 30 Thanks: 8 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	The term eco friendly building can apply to a number of factors. Usually it refers to buildings that do as little damage to the environment as possible. Several factors go into this. Using a quality insulation system, to reduce energy use. Having alternative power sources, like solar or wind. As far as how to actually build one. Assuming you are not going to build it yourself, you need to hire a contractor that will follow eco building principles. It helps to learn as much as possible before you hire a contractor so you know if they are going to do a good job, or if they are just spewing BS to get work.