An Energy-efficient House is a Greenhouse

Blogger's Note: A pleasant introduction to a Green House. Read on.

A green house is a healthy home
First posted 11:09pm (Mla time) June 03, 2005 By Amado de Jesus, Inquirer News Service
http://news.inq7.net/lifestyle/index.php?index=1&story_id=39102

A COMMON misconception regarding green architecture is that it is expensive to apply its concepts on small-scale projects and even just houses. People think that it is only practical for the developed countries and they cite that highly sophisticated "green" homes will not be within reach of the Third World's limited means.

Nothing could be farther from the truth! Practicality has always been a guiding principle behind "green" architectural practices. It is only a matter of finding the most practical techniques that will make a certain project "green."

In addition, green architecture is an effective answer to many of the environmental problems that plague communities all over the globe.

For example, not too many people are aware of the health benefits of a green home.

Healthy home
The first basic feature of a green home is that it is a healthy home. By this, we mean that occupants do not get sick by staying indoors. In many cases, the air indoors is more polluted than outside air.

A green home has good indoor quality. It has very good ventilation flushing out stagnant air and pollutants that might harm its occupants. In short, it is bright, airy and cheerful.
Indoor air quality is particularly acute in bathrooms and kitchens with very poor ventilation due to excess moisture in the air. This in turn condenses on cold surfaces where mold is formed. Molds cause various respiratory illnesses.

One way to improve conditions is by installing large window openings or installing exhaust fans. Another way is to put ceramic wall tiles only in wet areas such as shower stalls and around the lavatories. A common practice is to put wall tiles from floor to ceiling. This has the same effect as a hermetically sealed bottle that can cause molds and a "stuffy" feeling due to lack of ventilation. By leaving many walls without tiles we allow the walls to "breathe" making occupants more comfortable.

Electromagnetic field
A green house is kept as far away as possible from high-voltage power lines to avoid exposure to electromagnetic fields. This is done to protect its occupants. Studies have shown that people who live near these power lines, especially children, are more likely to contract leukemia.

A green home is designed to eliminate exposure to EMF indoors. EMF indoors is caused by many electrical appliances and devices that are used inside the home. Whether in the living room, the den or the bedroom, electromagnetic fields radiate and cause people to get sick without their knowing it. Electrical devices that are known to produce high electromagnetic fields are computers, microwave ovens and hairdryers.

The bedroom is one area where people are most likely to be exposed to EMF as these devices are located around the beds and extended periods of time are spent close to them. For example, using an electric thermal blanket means exposure to a very heavy dose of EMF.

An effective way to reduce or remove this threat in bedrooms is by positioning the electrical devices as far away as possible from the sleeping areas, especially around the headboard.

Another way is by installing a separate electrical line that can be switched off when we sleep and allowing only a few night lamps around the room. A very effective way to reduce exposure to EMF is by creating a wire-free area around the bed.

Natural materials
A green home is constructed of natural materials. This means, materials that do not emit toxic fumes that may harm the occupants. Time was when people had to content themselves with noxious fumes from strong paints and varnish. Today, more and more water-based, odorless paints are being used and this may be the type that will be commonly used in the future.

Strong toxic wood preservatives that contain harmful chemicals are not found in a green home. Besides being a health risk, these types of materials threaten the environment when they are disposed in landfills because they leach and this eventually finds its way into the aquifer, or underground reservoir.

Daylighting
Daylighting also helps protect the health and well-being of its occupants. Daylighting provides superior quality of light. Without sufficient natural light, people become subject to depression, gloom and sleep loss. The most effective cure is naturally exposure to more light. It is said that the room the sun does not enter, the doctor does.

Noise pollution
Noise pollution is a big source of stress in today's modern world. This is why many big cities install sound barriers to shield houses near the highways from noise.
A green home can use living screens like shrubs, earth mounds and trees.

Good design
Finally, the idea of a well-conceived green house design cannot be overemphasized. This can include flexibility, clarity in organization of the rooms, scale, proportion and openings that reveal landscaped areas.

A return to traditional craftsmanship can also contribute to the overall quality of a green house, rather than the mass-produced but poorly built houses that have sprouted in recent times.

(The author is vice chair of the board of judges of the Asean Energy Awards and is a practicing green architect. For comments or inquiries, e-mail Email amadojejesus@gmail.com.)

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