How to build with sustainability and energy efficiency criteria
superadmin
July 25, 2017
The term sustainable construction encompasses not only the buildings themselves, but also the way to treat the environment and integrate urban development into the natural surroundings. The principles for building with sustainability criteria require the conservation and reuse of natural resources. Adequate life cycle management is also necessary, as well as a reduction in energy and water consumption applied to the construction of the building and its subsequent use. They can be summarized in the following points:
- Conservation of natural resources such as water and energy.
- Recycling and recovering materials used in construction.
- Analysis of the life cycle management of the raw materials used, aiming to reduce waste generation and GHG emissions.
- Rational use of energy.
- Rational use of water.
- Increase the quality of life and health of the user.
- General protection of the environmental surroundings in which the building is located.
- Minimizing waste generation during construction.
Building in a sustainable way
All these principles can also be applied to the construction of a housing. To do this, it is important to choose the correct location and conduct a geobiological study of the land before starting construction. The use of abundant vegetation, both outside and inside the home, helps reduce the effects of air pollution and noise while contributing to hygrothermal comfort inside the home. It is also essential to choose a proper solar orientation that ensures thermal comfort without additional energy costs.The materials used in construction should be as natural as possible, avoiding the use of toxic or radioactive materials. In this sense, ceramic bricks, stone, wood, plant fibers, earth adobe, and mortars with abundant lime are preferable to reinforced concrete, aluminum, PVC, or excessive cement and chemical-synthetic additives in constructions. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the paints are as natural as possible, or at least non-toxic. The paints that guarantee better health conditions are silicate paints, as they are completely mineral, fire and pollution resistant, washable, non-toxic, and highly durable while allowing adequate transpiration of the walls. For furniture and interior decoration, wood and natural fibers are preferred. Furniture and coverings made with chipboard containing formaldehydes and toxic glues should be avoided, as well as wood protection treatments that contain lindane or pentachlorophenols.
The correct ventilation of a home helps avoid issues with the accumulation of toxic or radioactive elements such as radon gas. In this regard, mechanical dual-flow ventilation systems are particularly suitable as they ensure thermal comfort inside in both summer and winter. The heat exchanger allows ventilation to occur without sudden temperature changes, which would require an increase in energy consumption.
Siber Ventilation
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