With energy costs skyrocketing and climate change knocking the door, it is only prudent we start talking about green & sustainable housing.
Text: Madhulika Ra Chauhan Photos: Various Sources
Green Housing is not just another trend in next-gen housing solutions, but rather a step towards a sustainable future. Green Affordable Housing is not about the economy, the environment, or health – it is the culmination of all three. The construction and operation of buildings account for 37 percent of all energy use and 68 percent of all electricity demand, thus responsible for an estimated 30–40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. John Straube in his book “Green Building and Sustainability” defines sustainable housing as “one that uses energy and material more effectively both in production and operation while polluting and damaging natural systems as little as possible.” Achieving affordability by minimising capital investment, however, has often proved to be a short-term solution that sacrifices long-term building functionality. When cheaper, lowerquality systems fail over time, building operating costs increase sharply and negatively impact both building owners and residents.
Measurable Benefits from Sustainable Housing
Homeowners who have started to invest in solar arrays can benefit from lower hydro bills, smaller carbon footprint and higher home value in the future. These advantages now come at a high initial investment whose potential gains should be carefully calculated. Depending on the extent of sustainability design, the cost of a green building often denote an initial capital cost investment termed “the green premium” which is higher as compared to the cost of conventional buildings. Newer technology and the requirement of special labour skills drive the cost in green building projects. However, careful planning and measured choices can minimise these upfront costs. Overall, the average green premium for affordable housing developments has been found to be 2.4 percent above conventional development costs, although several such projects were found to have lower upfront capital costs than conventional designs.
On an average, green buildings have 20–50 percent lower energy bills and significantly lower water expenses. Strategies to achieve these long-term savings are typically identified during the integrated design process, which is central to green building. Unlike a conventional design process, where architects, engineers, designers, builders, and owners fulfil their roles in isolation, integrated design emphasises a team approach from the outset that involves joint performance goal setting, collaboration, and creative “outside the box” solutions. It is expected that the costs of building green will decrease over time, thanks to experience and the development of products and services.
PanaHome, The Green-Housing Champion
Marshalling the exceptional design capability honed over a period of 50 years in the housing industry, PanaHome is the next generation home for “Eco and Smart” lifestyles, enabling people to live comfortably while preserving the environment. The Z-Gen houses from Panasonic Group can leverage the smart technology and solution to not only individual homes but also to entire townships. To improve energy selfsufficiency and further reduce CO2 emissions, PanaHome provides smart houses by incorporating energy creation, saving, and storage systems, as well as The Panasonic Group’s Home Energy Management System (HEMS) technology. PanaHomes has been helping Japan to reach their national target for implementing the zero-energy house (ZEH) as the standard for the construction of new homes by 2020.
PanaHome is able to offer smart and healthy home lifestyles by utilising advanced technologies such as new ventilation systems for better indoor air quality. Building on Panasonic’s advanced environmental initiatives the company also promotes the construction of net zero energy developments that achieve energy independence for the entire community.
Green Home and Sustainability
The United Nations Brundtland Commission Report says that “sustainable development is the development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Green building benefits are not only restricted to include environmental and economic benefits but also for social benefits. Governments, energyproviders, property owners, and taxpayers – all experience directindirect financial, social welfare and livelihood co-benefits from green affordable housing projects. Direct financial benefits are in the form of reduced energy bills, reduced outlays for assistance to low-income households. Thus green housing is no longer a luxury but a step towards a sustainable future.
Government of India and its Commitment for Green Energy
World Bank has signed an agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), consisting of 121 countries led by India, to collaborate on increasing solar energy usage, with the goal of mobilising $1 trillion in investments by 2030. The Government of India and the World Bank signed an agreement for the $625 million Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme. The project will finance the installation of a minimumof 400 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations that will provide clean, renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing thermal generation. Su-Kam is one of the leading solar solutions providers in India that offers grid solutions for small homes and big projects. With corporates like Tata Power Solar Systems and Vikram Solar joining the fray, the cost of initial investment to build a low-cost sustainable solution could soon be a reality.