Using energy efficient materials

Here is simple list of things to consider when you next decide to build your own home, office, industrial complex etc. Through some simple measures you can help reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, and your ecological footprint.

1. The term “embodied energy” in materials refers to the processes used to make, transport and eventually dispose of them. Select materials that minimise waste and the use of energy The materials used in the construction of a building can be a significant proportion of the total energy used during the building’s life. Selecting the right materials can greatly reduce your greenhouse gas emissions without adding any significant additional costs to constructing your building.
2. Using recycled materials is an excellent way of reducing the embodied energy in the construction and life of your building project; minimising site waste; using materials that won’t need to be constantly maintained once installed; considering where and how materials are manufactured – ie locally manufactured materials helps local and regional communities and reduces the cost in transportation and emissions produced to transport those materials.
3. Design your building to be healthy and environmentally sustainable by selecting architecture that maximises environmentally sustainable features and; fittings and fixtures that do no emit toxins and emissions during manufacture and then once installed or applied. For example some fibres in carpets could affect people with allergies and or toxins in glues, paints, fillers, etc may leach into the surrounding environment.
4. Get informed about products, materials and retail outlets as well as accredited builders, architects and engineers. You can visit the sites list in our blog roll (see our links on the right). You may also like to visit www.yourhome.gov.au or use the EcoSpecifier developed by RMIT University. Or if you want to get an even closer look you can join one of the tours of the eco-houses built by Victoria University (VU).
5. Poor maintenance can reduce the lifespan and effectiveness of some materials. It is worth considering materials that rely on less maintenance, and it is worth considering this in the design of the building. This can extend to the kinds of fabrics and materials used indoors for fittings and fixtures, including appliances.
6. Ensure that you use accredited builders, electricians and plumbers as well as suppliers of materials, appliances, fittings and fixtures. Again use the links on our site to help you do your home work before you go to work on your building project.

Energy efficient homes, offices, supermarkets, plants and retail outlets can make a huge difference on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted each year. And it is one of the most efficient and effective ways of making a big contribution to reducing our GHG emissions by 60% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.