| We all need to take steps to save our environment, | | | | Wind power is also becoming a common feature of |
| as most experts agree we are potentially staring | | | | environmentally friendly buildings. Turbines can be |
| ecological disaster in the face. Any improvements we | | | | fitted to the roof or onto a mast, and can run |
| can make, whether in the home, on the road or at | | | | devices cheaply and easily. The energy can be stored |
| work, should be taken seriously. Fortunately, | | | | in batteries, too, which can then be used later when |
| governments, pressure groups and corporations have | | | | it's not as windy. It's an exceptionally green way to |
| all woken up to the need for greener attitudes | | | | generate electricity, and if there's a surplus, it can be |
| towards sustainability and efficiency. | | | | sold back to the national grid. |
| A new concept that is helping to reverse the | | | | Other features of green buildings will ensure greater |
| damage that's been done, and provide excellent | | | | water efficiency. Low-flush toilets, for example, save |
| opportunities to enhance more suitable sources of | | | | significant amounts, as do reduced-flow shower |
| energy, is green building. It involves the construction | | | | heads. Many advancements recycle water throughout |
| of homes, public offices and business that feature | | | | the heating and lavatory systems, and reservoirs and |
| environmentally friendly processes throughout. | | | | guttering help to collect rain during downpours. The |
| Examples are appearing in towns and cities around | | | | installation of a bidet also saves on toilet paper. |
| the world, with many more to follow in the coming | | | | The provision of compost bins helps to reduce spent |
| years. | | | | food, by breaking it down naturally and organically. |
| In order to cut down on energy usage, green | | | | They're perfect for aerobic decomposition, while at |
| buildings usually feature high-efficiency windows, | | | | the same keeping the garden tidier than an |
| which will retain the heat, as well as insulation in the | | | | old-fashioned heap. Most kitchen waste is |
| ceilings, floors and walls. Even the placement of | | | | biodegradable, and the remains provide nutrients for |
| windows may be oriented towards garnering more | | | | plant growth. |
| daylight, thereby helping to minimise the use of | | | | Even the resources used are environmentally |
| electric lighting, as the evenings start to draw in. | | | | efficient. Lumber grown in sustainable forests, |
| The use of solar panels will harness energy from the | | | | recycled stone and metal, and locally extracted |
| sun, even on a cloudy day, ensuring substantially | | | | materials are all commonly found in the modern-day |
| lower use of fossil fuels. They will generate enough | | | | green building. There are several specialist companies |
| electricity to run appliances throughout the home, | | | | that are on hand to advise on all aspects of the |
| including the water-heating system. Of course, a | | | | eco-friendly phenomenon - so establishing a better |
| building that produces its own power will not only be | | | | future is only a phone call away. |
| greener, it will also be substantially cheaper to run. | | | | |