| The term green home is being used more and more | | | | is also possible to use a range of other natural |
| often in the residential building industry, but what | | | | products in the construction of a green home, such |
| does it really mean. According to the Green Building | | | | as straw, mud, hemp and dirt. Although some of |
| Council of Australia a green house is "a high | | | | these materials are not conventional building products, |
| performing home that is energy and water efficient, | | | | it does not mean a green home has to look very |
| has good indoor air quality, uses environmentally | | | | different from a regular home. Many of the materials |
| sustainable materials and also uses the building site in | | | | and finishes in a regular home contain formaldehyde |
| a sustainable manner". A green home also requires a | | | | and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Once installed in |
| holistic approach, beginning at the design stage and | | | | a home they continue to release gases which can be |
| continuing on through the construction process and | | | | harmful to the people living in them. A green home |
| the eventual day-to-day running of the home. The | | | | uses materials and finishes with low or no VOCs that |
| main goal of these characteristics is to reduce the | | | | ensure good indoor air quality. |
| environmental impact a home will have over the | | | | A green home also minimises the use of energy and |
| course of its lifetime. | | | | water by using efficient materials and products. |
| As mentioned above, a green house should begin at | | | | Water saving devices in the bathroom, toilet and |
| the design stage. Incorporating green design elements | | | | laundry significantly reduces water consumption. |
| at the initial stages of a home construction will ensure | | | | Collection of rainwater and the recycling of grey |
| the home can take advantage of the surrounding | | | | water can further improve water efficiencies. |
| natural environment. By utilising the topography of | | | | Insulation in walls and ceilings helps maintain a |
| the site, sunlight and breezes a green home can | | | | constant indoor temperature reducing the need for |
| significantly reduce its dependence on additional | | | | mechanical heating and cooling. Energy and water |
| heating and cooling sources. This saves the occupants | | | | efficient appliances can also be found in this home. |
| money on their energy bills and reduces the | | | | They reduce environmental impacts and keep running |
| production of greenhouse gases. | | | | costs down for the occupants. |
| Choosing recycled and environmentally friendly building | | | | Consideration of these factors and the inclusion of |
| products is another important element of a green | | | | sustainable building techniques and materials make a |
| home. The type of materials used can affect the | | | | green home use energy and water efficiently, |
| homes' environmental impact and the health of the | | | | provide a healthy environment for the occupants and |
| homes' eventual residents. A green home utilises | | | | reduce the environmental impacts over the lifetime |
| recycled timber or sustainable harvested plantation | | | | of the dwelling. |
| lumber for its structural and cosmetic components. It | | | | |