subject: HOW TO CHOOSE HOME APLLICATIONS WITH GREEN CHOICE [print this page] HOW TO CHOOSE HOME APLLICATIONS WITH GREEN CHOICE
Choosing house application is a big undertaking involving big decisions and when it comes to the environment, big consequences. For those about to buy new house applications, the options for creating a more sustainable home are plentiful, allowing you reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, environmental impact and the cost of running your household.
Material
Timber
Plantation timber is a popular building choice for good reasons- it's a renewable source. Timber is a good thing to use as wood products typically require less energy to produce and the forests naturally absorb and store carbon. In Australia many families like to use renewable plantation timer as furniture or house applications such as wall shelf, closet, and wooden clothes hangers. When choosing timber application, house holders should choose recycled or plantation timber. Such as wooden wardrobe and wood hangers are more environmental friendly than plastic ones.
Timber products
Australian wood panels like MDF are inexpensive and versatile and according to the Australian wood panels association, are made from materials that would otherwise be wasted products from plantation pine forest operations.
Consider
You might raise your eyebrows at the use of the toxic chemical formaldehyde in MDF production, but the AWPA argues that all Australian wood panel manufacturers meet the low European standards. (EI on the emissions scale). Formaldehyde is a naturally- occurring material that's present in all living matter- and it breaks down quickly in the atmosphere, if you want lower than low, there is another option available: E0 particleboard. "All natural timber emits small quantities of formaldehyde and E0 is getting down to the emission range of natural timber.
Glass
Glass is a recycle material with myriad eco options. Performing glazing like low-E double glazing can prevent up to 70 per cent heat loss through windows, compare to conventional 3mm single glazing, also heating and cooling cost can each be reduced by approximately 40 per cent simple by making the switch to standard insulated glazing products.
Consider:
Glass does not use as much energy in the manufacturing process as many metal materials, but it does come at some environmental cost. Many families are now using natural lights on the ceiling as glass filters sunlight through the skylight and the louver windows.
Stone
House holder can use more stone instead of plastic or metal. Masonry, such as slate and stone, is a durable and versatile building material with great thermal mass properties. Building you bathroom with stone for it add aesthetic appeal and delivers high thermal mass properties, making it a knock-out combination of beauty and brains.
Concrete:
Concrete is durable, recyclable and require little energy or resources to be repaired or replaced in the long term. It also has a high thermal mass and works best when used with good passive design. But a lot of energy is required to manufacture concrete and it's not necessarily offset by its thermal mass advantages.
