Author S.K. Singh, Ex-Scientist, DRDO and CEO, Gramin Samrddhi Foundation (http:\graminsamridhi.in) & Braj Kishore Jha, Ex-Engineering Manager, MECON, Ranchi & A Sustainability Thinker
In today’s world, where environmental issues are a significant topic of discourse, the concept of a “green home” has grown in popularity. An environmentally friendly and sustainable home is called a “green home”, where less energy, water, and natural resources are used in its construction or modification. Green homes are designed in such a way that they are climate-conscious and highly energy-efficient. They include appliances like solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, good insulation, and upcycled materials, as well as other things that reduce energy usage and carbon emissions. Green homes also aim at having healthy and well-ventilated indoor rooms, water-saving methods as well as eco-friendly landscapes. In this concept of Green Home construction, the piece-meal approach is under focus to minimize the use of materials which is responsible for carbon emission.
In this article we spell out a concept of radically different approach not to use construction materials like iron/ steel, cement, plastic paint and any other material which is responsible of carbon emission from basic material manufacturing to final integration. Air, Water and electricity is the most common requirements for any house and so far, not much attention has been paid to use the natural resources for construction of home.
Building an environmentally friendly home requires prioritizing sustainable design concepts and optimal usages of resources provided by nature. Disruptive engineering interventions needed along with ancient wisdom to design green and sustainable home in true sense. Following concepts will make our home eco-friendly in true sense.
- No Electrical connection from State Electricity Board: The generation of electricity at power generation is related to carbon emission to the significant amount of global warming. Instead, all the home to be equipped with Solar panels for generation of electricity and solar concentrator for heat requirements. To supplement the electrical requirements, biogas to be used in large campus. All the need of electrical energy to be supplied by locally generated electricity in the home and the excess electricity generated to be transferred to the grid for usage by others.
2. Cement, Concrete, Iron bars and Plastic paint not to be used in the construction material: Now cement and concrete has become the primary requirement for construction. However recent study has revealed that these are responsible for global warming 8% of global CO2 emission. Instead, Bio polymers/ pastes derived from plants to be used instead of cement right from brick-to-brick connection and plaster. Agricultural waste available in abundance to be used to substitute of the materials used in buildings in combination with Biopolymer. This will ensure more heat insulation at the wall of the house and less electrical consumption for air-conditioning. Electrical appliance will be more energy efficient in this home. Treated Bamboo and wood logs to replace the iron bars as home construction material.
3. Non-conventional method of Air-conditioning: Cooling in the home to be provided by vapor absorption technology of chiller cooler instead of the widely prevalent Air conditioning equipment responsible for damage of ozone causing health disaster and warming.
4. No underground water to be pumped out for the general utility and drinking requirements: Instead, every home to have a rainwater harvesting arrangement and water used in Bathroom, kitchen and toilet to be retreated for usage for different applications and only 15% of the entire water requirement needed for drinking can be taken from underground for drinking purpose and this needs to be compensated by charging extra water to ground. As a matter a fact many places drinking water used in Singapore is treated water.
5. No cooking gas cylinders needed for kitchen: instead heat derived from solar concentrator will be used for kitchen. Biogas to supplement the requirement for large campus.
6. No usage of chemicals and soaps as hand sanitizer in home: Instead Bioenzym made out of kitchen from green waste to be used for such applications which will make sure we are away from chemicals and contributing our part to keep the environment clean.
7. No plastic-based material in Sofa and mattress: Instead, agricultural waste available in abundance to be retreated for house utility.
8. Chemical based Adhesive and binder to be abandoned: Instead Biopolymer based adhesive and binders to be used for the applications right from house construction of the house till making of utilities items needed for home.
9. Every home to have one room cold storage: This will be made available through non-conventional technology developed indigenously.
10. Zero discharge from Home: Nothing will be discharged out of home and waste to be treated and retreated for usage.
All these Points are associated with Disruptive Engineering interventions where all the branches of engineering need to develop technologies for a cost effective, smart energy and eco-friendly homes. Gramin Samridhi Foundation along with applied Scientists of various institutes and other stakeholders is working with appropriate R&D arrangements to make these products available in due course in partnership with industries in the larger interest for a smart eco-friendly home. Finally, Power of Imagination is more important than knowledge !
