TURN YOUR HOUSE INTO A GREEN HOME

They cost more, require sacrifices and are not always convenient, yet eco-friendly houses can help you save in the long run.

 Given the rise in the cost of living, any suggestion to go for a more expensive option may not go down well with customers. What if we tell you that the costlier option is actually more cost-effective in the long run? It will not only help you save money over time, but also help save the Earth. 

    Consider a simple step like using a heat reflective paint for the exterior of your house. Manufacturers claim that the special paint reflects heat, keeping the interiors cooler by up to 5 degree Celsius. So while your neighbour's power bill will shoot up as the mercury soars, your air conditioner will not have to struggle to keep the house comfortably cool. 

    Admittedly, eco-friendly housing is costlier than a normal structure because it uses specialised material and more sophisticated technology. The heat reflective exterior pain is about two times costlier than the normal paint. The high performance glass used for green buildings to keep them cooler costs 3-4 times more than the normal glass sheet. A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) uses only 20% of the power used by an incandescent bulb, but is also 10 times costlier. And it's best not to talk about motion sensors, which automatically put off the lights when you leave a room, but burn a big hole in your wallet. 

    Some of these eco-friendly measures also help you save money. For instance, a five star air conditioner will cost 6,000-7,000 more, but it will recover the cost within 2,000 hours of usage. A CFL saves 30 for every 100 hours of usage. Assuming you use it for about four hours a day, the cost of a 240 lamp will be fully recovered within 6-7 months. 

Limited options 

If you live in a group housing society or an apartment complex, the options for you are limited. It may not be possible to use heat reflective paint for exteriors unless the housing society or builder agrees. It will not be feasible to install solar panels for generating power unless you live on the uppermost floors. Rainwater harvesting system cannot be installed in every condition. 

    Even if you live in a freehold property, many of the measures need to be taken at the construction stage. Once the building has been constructed, you may not be able to implement these green ideas. For instance, insulating water pipes with plastic foam helps cut the heating bill in cold regions during winters, but this should be done when the pipes are being laid. 

    What you can do, however, is to ensure that you use the resources optimally. Put duct tape in the gaps in windows if you use the AC. It prevents cold air from escaping and cuts your power bill. 

Why opt for a green project 

The buyers who are concerned about the carbon footprint they leave behind can opt for eco-friendly green projects. Projects are assessed on a number of parameters, such as the use of energy-efficient electrical fittings, passive architecture that minimises cooling and heating costs, water conservation systems, optimal use of natural resources, provision of recycling facilities, proximity to public transport and the impact on the site during construction. The best projects get the platinum rating, followed by gold, and finally silver. 

    S Raghupaty, senior director at the Green Business Centre of the CII, says these constructions are costlier than normal ones but help save money over the long term. Compared with an ordinary building, the construction cost of a platinum-rated project is 7-8% higher. Raghupaty claims this cost is recovered within 4-5 years by way of lower power and water bills and cheaper amenities. Gold-rated projects cost 5-6% more and the additional cost is recovered in 3-4 years, while silverrated projects are 3-5% costlier and take about 2-3 years to recover the extra cost. 

    Gagan Singh, CEO, project and 

    development services, Jones Lang LaSalle 

    India, is another votary of green projects. She says that the electricity and water bills in green projects are 25-30% lower than in ordinary projects. Besides, the cost of replacement, repair and maintenance is also lower. Rajendra Pate, director of the Mumbaibased Amit Enterprises Housing, 

    says the material used in green home projects are more durable and last longer than the conventional ones. "This is one of the main reasons why houses in green buildings fetch a much better resale price than the normal ones," he says. 

    Lenders are doing their bit for the environment too. Raghupaty says some public sector banks waive the processing charges on home loans or offer lower rates if you are buying a green project. 

Intangible benefits 

Not all eco-friendly measures translate into more money, but there is also the bigger goal of saving the Earth for future generations. "The health and well-being of the customer is an intangible benefit of the eco-friendly home," says Raghupaty. This is why more and more builders and real estate developers are launching green projects. The CII Green Business Centre estimates that by 2015, nearly half the new projects will be green buildings. When the trend becomes the norm, the world—and your city—will certainly be a better place to live in. 

How you save by going green 

Solar panel 

WHAT THEY COST 

50,000-3 lakh for installation. 

WHAT YOU SAVE 

12,000-15,000 on power bill in a year. 

CFL bulbs 

WHAT THEY COST 

200-250 compared to 20 for an ordinary bulb. 

WHAT YOU SAVE 

30 per 100 hrs of use (25 w bulb). 

Star-rated products 

WHAT THEY COST 

5,000-7,000 more than the unrated ones 

WHAT YOU SAVE 

2,000-3,500 per 1,000 hrs of use (1.5 ton AC) 

Rainwater harvesting 

WHAT IT COSTS 

20,000-30,000 for installing the system. 

WHAT YOU SAVE 

40% on water bill, plus rebate from the government.