Energy-Efficient Affordable Housing Ideas: Creating Sustainable and Cost-Effective Homes
The growing need for affordable housing presents an opportunity to address another pressing issue: energy efficiency.
They are mostly constructed for low income earners whereby such earners spend most of their income on electricity bills.
Energy conservation features can be incorporated into the affordable housing designs such that these costs may be minimized as well as assist in attaining the far-reaching goal of sustainability of the earth’s energies.
We will discuss three key approaches for affordable housing ideas: Continuous ventilation, aspiring height, the use of various passive design strategies as well as energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable building materials.
1. Passive Design Strategies for Energy Efficiency
Passive design means the design features of the building that control the amount of light or heat that enters through the window or the amount of heat that is released through the roof without the use of mechanical equipment.
This is one of the most important affordable housing ideas that is most important to low-income housing where saving on heating, cooling or lighting can mean so much to residents.
Optimizing Building Orientation and Layout
Optimizing facial orientation and design of a building is of one the best affordable housing ideas that greatly influence on the energy use of the heap.
For instance, correctly positioning structures that are houses to acknowledge the direction of sun light will help to minimise the surface area that requires artificial lighting and heating during the day.
In extreme areas of the country, it becomes most effective to place large windows, living spaces on the south side of building to capture as much of the winter sun as possible during the colder months.
On the other hand, in warmer climates by reducing the amount of west facing windows, the heat that is gained from the outside can be considerably minimized and this aspect of designing not only allows the interior space to be cooler than using air conditioning all the time.
Incorporating Natural Ventilation and Cooling
The passive design strategies would help to minimize the use of mechanical cooling systems, which is a major energy load in tropical climate.
Ventilation, often known as Car correlation, and where the windows, and the vents are opened to help air blow through the building, can help keep the spaces cooler in hot weather.
Shading devices including horizontal projections like an overhang, verandah or roof; projecting awning or bay window; or exterior shutter can prevent direct sun rays reaching the window at midday.
Improving Insulation and Air Sealing
Proper insulation and proper air control are cornerstone to the energy efficient housing and one of the potent affordable housing ideas.
This can cause increased heat in winter with the home using more energy to try to heat up while in summer the house remains hot with much energy to cool down.
Cost effective insulation can be installed within affordable housing projects including cellulose or recycled denim which will enhance the thermal performance.
Proper insulation of all cracks and holes on window and doors and other passes help to reduce air infiltration which allows conditioned air to be confined to indoors as well as unconditioned air to remain outdoors.
2. Integrating Energy-Efficient Technologies
Energy efficient technologies in the design of affordable housing lower the utility bills of the tenants and also help to lessen the effect of the building on the environment.
However, these technologies require some initial costs, nonetheless, they are recovering those costs through cost affectivity in terms of energy savings and other incentives or rebates if any.
Here follows some of the energy efficient technologies that may be incorporated in affordable housing.
Renewable energy systems and solar energy
Solar energy is among the most efficient methods of lowering a building’s carbon footprint as well as energy expenses.
Putting solar panel systems in affordable housing units make people to produce their power thus cutting costs on electricity.
Incentives can be in the form of tax credit or grants that assist in bringing down the cost of putting the panels hence making it fit for the incorporation in affordable housing units.
Renewable energy system is one of the greatest affordable housing ideas specially for the countries where energy cost is high.
Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliances
Substituting existing lighting and appliances with energy efficient lighting and appliances will drastically lower consumption of energy in affordable housing.
For instance LED lights are known to consume up to 75% of energy that is used by normal bulbs and have longer life span.
Lighting that will turn on and off based on some movements in the common areas as well as the prospects of the compound will also help in the efficient use of electricity.
Likewise, energy conserving facilities like the fridges, washing machines, and air conditioners to mention but a few, yet the services delivered are similar to those of the more energy consuming appliances.
Smart Thermostats and Home Automation
Some of the technologies within smart homes include smart thermostats; they can help in controlling power consumption in affordable houses through learning people’s schedules and adapting to the changes they make on heating or cooling the house.
For instance, a smart thermostat will decrease heating when the residents are not in the house and then turn the heating on at the right time, making it more efficient.
Smart appliances, lights and HVAC systems’ ability to connect with home automation systems mean that energy can be better controlled and used.
3. Using Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Building Materials
It is clearly established that the decision on the type of construction materials influences the energy aspects and sustainability of affordable housing.
Emphasis on analysis of the effect of materials of environmental friendliness in construction and the subsequent energy characteristics of the constructed objects.
Reuse, Recycle and Regional Content
An additional sustainability concept, which is still in its infancy but gain considerable importance as well is the use of recycled materials in the construction of affordable housing.
Specifically, recycled steel, reclaimed wood, salvaged bricks that can be utilized for structural parts; again, recycled glass can be integrated into windows and countertops.
These materials not only ensure reduced environmental degradations but can also reduce local cost of construction when such materials are locally available.
Green Roofs and Living Walls
Vegetative roofs and facades contribute positively to energy performance because they help to lessen the local climate heat island effect and act as insulators.
A green roof is one in which the rooftop is covered with plants that play the role of neutralizing rain water, act as insulator, and also prevent the roof from UV deterioration.
Such natural barrier of insulation cuts out the need for air conditioning during hot seasons or heating during the cold seasons.
Sustainable Insulation Materials
Comparable or even superior to such products as fiberglass and foam there are bio-friendly insulating materials.
For instance, insulation produced from the fleece of the sheep is organic and organic, and it provides great insulation features such as heat and moisture control.
Another sustainable option is cork insulation which is renewable, has sound and fire barrier properties.
Conclusion
Energy efficient affordable housing is a feasible undertaking despite the development of high technology that requires more energy in the current world of energy increase, scarcity of resources and environmental conservation.
When passive design concepts, efficient technologies and sustainable materials are incorporated into affordable housing, energy can be saved, costs reduced and residents can lead comfortable lives, thus are one of the best affordable housing ideas
In essence, there is need to develop techniques in the construction business that will last, gone are the days, when building techniques were done with the view of meeting the temporary requirement of shelter only.
Such an approach means that energy-efficient designs and ecologically friendly materials enable one to construct houses that are affordable and meet all living standards necessary for people with low income and at the same time create demand for innovation, making human life more sustainable.
Also read: Integrated Affordable Housing Models Ideas Towards Affordability