What is an IGBC-certified green home and its benefits?

According to the Ministry of Urban Development, by 2030, the country is expected to have 68 cities with a population of one million, 13 cities with more than 4 million people, and 6 megacities with a population of 10 million or more. This data indicates that there is going to be an upsurge in housing requirements in the coming future. This rise in demand will also lead to higher energy and water consumption. The only way to meet this demand is by adopting green home concepts in the residential sector and ensuring that future growth is sustainable in nature.

What is a green building?

A green building is a sustainably designed building that is the perfect blend of high-quality construction and low environmental impact concepts. Green buildings are built in a way to preserve natural resources while construction. Adoption of green techniques and concepts while building homes can create positive impacts on our climate and natural environment.

Green homes are paving a way for India to usher into a new era of sustainability. They majorly focus on effective usage of water and energy resources, optimum material utilization, and efficient waste management system. The concept of green building is not simply confined to the building walls but also extends to site planning, land-use planning, and other issues as well.

What is an IGBC-certified green home?

IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) green home is the first rating program developed exclusively for residential properties in India. This rating program is a medium through which designers can apply green concepts and principles to reduce the environmental impact of constructing new buildings.

The program strives to strike a balance between established practices and emerging green concepts. IGBC home criteria allow the construction of buildings that are sustainable over their life cycle. The IGBC-certified green home addresses the need for the housing sector to make a judicious move toward sustainable living so as to leave a better earth for future generations.

Benefits of staying in an IGBC-certified green home

Green homes are known to have tremendous benefits, both tangible and intangible. Those who decide to invest in a green home today are going to witness the value of their investment multiplied by a factor much higher than normal homes. Staying in a green home is not eco friendly but also beneficial to you, the resident.

Here are some common positive impacts of green homes:

 1.  Conservation of water

Every IGBC-certified building takes dedicated measures for the conservation of energy. Almost 30-50 percent of the water is saved and reused in green homes through several techniques including rainwater harvesting, water metering, management of irrigation systems, etc.

2.  Conservation of energy

Saving energy is an essential step that must be taken to reduce the consumption of natural resources and live a more environmentally conscious life. A green building helps you do that by conserving almost 20-30 percent of the energy.

3.  Waste management system

IGBC has made it mandatory for all the green homes to have a waste treatment system installed within its boundaries. All the disposables and organic waste from different houses are collected and then either recycled or reused.

4.  Excellent daylighting

While living in an IGBC-certified green home, there is no need to switch on lights all the time. The houses are built in a way to let ample amount of natural sunlight inside the house hence providing not only health benefits but also lower electricity costs.

5.  Conservation of scarce natural resources

Green buildings are largely made by using sustainable raw materials that can either be reused or recycled at any time. Using sustainable materials while construction not only leads to the conservation of scarce natural resources but also makes the living atmosphere healthy and breathable.

6.  Lower energy bills

Green buildings help in saving 15-20 percent on electricity bills due to their maximum usage of natural light. They also help in lowering electricity bills by making use of solar heating systems and energy-efficient walls and rooms. Installation of solar panels and use of natural light reduces the need for CFL and LED bulbs significantly.

The future of IGBC green homes

To enable the construction of green homes, several green building materials, technologies, and equipment are frequently introduced in the market. To keep up with the constant up-gradation and introduction of new green technologies and certified green products, it becomes crucial for the IGBC rating program to undergo continuous revisions. Each IGBC-certified home is built in line with the latest advances and changes in green technology. We highly recommend homebuyers to invest in a green home as there are imminent, tangible, and sustained rewards in the form of reduced electricity bills, reduced water bills, lower medical bills due to a healthier lifestyle, and overall improved quality of life for the entire family.