Taking on a new building project or making improvements to your home can have many environmental implications so is the average person really taking environmentally issues seriously. Research suggests that many people are in fact thinking about environmental issues and more importantly looking at ways to reduce energy costs.
In today’s economic and global climate large corporations are taking the green issue very seriously and many of them are funding large environmental research projects. In fact many of them are pushing there companies forward through new and exciting green building developments. CIS for example have recently given there head quarters a face lift with 7000 new solar panelled windows. The Hearst Tower in New York City has been built using 80% recycled steel and new green developments include the Lighthouse Tower in Dubai and the Urban Cactus in Rotterdam. So with the corporations looking at the green issue is it time for the focus to shift to the individual?
Many would be inclined to think yes but what can the individual really do?
How The Individual Can Help
As with most things people can try and learn a little more about the subject as there seems to be plenty of misgivings about it. There are numerous specialist websites on the area including EcoGeek and the Energy Saving Trust. People can also look at the building materials and methods that they use on future home improvements. So for example the paint you use and what materials are used for insulation.
Insulation for example is one of the main areas where people can make a real difference. Using a spray foam insulation can help reduce energy costs and the solution used for spray foam is environmentally friendly. That is they use no harmful fibres and the foam is usually much more effective than tradition insulation. In some cases spray foam insulation can help reduce heat loss by upto 80%.
In the summer months insulation can help to keep a room cool whereas it can also keep a room warm in the winter months. This is done through its ability to form an extra barrier between the inside and outside and keep the air levels balanced.
In the summer months many people consider installing wooden decking in their gardens. People should consider the type of trees that are used to make the decking and whether there are eco friendly alternatives. Essentially there is many things we as individuals can do. We can install solar panels and more efficient utilities for example. The key lies in planning. Plan your green building project carefully and research materials fully. Research suggests that the emphasis is now on us and we should be using greener building materials.
At Sprayseal we can help you with your insulation projects. If you would like more information then please fill out the form on the right.
Tags: green building, green building materials, green insulation, green materials