Why? The obvious reason to consider / implement green building solutions is the environment the better insulated your home the less C02 emissions you produce this in turn helps protect the earths Limited resources of fossil fuels it will also save you money.

The government is tackling the issue of home energy performance by phasing in a requirement that every home for sale has a Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) EPCs will detail the current energy performance of the property, how it can be improved, how much the improvement will cost and the annual savings they will achieve.

ABM explained “Once people have brought a property they should consider energy performance when they are deciding what home improvement work to undertake. Improvements will not only reduce home running costs in the short term, but will also give the home better energy performance in the longer term.

Authorities increasingly expect planning applications to demonstrate Sustainable Urban drainage Strategy (SUDS) initiatives such as rain harvesting energy saving solutions.

What are Eco-friendly / Green building solutions?

Eco-friendly, or ecological, construction is building a structure that is beneficial or non-harmful to the environment, and resource efficient. Otherwise known as green building, this type of construction is efficient in its use of local and renewable materials, and in the energy required to build it, and the energy generated while being within it.

Eco-friendly construction has developed in response to the knowledge that buildings have an often negative impact upon our environment and our natural resources. This includes transporting materials hundreds or thousands of miles, which has a negative impact in the energy required to transport them, and also in emissions of hazardous chemicals from a poorly designed building that creates, and traps them.

Since the Second World War, it’s become a tradition to build homes quickly and cheaply. Quality and natural materials were rejected and materials designed for more profitable short-term returns were used. Cheaper UPVC is still favoured over wooden windows, despite its shorter life span and the pollution caused by its production and disposal.

Cement is now favoured over lime because it sets quicker, although it traps water and exaggerates the decay of stone and brick. Gypsum plasters and plasterboards are also used in the renovation of old houses with solid walls because they are a cheaper alternative to traditional lime or clay plasters but often fail if damp penetrates old walls.

Everyday people are using cheap paints, MDF and carpet adhesives in their homes, all of which emit gas and dangerous chemicals, which affect our health.

Below are just a few alternatives that will help the environment as well as improving your energy rating.

• Using alterative natural wool insulation such as Warmcell or
  Thermafleece instead of manmade products.
  
• Recommending and purchasing Timber from sustainable source.
  
• Using solvent-free paints and varnishes (Natural paints)
  
• Advising, designing and installing rainwater harvesting systems to recycle your rain or grey water waste.

Affordability is key to the environmental challenge as well as knowing how best to save energy within your own home. There’s a wide range of products giving you the choice if you wish to cut your CO2 emissions and save money as well as be providing a healthier environment for you and your children to enjoy, but before you run out and cover your roof with wind turbines and solar panels to generate own electricity make sure you get the basics right first and insulate your home before you generate. You can start saving money right now just by following these simple money saving ideas (Page link energy counter).

Natural paints are micro-porous, meaning moisture is allowed to pass through them, whilst remaining waterproof. This is akin to a built-in ventilation system, ensuring there is always fresh air in the building. It also allows the building to regulate its moisture content making it difficult for mould to form

Conventional petro-chemical oil-based paints and varnishes contain many complex volatile chemicals which remain volatile long after they have been applied to our walls and woodwork. Hence that paint smell which lingers its been proven that petro-chemical paints effect your health / nerves system.

Paints and other finishes (like stains and varnishes) are some of the most notorious violators of indoor air quality in our homes. One reason for their bad reputation is that paints, stains, and other finishes often release (offgas) substantial quantities of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Because of out-gassing, the early months of inhabitation can be taxing, indeed even harmful, to one's health. For people who are chemically sensitive, the effect can be devastating.

So what do we do if we fancy a change to our home? Serious atmospheric pollutants don't tally well with our organic eating, recycle everything consciousness. And, however nice our kids room may look with a makeover, do we really want them sleeping in wall-to-wall chemicals?

Some effects from the toxic ingredients of paints include:

• depression of the central nervous system,
• causing headaches,
• nausea and giddiness,
• irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory track,
• asthma, anaemia and bronchitis.

Affordability is key to the environmental challenge as well as knowing how best to save energy within your own home. There’s a wide range of products giving you the choice if you wish to cut your CO2 emissions and save money as well as improving your environment, but before you run out and cover your roof with wind turbines and solar panels to generate own electricity make sure you get the basics right first and insulate your home before you generate and try to implement natural organic building techniques.