An eco-friendly home need not just be a concept on paper deterred by price realities. Recent research on financial feasibility of such houses showed that though their construction costs are 17 to 30% higher than conventional buildings, they recover the money in three to five years, besides saving more than 52% in energy bills.
The Energy Resources Institute (TERI), an NGO which has developed GRIHA, a green rating system for buildings, with government support, recently displayed a walk-through model of an eco-house at a Goregaon exhibition to prove that the concept is very much achievable. “Our phone has been ringing continuously with enquiries on the concept and its affordability,” said Anjali Parasnis, a scientist with TERI. Research by TERI found that though initial civil, lighting and other costs of a partly air-conditioned green building increases the budget by an average 25%, it recovers costs within five years. “A green house consumes less energy as lighting load reduces due to changed dimensions of windows and doors to exploit natural light and solar-based fittings ,” said Parasnis. “Buildings deplete multiple resources such as forests, water, minerals, making them one of the major pollutants , thereby contributing carbon footprints. A building designed to address these issues in an integrated and scientific manner is known as a green building,” she said.
The green building norms are outlined in the Energy Conservation Building Code of the Union power ministry, LEAD, a green rating system by Indian Green Building Council and GRIHA.
Growing environmental concerns and indications that the government may provide concessions to buildings adhering to ‘green norms’ have also given an impetus to the concept. Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh and state chief minister Prithviraj Chavan recently said the environment impact assessment (EIA) notification will be amended so that houses built as per ‘green building’ norms will not need environmental clearance. “Till the time the EIA notification is amended, it has been decided to give priority to ‘green building’ proposals by offering them early clearances to promote the concept among developers,” said a senior state official. He added developers in the state will soon hold a conference on the ‘green building’ concept. The state government too will set up its own green rating system, he said.
However, Dewang Trivedi of Progressive Developers spoke of practical difficulties. “Materials are not easily available and there are quality issues. Also there is no major incentive for developers.” Another developer Rajesh Prajapati said it is a workable idea, “but there is no specific demand from customers for green flats or buildings due to the prohibitive costs.”
However, Sunil Mantri, chairman Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry said, “There is a great future for green buildings, even the middle class. But the government should reduce taxes on materials required and give carbon credits to builders.”
