The advantage of building greenhouses is that they now come with new technologies that save money on energy, are more durable, require less maintenance and help preserve natural resources. For these reasons are in great demand today, both by contractors and customers. The following green home building solutions have proven to be reliable and effective, and can provide growth opportunities for your business.

• Photovoltaic systems are one of the solutions to build green houses

A problem in the past, when using integrated photovoltaic systems in the building, was that they generated a lot of heat on the surface of the building, causing materials such as subfloors to fail prematurely. Manufacturers have introduced materials, such as Ever guard TPO from GAF, that withstand the high demands of solar installations.

• Integrated photovoltaic system

One of the biggest impediments to building green homes has been that many homeowners do not want to install “big ugly solar panels” on their roofs. Manufacturers have responded by producing different integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, or solar panels, which are more economical and more resembled traditional building materials.

These have been designed in the form of flexible solar panels of the same size and shape as traditional roofing, such as asphalt shingles or mud slabs, or wall panels and enameled materials that are discrete and can generate electricity from the solar energy.

Incentives for solar panels have also helped to increase demand as residents take advantage of tax advantages or rebates on basic services to significantly reduce the initial purchase and installation cost. Although such incentives vary from state to state, where they exist, they are generating the implementation and adoption of solar panels.

According to the Nano Markets Report, the current BIPV market in the US UU. Is $ 2 billion, and only the BIPV glass market is expected to reach more than $ 6 billion over the next four years?

Although BIPV glass and wall coverings used in the commercial sector require a high degree of technical efficiency for proper installation, many residential BIPV products are easy to install if you have a basic knowledge in construction. Some BIPV shingles, with an incredibly similar appearance to normal shingles, can be placed by any roofer and do not require an electrician.

The large format porcelain slab is being recognized more as an ecological material because it is extremely durable and water resistant.

• Large size porcelain slabs

One of the trends when it comes to building eco-homes are large-format porcelain slabs. Large porcelain slabs are stirring up much interest in the green houses construction sector for a number of reasons. First, they have a very low absorption level, so they perform remarkably well both floor and wall tiles, as well as indoor and outdoor.

Although porcelain slabs require a lot of energy for their production and manufacture, their strength, density, impermeability; as well as resistance to scratches, discoloration, cracking and chemicals, make them extremely durable and require little maintenance. This means that investment in energy can be extended to an extended period of useful life.

In addition to large floor slabs, there are porcelain panels for exterior coatings in sizes up to 39 inches by 118 inches. These larger panels are being made lighter and a mesh reinforcement is added to add strength. As advances like these are achieved, installation times and costs continue to decline.

Smart controls monitor conditions inside and outside the home, so they can be turned on or off as needed.

• Smart drivers

In the 1990s, there was much talk in the industry about home automation. There were systems that could control all the electrical functions of the home, and even special electro chromic windows that darkened. The problem was that many of these systems were very expensive, often unreliable and difficult for owners to use.

Nowadays, we still have a great variety of such elaborate systems; and are becoming more reliable and less expensive, but a huge number of homeowners in the US. Simpler systems of home automation are being gradually installed.

Occupancy sensors that turn the lights on and off as you enter or leave a room. Humidity sensors that turn on a ventilation system when excessive moisture is detected and turn it off when humidity decreases. “Intelligent” irrigation controls monitor soil conditions, as well as patterns and weather conditions, to automatically irrigate grass and gardens only when necessary. These are just a few examples, and most of them are sold in kits at tool stores and construction supplies.

The controls are not expensive (about $ 25, in some cases), they are easy to install and allow significant energy savings. Even the most expensive programmable thermostats, which cost around $ 250, are paid for themselves in less than a year.

Sealing leaks, combined with proper insulation and ventilation, can make your home a more comfortable place while saving energy.

• Install insulation

Industry research has determined that nearly 30 percent of heat loss in many homes is due to leaks in the thermal envelope. The first remedy is to obviously seal leaks with sealing paste, expandable foam, various gaskets and quality cover for the home. Such solutions are easier to install in a new construction than in a remodeling, but in each case it is only the first step.

The next step is to properly insulate the house, and the most effective overhaul strategy is to do it top-down, using a combination of materials. For example, place penthouse blankets in the attic and cover them with loose filler insulation, use spray foam or strips in the wall cavities, and install rigid foam boards on the outer shell and against the foundation walls.

If you are working with a snug wrap, you will need to ventilate properly to exchange the air and keep the interior more comfortable. Effective and economical strategies include central fans and passive inlet ventilation, or the slightly more expensive heat recovery fan (HRV) that is installed in existing ventilation ducts in the home.

• Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting, once a common method for supplying the precious liquid, has once again regained its popularity and is available to many. If it rains on a house, the water can be collected, diverted and stored for later irrigation of the exteriors or, after being treated, used inside the house. Rainwater harvesting systems are a great solution to build green houses and are available in different sizes and complexities, but with the same basic components:

• Catch surface, usually the roof
• Method of transmission, generally drainage channels and / or piping
• Storage area
• Means for distribution: taps, valves and outlets

The components are generally not expensive and can be virtually adapted to any situation. And new products are being introduced that allow the systems to blend in with the exterior of the home and the surrounding gardens.