Thuri György Grammar School
9. a
English project on
My eco-friendly home
Submitted by: Zsombor Márk Kalmár
Submitted to: Orsolya Kiss
Subject: English
Submit date: 02. 02. 2023.
1. Introduction
This project is about eco-friendly houses. It presents what an eco-friendly house is, what
materials they are built of, where they are built, if the investment returns. Furthermore it
shows an own idea with floor map and detailed description and some ideas, how we can make
our home into an eco-friendlier one.
Period of the project: from November 2022 to March 2023. I work on my own. I search for
photos and information on the Internet, in some magazines and books. I take notes and I
organize the information in a PPT presentation. I concentrate on the summary of my
knowledge, and I try to transfer them into an easily understandable form to open people’s
eyes, that every single person can do something for a better living. Most of the knowledge is
from the book „A környezettudatos otthon” written by Marcus Franken and Monica Götze.
1.1 Previous work
Sustainability is a main social problem. It affects several area in our world: our climate,
environmental protection, social aspects and manufacturing processes. Something to live for
is sustainable, if it fits into the order of the nature. What we all want to have in our life is
mostly an own house. Is it possible to build a house, which is as good for us as for the nature?
What does it look like? I could not find an official definition for what an eco-friendly home
is. Perhaps there is not a perfect one. Everybody knows more or less, what the word eco-
friendly means. They also know that it is not a simple thing that could be characterized with
two sentences. However, most experts have mentioned these words in association with it:
natural materials, energy conservation, sustainability, waste reduction or carbon footprint.
Generally speaking, an eco-friendly home, also called green home, is a building or a house
that has been designed with environmentally friendly materials, energy systems, heating and
appliances. Therefore, it is energy efficient both in its construction and in use. Nowadays
these things are very important; there are a number of reasons for building a home that makes
you and the planet happy. Such as, you can reduce your carbon footprint.
Encyclopaedia Britannica tells that the amount of carbon dioxide emission associated with all
the activities of a person or a thing, for example a building. A carbon footprint is usually
expressed as a measure of weight, as in tons of CO₂ per year. The highest is it in developed
countries, like in the United States. As it is well known, CO₂ and other greenhouse gasses
causes the climate changing, so we should product as less as we can. Namely, carbon
footprint can be reduce through improving energy efficiency and changing lifestyle. For
example, using public transportation, high-efficiency lighting, using renewable energy
resources.
In addition to that, you can save time and money. Buy local materials, it reduces fuel costs.
Furthermore, you can do something for the next generations. Sustainability means,
„Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends on our natural
environment, where human and nature can exist in harmony to support present and future
generations.” (EPA)
1.2 Eco-friendly houses in the world
There are many reasons to do something for our environment. From the beginning of
industrial revolution, the temperature has increased more than 1 °C, and ocean levels have
risen 19 cm. Our climate is changing. Mostly greenhouse gasses cause it. The process is
irreversible, but we can slow it down. However, these problems are serious; people do not
have to be afraid of a sustainable lifestyle. It can be illustrated by descripting of building eco-
friendly houses. There are more and more people, who understand the importance of
environmental protection. However, even more people are needed, who can really do that.
As well as Africa is among the fastest-growing regions of the world. The urban area is
estimated to expand at 4.5 percent per year. With the rapid growth, more buildings are needed
to be built. At the same time, Africa accounts for 6 percent of global energy demand, and
more than half of it comes from its buildings. Therefore, it is clear, that sustainability is very
important. Fortunately, Africa is rich in renewable energy sources, for example solar and
wind. More and more eco-friendly homes are built.
Eco-friendly homes are built from Alaska to Australia. For example in Ireland, we can find
modular timber frame houses, traditional Irish cottages, with the highest energy efficiency
rating, and low cost by adding modules. It is affordable one for young starter families, with
limited incomes.
There are many other famous eco-friendly houses: The Crystal House, Netherlands: This
sustainable building features a green roof, rainwater harvesting, and a heat recovery system. It
is also powered by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
The Cube House, Rotterdam: The Cube House is a series of cubic buildings that are designed
to be energy-efficient and sustainable. They feature green roofs, solar panels, and highly
efficient heating and cooling systems.
The Tamedia Office Building, Switzerland: This sustainable office building uses renewable
energy sources such as solar panels, and features green walls, rainwater harvesting, and a
green roof.
The Blue House, France: This sustainable house is powered by renewable energy sources
such as solar panels and wind turbines, and features a green roof, rainwater harvesting, and a
heat recovery system.
The Round House, United Kingdom: The Round House is a sustainable house that features a
green roof, rainwater harvesting, and a highly efficient heating and cooling system. It is also
powered by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
1.3 How to build an eco-friendly home
Planning is the most important thing. Insulation, heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and
materials are determinant. Heating cooling and ventilation is a serious part of planning,
because the greatest source of climate change comes from any single air-conditioning
systems. Offices are traditionally built with fixed windows, so these buildings have to be air-
conditioned all the time. Great design ideas, as glass roofs cannot always be comfortable or
energy efficient. Many investors keep their own interest on profit, aside from healthy and safe
life of the next generations. At least three things should determine the way to build an eco-
friendly house. Firstly, it should be suitable to the climate; secondly, it should match with the
landscape and social environment. Finally, design should be long lasting. Climatic
requirements must be considered. According to that can be planned, how much heating and
cooling will be needed. The colder the climate, the more insulation needed. Style of the house
should be simple, similar to local building, and natural coloured.
By choosing materials, following are important: How much energy is required to produce it?
How much is the CO₂ emission by producing? How toxic is the material? How far should it
be delivered? How long can it last? Popular materials are stone, wood, glass, plaster-stone,
clay, soil, reed grass and straw.
Form of the house should have spacious interior, with an exterior cut down to a minimum.
2 Presentation
2.1 Presentation of a few types of eco houses
We can classify eco-houses according to their energy consumption or way of architecture.
Low-energy houses provide high living standards and comfort with low energy consumption
and carbon emissions. They use less energy than a traditional or average new house. The
heating energy consumption must be under 70 kWh per square meter per year. With a good
insulation heat loss can be cut down to the minimum in winter, too. Anyway, cost of
construction will be higher, because of the high-quality insulating, premium doors and
windows and complex heating technology. Implementing is expensive, but it is worth,
because you have to pay lower bills. Low energy houses are popular in Europe. Not only a
family home can have these qualities, but kindergartens, libraries or other public facilities. It
is always a hard question, whether a low-income family can afford an energy efficient home.
They need it more than others do, but they cannot spend on improvements. Fortunately, there
are public intention, to give opportunity people with low incomes to have a modern home,
which is affordable them.
Passive houses
In a passive house, there is not any active heating system. Its
heating energy consumption is under 15 kWh per square meter
per year. They have doubled isolation measures, than an average
house. Usually it is used 35 to 40 cm mineral wool or
polyurethane. Premium doors and windows are also needed.
Orientation of the building is very important, because heat comes
from the light that comes through the windows. The house must
face south with big glass surface, other walls have to be protected by strong isolation. This
type of houses can we find especially in Japan.
Tiny houses
These kind of houses are usually very small. They are
often movable with maximal 50 square meter included
loft space, but comfortable for residential use. You can
move it, but you will not be able to travel around the
world. Because of its measure, it can get warm easily;
therefore, ventilation and cooling system are needed.
Price per square foot can be doubled than an average
house. You have to calculate with less storage place. It is usually cheaper to build a tiny house
than to by one. Tiny houses are popular around the world. They are more affordable than
average houses, especially in America. Maintenance, home insurance and monthly housing
cost can be half of an average house.
Zero carbon houses
It is a house, which does not emit
greenhouse gasses. You do not
need to use fossil fuels, like gas or
wood. During its operation, a zero
carbon house emits no CO₂. It is
important because of the climate
change. In addition to that, its renewable energy production is equal to energy use and
emission. Of course, it is about ten percent more expensive than an average house. Otherwise,
they are more durable than standard houses because better material are used in construction.
You can save much many with it, because you will not pay for heating. Therefore, if you can
afford a new home, you can afford a zero carbon home, too. Number of zero carbon houses is
the highest in UK.
I think, there is no single "best" eco-home as the best option depends on a variety of factors
including climate, location, budget, personal preferences, and the specific environmental
goals of the homeowner. Ultimately, the best eco-home is one that meets the needs and goals
of the homeowner while minimizing its impact on the environment.
When building an eco-home, several factors are important to consider in order to minimize
the home's impact on the environment and to ensure that it is energy-efficient and sustainable.
Some of the most important considerations include using high-efficiency insulation, windows,
as well as renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. Water Conservation using
low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and grey water systems. Using materials that are
sustainable, locally sourced, and have a low environmental impact is important for building a
truly eco-friendly home. Choosing a site that is suitable for the specific type of eco-home you
are building is important. For example, a passive home needs to be oriented to take advantage
of the sun's energy, while an Earthship may be best built into a hill to take advantage of the
natural insulation provided by the earth. Using materials and finishes that are non-toxic, low-
emitting, and promote good indoor air quality is critical for the health and well-being of the
occupants.
These are some of the key considerations, which are important to me, when building an eco-
home. By prioritizing these factors, you can help ensure that your home is both
environmentally friendly and sustainable.
2.1 Presentation of my own idea: Floor plan explanations
As you can see on this house
plan, the house has white
walls, which reflects the heat.
It has green roofs, which
capture the rainwater, reduce
heat and thermally insulate
the interior spaces and
promote biodiversity.
Furthermore, it has multiple
terraces and gardens, which
generate outdoor living spaces. The overhangs and pergolas offer protection against the sun in
hot weather and let light in in the winter, so we do not necessarily need to use any air
conditioning in the summer. The house should be designed to take advantage of natural light
and minimize the need for artificial lighting. This can be achieved by orienting the house to
face the sun and including large windows on the south and west sides. An open plan living
area can help reduce energy consumption by allowing for natural light and airflow. This can
also create a sense of space and provide a connection to the outdoors. Zoning the living areas
can help to minimize energy consumption by separating living spaces from sleeping spaces,
reducing the need for heating or cooling. It is built of sustainable materials such as bamboo or
recycled wood for flooring and cabinetry, and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints,
flooring, and insulation. It is considered the placement of heating and cooling systems and
appliances to minimize energy consumption and reduce the carbon footprint of the house.
Include outdoor spaces such as a patio or deck to connect with the outdoors and enjoy natural
light and fresh air.
2.3 Why is it beneficial; when and how much money can you save?
Eco-friendly houses are beneficial because they can save homeowners money on energy bills
while reducing their environmental impact. Eco-friendly houses are designed to minimize
energy consumption, which can lead to lower energy bills. This is achieved using high-
efficiency insulation, airtight construction, and the incorporation of renewable energy sources
such as solar panels. While the initial cost of building an eco-friendly house may be higher,
the long-term savings on energy bills can offset this cost. Additionally, eco-friendly houses
often have a higher resale value, which can benefit homeowners when they sell the property.
Eco-friendly houses are becoming increasingly popular, and as a result, can have a higher
resale value. The amount of money you can save with an eco-friendly house will depend on a
number of factors, including the design and construction of the house, energy prices, and the
homeowner's lifestyle. However, homeowners can expect to save between 10-50% on their
energy bills compared to a conventionally built home.
3. Conclusion: How does eco-friendly homes help the environment?
Eco-homes help the environment by reducing their impact on the planet and promoting
sustainability. Here are some ways in which they do so:
1. Energy Efficiency: Eco-homes are designed to be highly energy-efficient, using
insulation, efficient windows, and HVAC systems, as well as incorporating renewable
energy sources such as solar or wind power. This helps to reduce energy consumption,
lower greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate climate change.
2. Water Conservation: Eco-homes often feature water-saving technologies, such as low-
flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and grey water systems, which conserve water and
reduce the demand for treated drinking water.
3. Sustainable Building Materials: Eco-homes are often built using sustainable, low-
impact building materials, such as bamboo, straw bale, and rammed earth, which have
a smaller environmental footprint than traditional building materials like concrete and
steel.
4. Reduced Waste: Eco-homes are often designed to minimize waste, using recycled and
repurposed materials, composting systems, and other methods to reduce the amount of
waste generated.
By incorporating these and other environmentally friendly features, eco-homes help to reduce
their impact on the planet and promote sustainability.
Protect the environment is the responsibility of every single person. Buildings account for
about 40 percent of emission of greenhouse gasses. Eco-homes use locally produced materials
as much as possible in order to keep this footprint as small as possible. Eco-homes try to work
with the environment around them in order to minimize the building's impact on wildlife and
the water supply. Eco-friendly homes can be part of solution in slow-down of climate
changing.
Sources:
“ecohouse” third edition Sue Roaf, Manuel Fuentes and Stephanie Thomas
The Eco-Home Design Guide, Christopher, GreenBooks England 2016
„A környezettudatos otthon” Marcus Franken, Monika Götze, Gingko Kiadó 2021
https://www.usgbc.org/articles/how-green-buildings-can-help-fight-climate-change
https://www.britannica.com/science/pollution-environment
https://climate.selectra.com/en/advice/eco-house
Picture 1. https://www.remodelista.com/posts/what-is-a-passive-house/
Picture 2. https://rolling-tiny-house.de/wohnwagen-tiny-house-unterschied/
Picture 3. https://www.yourhome.gov.au/live-adapt/zero-carbon
