On the Jumeirah Village Circle development, amid the sprawling building works that continue to mushroom, is a show villa with a difference. It may have the mandatory stunning furnishings, discerning artwork on the walls and gracious ornaments in all the right places, but this villa doesn't just pay attention to detail, it is also environment-friendly and thus highly energy efficient.
Being energy efficient is de rigueur and it makes sense. After all, this is one way that homeowners can make a difference to the world and cut back on costs. So, when Green Facilities Management, which provides environment-friendly solutions for the home, wanted to showcase its work, it was only natural that it had an eco-friendly show home that proves exactly how easy it can be to change your property into a money-saving, sustainable haven.
The first thing that hits you about this Leed-certified townhouse, called Sandoval Gardens, is that it looks like any other show home. However, what this proves is that aesthetics do not have to be compromised in order to become energy efficient. Indeed, it is the simple things that make all the difference, and as Amandeep Panesar, managing director, Green Facilities Management, shows us around, we manage to spot the subtle signs that make a difference to saving energy.
Sustainable features
Examples include white blinds on the windows to retract the sunlight, ensuring the room remains cool without the use of too much air-conditioning. Naturally, the lights are all energy efficient too.
A recycled light shade, which acts as a centrepiece in the master bedroom, is made from recycled material and while it looks like an electric guzzling chandelier, it uses only one, energy saving light bulb instead.
Whether you live in an older home or a newer plush property, sustainable homes are the way forward and this is good news for your budget. "Sustainable homes have the added advantage of being resource efficient and can significantly cut home expenses and save lots of money," Amandeep suggests.
When it comes to making your home energy efficient, there is plenty of equipment to choose from. "Nowadays, there are several technologies, innovations and developments in green technology, helping consumers to do their part in saving the planet, and creating eco-friendly homes. Technology includes solar panels, wind turbines, energy-efficient air-conditioning units, solar chargers, shower meters, energy-saving bulbs and numerous other eco-friendly products that are already available on the market," Amandeep advises.
Energy-efficient lighting
Energy-saving bulbs are certainly one example of how you can help the environment and save money at home. Nathan Peek, manager, Aura Lighting Systems, explains, "The potential for energy saving within lighting is huge. As much as 20 per cent of the global electricity consumption is used for lighting. Lighting is one of the easiest ways to save energy, where customers very quickly get return on their investment."
So, how can we do this? "The fastest and easiest way is to simply change the fluorescent tubes to energy-saving fluorescent tubes in existing equipment and start saving 10 per cent energy immediately," says Nathan. "The energy saving can give a return on investment in less than two years and the investment is very limited."
Nathan claims that by changing only 1,000 lamps burning 12 hours per day, it's estimated that we can save up to approximately 145,000 kg of CO2 emissions. "The UAE has one of the highest carbon footprints in the world and every change counts," adds Nathan.
Indeed, Amandeep says that by using energy-efficient appliances and equipment, households can save up to 15 per cent each year on utility bills. As this results in less electricity consumption, it will, in turn, also reduce the release of unnecessary gases into the climate.
"While they cost more upfront, they will often recoup the money in lower utility bills over the product's lifetime, all while helping save the environment," says Amandeep. "While home appliances look pretty much the same on the outside, they vary greatly in terms of energy efficiency and operating costs. The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run. Investing funds in responsible and energy-efficient equipment will yield a good rate of return over time."
Although these products may cost more in the short term, Amandeep insists, "While a consumer may think they are getting a deal by choosing the lower-priced product today, down the road, they may find that those few fils or dirhams of savings cost them the chance of a healthy environment and life in the future."
The cost of going green
How much it costs to completely revamp your home to become an energy-efficient abode varies from approximately Dh70,000 to Dh300,000. However, Green Facilities Management claims that if you do wish to make that switch, it is as straightforward as possible.
"Green Facilities Management offers various packages that aim for homes to be more environment friendly and energy-efficient. Our energy-saving ‘Green Awareness' package sees to it that, wherever possible, homes are made into a lean, mean, energy-saving machine. It includes refitting and fixing loose door and window brush strips, checking external door and window frame seals, checking, laying or refitting any insulation and fitting energy-efficient light bulbs, and so on," explains Amandeep.
Whether you decide to get the help of a professional or want to do it your own way, Amandeep suggests that there are several ways that can help each and every one of us become more earth-conscious and make smart decisions that affect our environment. He continues, "One way to create an energy-saving home is to purchase efficient windows and appliances, since these would cause your home to require much less energy overall than traditional ones.
Another way is by replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, halogen bulbs or LED bulbs. Just by improving insulation and sealing leaks at home, it could potentially save homeowners 10 per cent on their annual energy bill."
While chemical-free cleaning equipment is another pivotal change you should make if you wish to maintain a healthy home, hazards lurk elsewhere, especially if you have used non-environment-friendly paints on your property. So, what are the risks if you continue to use these paints? Murtaza Ali Challawala, project sales and marketing manager, Al Gurg Paints, explains, "Primarily, this affects the health of the occupants, especially young children. It also has a higher carbon footprint and emission of pollutants."
So, if you want to benefit your health, the world and your pocket, then there is no time like the present to make changes in the home, no matter how big or small they are.
Routine checks
"Regular home maintenance can save owners money over the life of their properties by identifying problems before they become catastrophes," says Amandeep Panesar, managing director, Green Facilities Management.
Routine maintenance of appliances will save money on premature replacement.
