By Sourabh Bansal
In recent years, there has been an increase in concern for environmental sustainability and the urgent need to address the problems caused by climate change. As a result, several industries, including the housing sector, have been forced to adopt more eco-friendly practices. Green affordable housing, a concept that is gaining popularity around the world, aims to combine the advantages of sustainability and affordability, making it a crucial answer in the fight for a greener future.
One essential element that sets Green Affordable Housing apart from traditional housing is the use of advanced building materials like AAC blocks, which play a pivotal role in revolutionizing the construction landscape. Green affordable housing exemplifies the ideal synergy between economic viability and environmental consciousness.
Green Affordable Housing vs Traditional Housing
Sustainable Materials and Practices
Green Affordable Housing: AAC blocks are at the forefront of sustainability in the construction industry. They are primarily composed of raw materials, such as gypsum, cement, lime, and water. The manufacturing process utilizes fly ash, a by-product of coal-based power generation, which would otherwise end up as waste. AAC blocks have a low carbon footprint due to their manufacturing process. The use of fly ash as a partial replacement for cement significantly reduces the amount of cement needed, thereby lowering the overall CO2 emissions associated with cement production.
Traditional Housing: In contrast, traditional housing often relies on resource-intensive materials like red clay bricks, which require extensive excavation of soil on the top layer and energy consumption during production. The manufacturing of red clay bricks contributes to soil erosion and higher CO2 emissions, making them less sustainable compared to AAC blocks.
Improved Labour Productivity
Green Affordable Housing: AAC blocks are known for their lightweight nature, making them much easier to handle during construction. AAC blocks are factory-made, ensuring consistent dimensions and shapes. With fewer blocks needed to cover the same area, construction workers can build walls more swiftly. This significantly reduces labour costs and accelerates the construction process, making green affordable housing a more viable option. AAC blocks have emerged as a game-changer in this context, not only for their environmental benefits but also for their ability to improve labour productivity.
Traditional Housing: The use of traditional materials like red clay bricks, concrete blocks, and timber often involves time-consuming preparation and handling procedures. The intricate and time-consuming nature of these tasks can translate to higher labour costs and extended project timelines.
Energy Efficiency and Material Optimization
Green Affordable Housing: AAC blocks boast exceptional thermal insulation properties, resulting in energy-efficient homes that require less heating and cooling. The porous structure and lightweight nature of AAC blocks create a highly effective barrier against heat transfer. With the potential to save up to 30% on Air Conditioning consumption, these innovative products prove highly cost-effective. Additionally, AAC blocks demand only 1/4th of the energy and 1/3rd of the material used in red clay bricks, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and resource conservation. AAC blocks have an impressive U-Value of 0.78 W/m2 .K, showcasing their superior thermal insulation capabilities. (The U-Value is a measure of a material’s ability to conduct heat. A lower U-Value indicates better thermal insulation.) The use of AAC blocks sets a new standard for sustainable construction practices that prioritize resource conservation.
Traditional Housing: Red clay brick’s high U-Value of 2.82 W/m2 .K implies that they allow a more substantial amount of heat to pass. Their poor thermal insulation translates into higher utility bills and higher energy consumption for homeowners. The manufacturing process of red clay bricks involves energy-intensive firing in kilns, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to environmental degradation.
As the demand for affordable housing grows, the construction industry faces a unique opportunity to prioritize sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Green Affordable Housing, driven by innovations like AAC blocks, represents a compelling solution that not only addresses the pressing need for cost-effective housing but also fosters a more sustainable future for both communities and the planet.
Also read: What is green affordable housing and how to opt for it?
Climate change poses significant threats to our planet, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems. The construction industry, being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption, has a crucial role in addressing these challenges. In the face of a changing climate and increasing awareness of environmental challenges, green affordable housing has risen to prominence as a responsible and vital necessity for creating a more sustainable world. The urgency to reduce carbon footprints and mitigate the impact of climate change has prompted the construction industry to re-evaluate its practices and adopt eco-friendly solutions. At the forefront of this movement are AAC blocks and other sustainable construction practices that offer a compelling path toward a better future.
(The author is co-founder and managing director, Magicrete. Views expressed are personal and not necessarily that of financialexpress.com)