Green Homes Can Save 30% In Energy Consumption: Experts

Hyderabad: Green homes could cut water and energy bills by 30 per cent and help reduce carbon emissions significantly by 2030, according to B Sunil Chandra Reddy, former president of Naredco Telangana, a real estate body, and MD, Sunil Estates Private Limited.

Participating in a discussion on green homes as a sustainable solution to urban living as part of the HMTV Business Summit 2024 here on Saturday, he highlighted the urgency of adopting sustainable practices. “Extreme weather conditions are a consequence of mankind’s mistreatment of Earth,” he said.

The session focused on ‘Green Homes’, emphasising affordability and sustainability with active participation from stakeholders, including prominent speakers and delegates.

Moderated by Anand Muthukrishnan, Deputy Executive Director of CII IGBC, the session began with an address by V Rajasekhar Reddy, president, Credai Hyderabad.

Anand Muthukrishnan highlighted the city’s pivotal role in promoting green solutions, citing the city as home to the Indian Green Building Council’s headquarters. “The growing demand for eco-friendly homes is well-catered here, with numerous counsellors offering solutions,” he noted. He also underscored city’s clean skies - a stark contrast to Delhi’s pollution-stricken atmosphere. “Delegates from Delhi remarked they could see blue skies here, a rarity in the national capital,” Anand added, expressing hope for Hyderabad as a hub for sustainable living.

Rajasekhar Reddy drew attention to Telangana’s significant urban population, with 47 per cent residing in cities. He emphasised the advantages of green homes, such as reduced power and water usage, lower carbon emissions, and significant health benefits. “Green homes save on maintenance costs, provide ample natural light, and combat health issues like Vitamin D deficiency, even in a sunlit country like India,” he stated.

Venugopal Rao from My Homes enriched the discussion with a detailed presentation on categorising green homes based on the five elements of nature - earth, air, water, light, and sky. He urged developers to integrate these ‘panchabhoothas’ into home designs, ensuring harmony between architecture and nature.

Chaitra, COO of RV Nirman, stressed consumers' increasing demand for green homes, emphasising education on eco-friendly benefits such as reduced energy and water bills. “Developers are responding to this demand while keeping consumer needs at the forefront,” she remarked.

Ramesh from IBN brought a cultural perspective, citing ancient Indian temples and traditional homes as benchmarks for sustainable design. “In the past, natural light illuminated homes until evening. Today, artificial lighting dominates our 24-hour cycles,” he lamented, urging a return to eco-conscious practices.

The session concluded with a consensus on the importance of green homes for healthier, cost-effective, and sustainable urban living.