Eco-housing ProjectEnergy should be conserved since we are
consuming too much energy and that day is not far when all our
Non-Renewable resources will expire forcing us to rely just on
Renewable Sources. The electricity that we use comes from nuclear
power, coal power plants and hydroelectricity plants. Oil that we
use to run our vehicles are fossil fuels that were created million
of years ago from decaying plants. When burned they release CO2
which is harmful to humans and the environment. Apart from this it
also helps us to save money, lessens the environmental and social
impacts associated with energy production and consumption. These
include air pollution, acid rain and global warming, oil spills and
water pollution, loss of wilderness areas, and construction of new
power plants. Energy conservation extends the lifetime of equipment
and reduces the maintenance cost by operating less hours and at
less than maximum capacity.
Task 1 due TuesdayGo home tonight and research a range of
different eco-houses. Think about the materials that have been used
in building the house.
What are the walls made from? What are the windows made from?
Are they large or small? What is the roof made from? Where are they
getting light from? Where does their rubbish go?
Brainstorm some ideas of how these houses cut down on the amount
of energy they need to run them.
Here are some websites to get you started:
http://hybridhomes.co.nz/http://www.ebode.co.nz/http://www.ecobob.co.nz/http://www.ehaus.co.nz/http://www.energywise.govt.nz/
Task 2 In groups of 4, your task now is to design and build an
eco-house. Focus on the following three main ideas: Energy creation
Preventing energy waste (light and heat) Saving water and reducing
rubbishOn Tuesday:Write down ways your house will reduce energy
waste, get rid of rubbish and waste and water. Draw what your house
will look like and list down the materials that you will need in
order to complete it. On Wednesday & Thursday:You will have 2
periods to build and finish your house and evaluate how it turned
out. You will need to write, as a group, how your house is
eco-friendly. Think about things like: The materials youve used
where do they come from? Do they insulate? How the house is powered
What happens to waste products The natural environment vegetables?
Lots of forest? How you keep the house cool and warm
