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Unfortunately the term "ecohouse" is not quite defined by the level of energy savings or carbon reduction. The question will be answered with the assumption that an Ecohouse is a house that has reduced energy use, possibly renewable energy technology integrated, uses materials that are either recycled, reused, or from renewable sources, etc. People build Ecohouses because they have a concern for any or all of the situations listed below. OUR HEALTH: Many building materials manufactured, not to mention other things like furniture and kitchen cleaning supplies, are loaded with elements that are unsafe in our living environment. There are safer options out there: do the research and use them. Additionally, reuse of materials or use of materials close to home cuts out unnecessary transport of materials. Diesel trucks carrying building materials all of the place contributes many harmful particulates, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other gases that are very harmful to the health of people. THE HEALTH OF THE ENVIRONMENT: This one is huge and there are so many elements connected to this such as using wood that is from "properly" managed forests, reducing grid electricity use, etc. Reducing electricity use minimizes the use of coal power plants that are responsible for massive amounts of CO2 emissions which contribute to climate change and the health of the communities that have to breath in the air around power plants. Additionally, coal is taken from mountains in Appalachia (in the US for example) in a way that is disrespectful to the land forms, wildlife, water sources, and communities around these areas that considered the mountain their scenic view or the water their drinking water. Again transport is also another issue in the CO2 accumulation problem in the atmosphere. ENERGY SECURITY: Oil, coal, uranium, water are all finite resources that must be minimized in use. Obviously there is no need to explain where oil comes from and why most western countries need to sever the dependence on foreign oil (energy sources). Minimize energy use by using better insulation, more high tech windows (with better insulating values) (be careful, window types vary in relevance whether you are avoiding too much heat gain or loss), proper orientation of the building on the site (this allows the proper use of the sun to heat and light the spaces of the house so that less artificial heat and light will be used) Efficient appliances, and lights. Please research these subjects further because they are all linked in many ways and very important. Build Eco or whatever you want to call it. It is building smart. It is the only way to build to protect the people you love and the environment (including the clean water we drink) that we all take for granted.

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16y ago

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