Realtors focus on green themes

Green housing is no more just another catchy phrase among property developers and builders to lure buyers. It has gone on to become a key component for some of the players in the field.

In fact, more and more builders are now focusing on the long-term benefits of energy-efficient buildings and taking help of architects for their construction. While some of the fundamental points remain water harvesting and waste management, another practice is gaining momentum is the lighting of common areas based on solar energy. Although green housing is not very cost-friendly at the moment, energy conservation experts say the cost will fall by more than 20 per cent as demand picks up and technology advances.

At present, the penetration of green infrastructure in India is just about three per cent.

Last week, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) and The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri) signed an MoU to develop designs and build capacity in the sector of energy efficiency. “We would lend plan guidelines to Hudco,” says Teri director Mili Majumdar. “That will include site planning, energy-saving materials, equipment and appliances and water recycling. We have projects totalling seven million square metres. They are now going green.”

Hudco, on its part, says it will construct only energy-efficient buildings that would have a minimum of a three-star rating. Green housing developers are sensing better business. The NCR’s 3C Company says it is focusing on insulated walls and roof, and use of high-performance glass in their projects so as to enable it to minimise the energy loads. The constructions also aimed at water conservation, material efficiency and waste management, says Brijesh Bhanote, the firm’s director (sales and marketing).

“These sustainable developments use far less natural resources and energy in the manner in which they are built,” he adds. “They are also more durable, and require less maintenance.”

The Haryana government gives incentives for green buildings and has set up norms for the builders. “It is a good concept,” notes Naredco, a real estate association.

“It will pick up fast in the country,” says its director-general R R Singh. Puri Constructions, which has projects in Gurgaon, is spreading the green theme mandated by the Haryana government. “We have solar panels, water-harvesting facility and heat insulated windows that cut down the load on the air-conditioners,” says its director, Arjun Puri.

However, energy-efficient housing may not be on everyone’s buy list due to the relatively high cost, cautions

C Shekhar Reddy, vice-president, Credai, another real estate association.

Chandrashekar Hariharan, co-chairman, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), however, argues that one can, on investing Rs 40 lakh to construct a house, wisely spend opt for devices such as wind solar system and other energy efficient appliances.

“By building a green house, one can become independent of grid supply,” he adds. Majumdar agrees. The high cost is just a perception, she notes. “The end-user cost comes down by efficiently using the resources.”

As for 3C’s Bhanote, he notes that his firm’s projects are priced between Rs 4,000-5,000 per sq ft. “The cost of maintenance in a sustainable building (like Green Boulevard) is Rs 19 per sq ft, as against Rs 22.50-23 in a 24-hour operational conventional building.”

Hariharan says the continuous rise in the prices of non-renewable resources like electricity and petrol will drive people towards the energy-efficient ways of living. How about converting a conventional house into a green house? That, he notes, “can be a bit problematic”.