Eco HouseA9828128

Chapter 1

Build smart, build green

Building an energy efficient, distinct,

low maintenance Eco House in

Greece has never been easier, or more

affordable, than it is today. A home

constructed with durable,

environmentally friendly materials not

only creates a healthy living

environment, but can also

significantly decrease dependence

on traditional energy sources and

cut utility costs by up to 75

percent.

Overview

more...

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Customized applications to fit your needs

Designed and built to meet the specific needs and

budget of each client, an Eco House is carefully

constructed using the latest in green technology and

installation techniques. Customizable at every stage of

the build, an Eco House offers clients the flexibility to

choose from a variety of sustainable products and

applications.An Eco House is designed to surpass newly

implemented Greek building energy performance

standards and this high level of efficiency also

significantly increases the home’s resale value. The

benefits of an Eco House are significant, and as the

price of fossil fuels continue to skyrocket, this

important investment will continue to pay for itself

for years to come.

Section 1

Features and options

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The durability and strength of an Eco House begins

with its lightweight galvanized steel frame, used in

conjunction with an Exterior Insulation and Finishing

System (EIFS) on the exterior walls of the house. This

combination of materials offers countless benefits

nearly impossible to achieve with more traditional

methods of construction.

Section 2

The structure

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Steel construction is:•Cost effective. Steel construction costs approximately

15 to 20 percent less than building with more dated,

traditional methods such as concrete, brick and rigid

marble dust plaster.

•Fast. In the traditional poured cement form method of

construction, which is commonly utilized in Greece,

the need for curing cement in between stages of

construction adds additional months of time to the

entire building process. Because steel construction

does not utilize any concrete beyond the foundation of

the building, a steel structure takes approximately one

third of the time to complete.

•Energy-saving. The energy needed to heat or cool an

Eco House is up to four times less than a structure built

with insulation sandwiched between two layers of brick

– a common building practice in Greece.

•High durability and low maintenance. Utilizing the

EIFS application on the outside of an Eco House creates

a virtually impenetrable barrier, ensuring that water,

humidity and other external elements are kept from

penetrating the completed structure. This means less re-

painting of interior and exterior walls (the average

home only needs one coat of exterior paint every

15-20 years) and protection against unhealthy

elements, such as mold, from entering the home.

•Precise and aesthetically pleasing construction.

Building with steel allows for the design of large living

spaces, featuring perfectly straight walls finished with

drywall and plumb vertical surfaces. Utility wires and

piping (electrical and plumbing) are hidden within the

walls where they belong.

•Environmentally friendly. The steel building process

leaves a smaller carbon footprint than traditional

construction methods because the materials used

require far less energy to manufacture and transport.

Steel is also the most recycled material in the world,

and the additional materials and products used to

complete an Eco House are also easily recyclable.

•Safe. S teel const ruct ion has been s t rongly

recommended for earthquake affected areas, such as

Zakynthos. Galvanized steel is lightweight, and this

means less movement of the mass of the building

during a seismic event. Each steel structure is

guaranteed and built according to Greek and European

guidelines.

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An Eco House also includes a choice of high-efficiency

TÜV certified aluminum or PVC windows, both fitted

with low energy loss glass.

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•Solar power and clean burning propane gas hybrid

heating system. Generating energy from the sun, this

high efficiency heating system works to heat the home

as well as provide hot water year round, cutting overall

fuel consumption by 50 percent. (standard in every Eco

House)

•In-floor heating system. One of the most energy

efficient ways to heat an Eco House is with a radiant

floor heating system. In-floor heating systems are not

only eco-friendly and more efficient than traditional

radiator heating systems, they also provide more living

space and create a healthier indoor environment.

When installed in a home, in-floor heating systems can

yield an energy savings of 25 to 30 percent. (standard

in every Eco House)

•Geothermal heating and cooling system. Working in

harmony with the environment, a low maintenance

geothermal system can cut your monthly energy bills

by up to 80 percent. (optional application)

•Central heating and cooling system. A central heating

and cooling system is designed to circulate air to

different parts of an Eco House through air channels.

This system is energy efficient and aesthetically

pleasing because the machinery and channels are

As much as half of the energy used in a building is

consumed by its heating and cooling system, and

those costs can quickly add up. An Eco House

already offers a considerable reduction in heating

and cooling costs based on the unique design of its

structure alone, but additional applications are

available to increase this energy efficiency even

more.

Section 3

Heating and cooling

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hidden within the walls of the house. (optional

a p p l i c a t i o n ) An Eco House is also available with an air exchanger or

geothermal fresh air intake unit, which further improve

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Installing a sun panel system on the roof of an Eco

House can generate additional tax-free income when the

solar energy produced by the panels is sold directly back

to the power grid. Currently under this program,

individuals in Greece are allowed to install a system that

generates up to 7,400 euros in revenue per year for

twenty five years.

Photovoltaic systems can not only provide an additional

source of income, they also conserve natural resources,

are high efficiency and easy to maintain.

The advancement of photovoltaic technology can

provide Eco House owners with the opportunity to

transform their buildings into clean energy

generating enterprises.

Section 4

Photovoltaic systems

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The finishing products used in an Eco House are of the highest quality and durability. Included below is a list of finishing products

that come standard with construction as well as available upgrades.

Section 5

Finishing

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Low consumption lighting.

An Eco House features low consumption lighting, which

provides a significant savings in energy costs. Energy efficient

compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) have a lifespan of up

6,000 hours and 10,000 on/off, and come standard with every

Eco House. To further decrease electricity consumption and

maintenance, light emitting diode (LED) lighting systems also

available. Each LED bulb offers a lifespan of up to

40,000-50,000 hours and 100,000 on/off.

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Gas oven and hob.

Gas ovens are approximately 50 percent more efficient than electric ovens and less expensive to operate. High

efficiency gas clothes dryers are also available.

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H a r d - w e a r i n g wa t e r- b a s e d p a i n t s .

Environmentally friendly and Blue Angel

rated, the paints used in an Eco House are

properly pigmented and long lasting.

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Biological sewage treatment system.

A sewage treatment system removes contaminants from household wastewater

and delivers environmentally- safe water back into the water table. An upgrade

is available to this system, which further treats the water making it safe to

irrigate plants and grass.

Heavy-duty Pex and PPR pipes.

Unlike more traditional pipe materials such as copper, Pex pipes (made of crosslinked polyethylene) are

resistant to electrolysis, calcium build up and offer more insulation of hot water. PPR pipes, used for drainage,

offer sound insulation and increased durability in comparison to more commonly used PVC pipes.

Inverter water pump.

Creating stable water pressure, an inverter-

equipped water pump can save 200 to 300 euros

per year in electricity consumption.