The word “green” has become quite the buzzword to the world of home, design, commercial industry, and infrastructure. You can almost see the word “green” from local products, devices/equipment, ads to homes and real estate developers in the Philippines.

Defining Green Living

Green living is no longer a vague term associated only with environmentalists. Almost every major influencer in our society (from manufacturers and mass communication networks) are using the term to promote products and attract audiences. Being green is a welcoming lifestyle that companies, individuals, or families choose so that every action or response they do bears minimises impact on our environment. Hence, most property developers in the Philippines are focusing to improve more about this growing lifestyle.

Green living is also more accessible as most families can now add more energy-efficient devices to their homes. Of course, people go green for different reasons; for some of them, it is just a common-sense solution for saving more money.

With the global concern for the environment and pressure given to commercial industries, it seems like going ‘green’ is where the world is heading forward. Along with the growing trend of green-living, a condominium is also becoming an option for most millennials in the context of housing choice. With this, most real estate and land developers in the Philippines are incorporating greener sustainability to the standard of modern living in the world that is becoming environmentally conscious.

Essentials For A Greener Condo Living

As the popularity of condo-living grows, there are standards for eco-friendly living, but the term “green” is becoming a universal definition beyond being a combination of yellow and blue. So how does a consumer know when a home builder or land developer is called “green” and is built with an ecological and sustainable focus? What makes a condo-living ‘green’?

·        Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency simply means; the efficiency to perform a task with less or minimal energy consumption. A majority of sustainability-focused property developers in the Philippines are aiming to integrate more energy-efficient appliances for condos and home units via the latest appliances and solar-powered infrastructures.

Refrigerators, air conditioners, TV, heaters and all other appliances within the condo home should be within the highest standard in energy efficiency. Also, home appliances should have a ‘sleep’ mode for lesser power consumption. In addition to that, LED light bulbs should replace compact fluorescent lights since LED lights have the least demand for electricity. Not only does it serve to be more eco-friendly, but it also saves you more money by paying less for monthly electricity bills.

·        Water-saving technology

Water-saving technology is among the crucial aspects of greener and sustainable living. Manufacturing industries and real-estate developers in the Philippines are also pushing for water-conserving methods and technologies for minimal water consumption needs since conserving water also means saving more money and the environment.

Low-water toilets with various flush options are becoming mandatory. These options allow you to have a more efficient way to flush solid waste as liquid waste becomes more conservative to flush. Faucets, showers, washing machines and dishwashers can also be equipped or replaced with water-saving devices without compromising their functionality and features.

·        Green furniture

Furniture is among the most vital components for every home living. Furniture completes the design aspect of our home and helps improve the quality of living with appliances by adding comfort and relaxation. With green furniture, it added more advantages in terms of style and environmental sustainability, and it’s more than just a marketing ‘term.’ The best condo developers in the Philippines aren’t about having the best costly furniture.

Green furniture is made from recycled materials, and it’s toxic-free and safe, unlike other furniture, which materials are hazardous to our health. They are cost-effective and cost-efficient to produce, hence purchasing green furniture helps support manufacturers that use recycling methods for producing furniture – it lessens waste products and converts or transforms them back into new products with new purposes. To support the cause, several properties and real-estate developers in the Philippines are using and promoting green furniture to clients.

·        Gardens

Gardens have a purpose beyond providing relaxation and adding beauty to residences. It is also good for the environment. Most spaces in a condo and other commercial infrastructure are giving more indoor and outdoor spaces for gardening landscapes. From vertical gardening layout to hanging and attached plants, there are various options for most home or residential zones to incorporate gardening to add more greener touch and life no matter how big or small your space can be.

·        Increased insulation

Some of the standards for ecologically minded homes include better or increased insulation. Why does it matter? Every home insulation should pass the minimum local requirement to be more energy efficient. You can enhance insulation by installing insulated flooring, ceiling and walls – which is why property management companies in the Philippines are giving attention to increasing insulation apart from designs. Windows can also increase insulation with better-designed ones that are more ‘green.’

·        Use of non-toxic materials

Beyond energy efficiency, water-saving technology, and other mentioned “green living” components, the use of non-toxic materials is crucial in “green” residentials. Every residential space should have low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints. The best condo developers in the Philippines don’t only adhere to the best possible designs. They are also conscious of providing the safest environment design for condo living.

VOC are toxins that are hazardous for health since they can cause eye irritation, nausea, and breathing difficulty when inhaled. Lighter pigments signify low VOC paint. Hence many choose whiter walls and ceilings are among the design trends in modern homes and infrastructures since they are not only simple but healthier compared to other trendy colours.

The Bottom Line

Greener real estate is becoming a thing, not only for cutting out carbon footprints and conserving the environment, but also to provide the best possible improvement for quality of life in a non-destructive way.

Most property developers in the Philippines are focusing on sustainability since it offers a way to innovate more for more efficient and healthier living. Other firms can take note of these initiatives to take a step further in having a total sustainable industry-wide performance at a large scale to address the global concern for the environment. It’s for the good of us and the Earth that we called; “home.”

If you’re looking for property management companies in the Philippines, Arthaland is a real-estate developer that combines local and industrial standards by focusing on better designs and sustainability.