Eco House A9828128
Mar 17, 2016
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...
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.