Environmental awareness has picked up pace over the years. People are now more aware of the damage done to the environment by different sources. The awareness has led to a change of mindset and some major industries have taken initiatives to play their part in environmental sustainability. The eco-friendly wave has also taken over the property market with the introduction of environmentally friendly properties.
Net-zero energy properties are a shining example of the property market’s interest towards a sustainable future. We will do a detailed overview of net-zero energy buildings in the UAE and see how they contribute to the environment.
What are Net-Zero Energy Buildings?
As the name suggests, net-zero energy buildings are eco-friendly properties. These properties are powered by renewable resources such as wind or solar power. The total energy used by these buildings is entirely produced using renewable resources – thus making these buildings environment-friendly.
Additionally, net-zero energy buildings have no emissions as no harmful object is used for energy production. The government also takes a keen interest to encourage people to use sustainable energy options such as solar energy for homes in the UAE.
Characteristics of Net-Zero Energy Buildings
Net-zero energy buildings also differ from other types of properties in the UAE in terms of construction. For net-zero energy building construction, builders usually use laminated timber instead of concrete and steel. Moreover, the overall construction process includes the use of low-carbon materials.
A large number of windows is also the highlight in net-zero energy buildings. These buildings have many windows to ensure proper ventilation. This eliminates or diminishes the use of air-conditioners and heaters. Furthermore, net-zero energy properties usually have energy-efficient lighting like LED lights.
Net-Zero Energy Buildings in the UAE
The UAE government plays its part to mitigate climate change effects and contribute towards a sustainable future. The UAE was among the 195 countries to sign the Paris Agreement in 2015. The agreement had the objective to promote environment-friendly initiatives by eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and limiting the hike of global temperature to 1.5 degrees.
Speaking of initiatives, the many smart city sustainable projects in the UAE show how the country is progressing towards a sustainable future. That said, let’s take a look at some net-zero energy buildings in the UAE and find out how these eco-friendly units stand out.
Net-Zero Energy Buildings in Dubai
The city of gold is not short of state-of-the-art buildings by any means. Let’s explore the net-zero energy building examples in the UAE starting with the ones in Dubai.
AL SHERA’A BUILDING
Al Shera’a building will be the new headquarters for Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The government organisation encourages and promotes sustainable living. For instance, the DEWA smart living initiative is the government entity’s step towards promoting sustainable development.
Al Shera’a building is all set to become the tallest and largest government net zero energy building in the UAE and around the world. With an area of over 2 million square feet, Al Shera’a will have over 20,000 square metres of photovoltaic solar panels. The building will produce equal to or an excess of the required energy per year.
UNIVERSITY OF DUBAI CAMPUS
The University of Dubai International City campus was the second university to become Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. The campus was also the first in the region to get this certification.
The University of Dubai International City campus houses a solar power project. The solar project eliminates the need for batteries to store energy. The project is said to save 34k litres of water and decrease about 2040 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Net-Zero Energy Buildings in Abu Dhabi
When talking about the net-zero energy buildings in the UAE, the capital city of Abu Dhabi isn’t left behind. Let’s take a look at some net-zero energy buildings in Abu Dhabi.
MASDAR CITY SQUARE PROJECT (MC2)
This is also among the LEED-certified projects in the UAE. The entire project consists of 7 buildings built with green construction certifications. The sustainable project will not use any energy in addition to what it produces.
Browse through these interesting Abu Dhabi real estate facts to discover some more eco-friendly projects in the city.
ECO-VILLA PROJECT
Abu Dhabi has multiple options when it comes to luxury living. For instance, luxury projects like Jubail Island among many more. However, the Eco-villa project provides eco-friendly luxury living.
Located in Masdar City, the Eco-villa project uses 35% less water and 72% less energy. Additionally, the villa is said to displace about 63 tons of carbon dioxide per year – more than any other villa in the region.
This brings us to the end of our list of net-zero energy buildings in the UAE. As the world moves towards smart living, net-zero energy buildings can be a viable option to help the environment.
The UAE plans to go fully green in the years to come. The Dubai 2040 urban master plan shows how the government intends to achieve its green living and environmental sustainability targets.
With eco-friendly housing gaining fame, we can expect to see more of such projects. Furthermore, if you wish to buy or rent a home in an eco-friendly community or area, check out the following:
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s property blog for information about sustainable living projects and more.
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