April 5, 2011

Costa Rica Eco Communities Seeming To Prosper

All of a sudden Costa Rica Eco projects are popping up all over the landscape as the notion of Costa Rica Green plants its roots forcibly in the earthy soil here. Costa Rica is one of only four states that have set the point of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2030, a formidable goal that seems to be getting a hand up from made gringos with a Green conscience. Costa Rica Eco development is still not inexpensive, the standard costs of construction can be up to 25 percent higher than conventional techniques however these bright folks are aware that this is an investment as maintenance costs over time will pay great dividends and more than make up for the extra up-front costs.
While most people think of eco and green development projects as revolving around solar panels, whitewater treatment and recycled materials, green construction actually starts and is most critical in the planning phases. For example using a patio overhang on the south east and west facing portions of the house can eliminate a lot of the penetrating sun reducing cooling cost. This attractive outside living area is particularly workable here in Costa Rica where the temperature is always inside a particularly snug range. Bottom line, it isn’t cold here. Not only does this save in long-term cooling costs and it reduces the materials required for assembling beautiful living areas.

Another terribly important factor in planning is considering prevailing breezes at various times of the year and the suns position thru the course of the seasons. You would be astounded by what quantity of people forget this. By becoming aware of these eco minded issues you can plan to use existing tree cover and plan plantings to take maximum advantage of natural shade and cross breezes.

Another huge element in planning is ceiling height and window placements. High ceilings have a natural cooling effect particularly when used in conjunction with lighter colors. Windows in a green project have the twofold use of providing cooling but also in keeping moisture and fungus out during the rainy season. Abundant windows are a cheap methodology for cooling and light production in your new place. The brighter and cooler your eco project the less light and dear cooling apparatus are required.

Recycled materials are now getting more available in Costa Rica. Roofing materials particularly became energy-efficient and beautiful to boot. The kicker is now many are made of recycled material. Dennis Easters and Gerardo Porras are two unique developers in the Atenas area a rapidly growing retirement destination according to the AARP. Mr. Easters and Mr. Porras are the developers of two ne eco projects in Costa Rica. They are unique in the undeniable fact that the developers plan to keep complete control of the developing and building of the project to keep it eco friendly. They’ll work with the consumers on aesthetics of course but they have a commitment to keeping Costa Rica Green, a bold gamble when millions of bucks are at stake but they feel that strongly about their vision. Their two projects are La Antigua del Valle- a 6 lot eco-development with Spanish colonial design, and Las Brisas del Valle- an eight lot eco-development with unsurpassed perspectives of the Central Valley.

The final analysis is that with the assistance of green minded investors Costa Rica Eco projects are planting firm roots in Costa Rica.

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