With heat waves becoming more frequent and intense, keeping your home at a pleasant temperature is no longer just a matter of comfort. The thermal insulation of properties is also related to health, quality of life and electricity consumption.
In search of solutions to this challenge, construction professionals have invested in more sustainable materials and techniques.
In São José do Rio Preto (SP), alternatives such as EPS, popularly known as Styrofoam, and ecological bricks have been gaining ground in projects. In addition to contributing to the thermal comfort of environments, these materials can reduce waste and reduce the amount of waste generated during construction.
A house built with EPS sheets in the city is an example of this technology. Once ready, the difference in relation to a conventional construction practically does not appear. This is because the finishing is done with mortar, just like in other properties.
EPS can be used in different ways, depending on the project and construction system. In certain situations, technology can represent savings of up to 30% in the cost of the work.
A factory in Rio Preto has been working with this type of material since the 1980s. In the production process, the plates receive a steel mesh, which integrates the system used in construction.
Businessman Otávio de March follows market developments and highlights the increase in demand for the material over the years.
"At the time, we built two to three houses a year with this material. Nowadays, we produce up to 30 houses a year with this type of material. It was a change in people's behavior and knowledge", he says.
In addition to thermal insulation, the system allows parts to be produced in the measurements necessary for each project, facilitating assembly and avoiding waste. Leftovers can also be reused, reducing the disposal of construction waste into the environment.
Another alternative used by architects is ecological bricks. The holes present in the pieces form air pockets, which contribute to the thermoacoustic performance of the buildings. The system can also reduce the need for hardware, depending on the characteristics of the project.
Architect Marcelo Cury explains that the choice of materials can make a difference not only in the comfort of residents, but also in the amount of waste produced during the work.
"In a recent project, for a house with 218 square meters, the initial forecast was to use 60 buckets for disposing of construction waste. With the adoption of sustainable solutions, this volume was reduced to just ten. It is a masonry designed to improve the quality of life and also help the environment", explains the architect.
The project also prioritizes air circulation and natural lighting. With more airy and well-lit environments, the need to use air conditioning and lamps during the day decreases, which can mean savings on your energy bill.
Sustainability also generates income for women in Penápolis
Sustainability can also be a tool for social transformation. In Penápolis, in the region of Araçatuba (SP), a project by the municipal water and sewage authority combines the conservation of public spaces with the generation of income for families in situations of social vulnerability.
Created in 2021 by (DAEP), Projeto Sol, Solidarity Sanitation Program, offers job opportunities for residents. Work is organized into flexible working hours, according to the availability of each person and the demands of the municipality. Participants receive a monthly allowance of R$722.
Flexibility allows women to balance the activity with other professional and family commitments. This is the case of Edilene Santos, who works as a nurse and takes advantage of her days off to participate in the project.
"I work at Santa Casa on a 12x36 scale, so every other day I'm free. So, I took on this commitment to help with my income. It's been really good", he says.
The majority of vacancies are occupied by women, many of them mothers who need to balance family care and other professional activities with the search for additional income.
In addition to the financial benefit, the project contributes to the conservation of the city and encourages the population's participation in the care of collective spaces.
How to participate
Registration to participate in Projeto Sol is free. Opportunities are made available throughout the year, depending on the municipality’s demand and the availability of vacancies. It is necessary to follow the public call periods and register in person.
Location: DAEP Headquarters (Avenida Adelino Peters, nº 217).
Opening hours: 8am to 4pm/5pm
