Project teams are encouraged to use the EDGE Buildings Advisor for technical questions before contacting edge@ifc.org. It is regularly updated with the latest guidance and information based on frequently asked questions.
IFC has a simplified approach to help owners of self-built affordable homes to achieve green standards through its EDGE certification system.
In developing countries, self-built affordable housing forms an important part of affordable housing segment. Often these houses are built to low construction standards providing no thermal comfort and higher electricity and water bills. IFC has a simplified approach to help owners of self-built affordable homes to achieve green standards through its EDGE certification system. This is achieved in partnership with Financial Institutions who can guide the homeowners and help get the homes certified at a low cost.
Green Self-built homes are individual houses constructed by the owners for their own use and are EDGE Certified.
Approach any of the home loan providers listed below
Start buying the products / equipment and implement technical requirements as guided by home loan provider
Take photographs of evidence during construction as per requirement
Share the photos and receipts with the home loan provider staff
EDGE certificate is awarded for your home on compliance with requirements
Please check with the FI on financial / non-financial benefits provided for green certification through EDGE.
Your monthly electricity bill can be reduced by about 20%
e.g. Kasturi Devi in Nagpur is now saving Rs. 300 per month, which she uses to buy medicines.
Your home may have lower temperatures inside even during summers
e.g. Prakashji in Jodhpur is now living a comfortable life by using high efficiency fans.
Where work, study and health is not disrupted due to irregular supply
e.g. Manoharji in Raipur is now at ease inside the house even if there are power cuts.
Reduce wastage of energy water and materials
e.g. Mala Devi in Bengaluru is less dependent on water tankers by using less water.
Not all measures will be applicable to all green homes. Therefore, the user should reach out to their respective financial institution to confirm the measures applicable for their green homes.
Use wall materials other than common red brick to build your external and internal walls.
Construct the roof using stone slabs. Steel rafters/beams/girders can be used as support for the stone slabs.
All slabs such as intermediate floor slabs and roof slabs are to be constructed with filler slab construction technique.
All windows, except those facing North direction, must have shading devices.
All roof/terraces of the house must have either White tiles (or white China mosaic) or White paint.
All showerheads installed in the bathrooms of the house must not exceed a flow rate of 5 litres per minute.
All living rooms and bedrooms must be installed with BEE-5 Star rated OR with BLDC ceiling fans.
All bathroom, living/dining room taps, washbasin taps, and kitchen taps must have aerators installed or must not exceed a flow rate of 5 litres per minute.
Install dual flush tanks in all the toilets in the house.
Install/construct a rainwater harvesting tank of 1000 litre capacity.
Install a Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) panel of minimum 250-Watt peak (Wp) capacity.
Install a Solar water heater with a minimum storage capacity of 100 litres.
Disclaimer: Not all measures will be applicable to all green homes. Therefore, the user should reach out to their respective Housing Finance Companies to confirm the measures applicable for their green homes.
Use wall materials other than common red brick to build your external and internal walls.
Coming soon
AAC Block Construction:
Construct the roof using stone slabs. Steel rafters/beams/girders can be used as support for the stone slabs.
To keep the indoors cooler
Lay the stone slabs on steel rafters/beams/girders to construct the roof
Take an expert's guidance (Architect/Engineer) for construction of Stone Slabs
All slabs such as intermediate floor slabs and roof slabs are to be constructed with filler slab construction technique.
To reduce the load on structure and keep the indoors cooler
Use filler materials such as clay pots, mangalore tiles, Coconut shells, thermocol/styrofoam blocks, stabilized mud blocks, terracotta tiles, and waste bottles.
Take an expert's guidance (Architect/Engineer) for construction of Filler Slab
All windows, except those facing North direction, must have shading devices.
Coming soon
All roof/terraces of the house must have either White tiles (or white China mosaic) or White paint.
White Paint/Tiles or Reflective Paint/Tiles or install China Mosaic
Coming soon
All showerheads installed in the bathrooms of the house must not exceed a flow rate of 5 litres per minute.
Buy low flow showerheads or flow restrictors
All living rooms and bedrooms must be installed with BEE-5 Star rated OR with BLDC ceiling fans.
Purchase at least 5-star BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) labeled fans with a maximum of 50-watt power. Higher the star, lower the electricity bills.
Coming soon
Coming soon
All bathroom, living/dining room taps, washbasin taps, and kitchen taps must have aerators installed or must not exceed a flow rate of 4 litres per minute.
Buy taps with aerators or flow restrictor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Install dual flush tanks in all the toilets in the house.
Install/construct a rainwater harvesting tank of 1000 litre capacity.
Coming soon
Install a Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) panel of minimum 250-Watt peak (Wp) capacity.
Coming soon
Install a Solar water heater with a minimum storage capacity of 100 liters.
Coming soon