In recent years, the paradigm has shifted and ‘going green’ is no longer just a trendy tag line; it has become the standard when building in Cayman.
Innovative geothermal and solar technologies are now available in Cayman and are being integrated into residential and commercial properties. In addition, Cayman is one of the countries outside of the USA where LEED – a green building certification programme – for homes is available, thanks to local company GreenTech Group.
If you are thinking about designing and building a green home, consider the following steps:
- Find a design-builder who has proven experience with green homes in Cayman;
- Use key building products like Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) such as Fox Blocks which are manufactured here locally, Spray Foam Insulation, low VOC’s materials and finishes, Impact/Insulated windows, Watersense rated plumbing and Energy Star rated appliances;
- Own your own energy. With the growing demand for alternative energy sources, utilise solar energy in your home from companies like GreenTech Solar, the exclusive dealer for SunPower and Tesla. Alternatively, try a Geothermal cooling system. Companies like GeoCayman can help you cool your home much more efficiently than traditional air conditioning systems – saving you substantial energy and money.
Geothermal Cooling Systems
Unlike common central air conditioning systems that distribute cool air through heated gas and refrigerants, Geothermal cooling systems are known to have lower operational costs and last up to 10 years longer than conventional A/C.
Geothermal cooling works by removing heat from your home and/or workplace building, which is then transferred to your water pipe systems buried beneath your house or in the yard. The result of this is a cooling ‘air conditioning’ type effect as a process of removing heat from the circulated air, transferring that heat back to your water systems in the ground, and then returning the newly cooled air back into your home.
In 2013, the NCB Group launched GeoCayman as an exclusive dealer of GeoComfort Geothermal systems. If you are looking to save on cooling costs by swapping to an energy-efficient system with a longer lifespan, GeoCayman can help:
Green Building Advice
Decoding all the green technical jargon can be a challenge for home owners, so getting sound professional advice is paramount to making solid decisions about what green systems will enhance your home and your businesses.
Fortunately, GreenTech Solar at A. L. Thompson’s has knowledgeable staff who can advise you on eco-friendly finishes, renewable energy, solar technology, and much more. They also work in close collaboration with Cayman’s LEED Certified contractors, the GreenTech Group.
Building Green Consultants
The following organisations can help you if you are looking to build a greener home in Cayman.
Please also refer to the Building a Home Overview page for more information.