Rust is a process that occurs when oxygen and moisture contact exposed metal. With the settlement of moisture in dents, and with an increase in the contact period, rust is formed. Rusting is intensified with high temperatures and increased humidity, and leads to a deterioration in the metal used for building construction. 

Formation Of Rust 

Rust, which is technically known as oxidation, is the process that results when there is an interactionn between oxygen and various metals for an extended time period. The oxygen and metal combine at an atomic level creating a new compound termed an oxide, and the metal bonds are weakened.

When iron or steel are the base metal, then the rust formed is called iron oxide (and similarly rusted aluminum is called aluminum oxide). Iron and steel are apparently hard in appearance, but the minute ruptures and pits in the exposed metal facilitate the penetration of water molecules, and rust is formed.

Rusting is an electrochemical process that is commenced with the move of electrons from iron to oxygen, and the process is expedited in salt water. With the passage of time, and availability of water and oxygen, an iron body will be converted into rust and be disintegrated.

Damage Due To Rust 

Rust is a serious issue, and unless taken seriously in the initial stages, may be uncontrollable and cause extensive damage by the deterioration, failure, or weakening of components or appliances. As the body is stained, the rust spreads to other parts of the body of the building if exposed to extreme moisture in the weather- and if appropriate rust prevention measures are not taken.

Electrical appliances and instruments may fail if the metallic parts are rusted since rust is a non-conductor of electricity. Similarly, the machines and equipment that use magnets may malfunction due to the inferior magnetic properties of rust.

Furthermore, since rust formation increases the volume of the initial iron mass, adjacent rusted parts may be forced apart, causing failure of the material. Rusting of iron in reinforced concrete bridges and buildings may be a source of serious structural problems that may be extremely dangerous, and also require huge expenditures for repairs.

Rust Prevention By Galvanization

Galvanization is an important metallurgical process for rust prevention that involves the application of a zinc layer, by electroplating or hot dip galvanizing, on the iron or steel object desired to be protected. In this process, iron or steel is dipped in melted zinc at a temperature at which there is a great similarity between these materials, and an alloy is formed, with a zinc coating at the exterior surface.

The coating of zinc protects the metal part object from oxidation and environmental effects like extreme temperatures, snow, wind, and rain. Zinc is used since its corrosion resistance characteristics are better than iron and steel, due to which it forms a physical obstruction against corrosion, and also shields the exposed steel if the zinc layer is damaged.

Galvanization is not successful at protecting joints and holes. However, it is widely used for the protection of iron and steel because it is economical, simple in use, and long lasting.

Energy Efficiency

It is very important to use energy efficient systems in our homes to protect our Earth and ourselves and to reduce costs.  Types of bulbs, electrical appliances and  wiring systems we use dictate the energy efficiency of our buildings. It is important to consult environmental engineers and qualified electricians to get maximum benefits in this regard.

Consider purchasing  renewable energy systems. What are they? Small solar electric systems, small wind electric systems, micro-hydropower systems, small hybrid electric systems (solar and wind).

Calculating your electricity needs is the first step in the process of investigating renewable energy systems for your home or small business. A thorough examination of your electricity needs helps you determine the following: the size (and therefore, cost) of the system you will need, how your energy needs fluctuate throughout the day and over the year, measures you can take to reduce your electricity use.

A qualified civil engineer or an electrician or an architect tells you these things:

There are many ways you can reduce electricity use in your home: 

Appliances and electronics - Purchase energy-efficient products and operate them efficiently.

Lighting:  

Use Natural Lighting

The harsh glare of fluorescent lighting is an unfortunate, albeit common, design choice in most modern offices. Fluorescent lighting can cause eye strain and headaches in sensitive individuals, and may negatively affect mood. Sunlight, on the other hand, seems to have a number of benefits; these benefits include boosting productivity and helping regulating of circadian rhythms.

Financially, too, natural lighting has significant benefits: sunlight is free, while electric lighting makes up anywhere from 25 to 40% of a typical building's energy usage. With these benefits in mind, architects have begun designing buildings to make maximum use of natural light from the sun. This includes using skylights and windows to maximize incident light, which replaces electric lighting. Increasingly, green buildings are incorporating light-sensing devices which turn off electric lighting when sunlight is suitably intense.

Purchase energy-efficient products, operate them efficiently, and incorporate more daylighting ( the use of windows and skylights to bring sunlight into your home) into your home using energy-efficient windows and skylights.

The best way to incorporate daylighting in your home depends on your climate and home's design. The sizes and locations of windows should be based on the cardinal directions rather than their effect on the street-side appearance of the house. For example:

• South-facing windows allow most winter sunlight into the home but little direct sun during the summer, especially when properly shaded
• North-facing windows admit relatively even, natural light, producing little glare and almost no unwanted summer heat gain
• East- and west-facing windows provide good daylight penetration in the morning and evening, respectively, but may cause glare, admit a lot of heat during the summer when it is usually not wanted, and contribute little to solar heating during the winter.

(But see that there are no obstructions for light or air to enter into your dwelling naturally before planning for doors or windows).

Natural Ventilation

Another way of saving on energy costs while promoting well-being of building occupants is to make use of natural ventilation. Engineers use either stack ventilation or wind ventilation to accomplish a feat that is normally performed by HVAC machinery. Wind-driven ventilation uses roof-mounted ventilation devices that derive air flow from wind pressure, minimizing resource usage. Stack ventilation, on the other hand, uses temperature-driven pressure differences. Stack ventilation is less common than wind-driven ventilation, though modern systems may use both to maximize efficiency. Proper development of wind ventilation systems (also called roof mounted ventilation) requires analysis of wind patterns using a CFD tool such as UrbaWind.

A skylight can provide your home with daylighting and ventilation. When properly selected and installed, an energy-efficient skylight can help minimize your heating, cooling, and lighting costs.

Recent developments in skylight design use sun-tracking, open-sided cylinders; large lens-like elements; or mirrored reflectors mounted adjacent to a conventional skylight to provide daylighting without daytime heat gain or nighttime heat loss. Such a skylight may connect to a mirrored pipe or "light pipe" with a diffusing lens that mounts on or is recessed into the ceiling of the room below. Most tubular skylights have this feature. These skylight designs do not, however, provide views or ventilation.

Skylights can provide ventilation as well as light. Ventilating a building with an operable skylight releases the hot air that naturally accumulates near the ceiling. Ventilating skylights usually open outward at the bottom, and some units vent through a small, hinged panel. Skylights may be opened manually with a pole, chain, or crank. Automated units with electric motors or pneumatic devices are also available. Some models incorporate moisture sensors to automatically close the skylight when it rains. Larger skylights that can be used as emergency exits are sometimes called "roof windows" and are located within a few feet of the floor.

Caution: Water proofing is a must while using skylights.

(Forget what your pundit says about them).

Electric space heating and cooling - Purchase energy-efficient electric systems (three-star to five-star in lay man terms) and operate them efficiently. Incorporate passive solar designs concepts into your home, which include using energy-efficient windows. Properly insulate and air seal your home. Select and energy efficient heating system that doesn't use electricity. 

Electric water heating-  Purchase an energy-efficient electric water heater and operate it efficiently. Or select an energy efficient water heater that doesn't use electricity.

Again architects and landscape planners have an important role to play here.Plants have a number of benefits in architecture. One of the most surprising is their psychological benefit: scientists have shown that workers in an office with plants have 12% higher productivity and significantly reduced stress compared to those in offices without plants. This effect comes just from looking at the plants, which seems to have a calming effect.

But plants have some powerful benefits beyond psychological ones. They help cool the air through a process called transpiration, which also helps maintain proper humidity levels. In fact, plants maintain a humidity range between 30 and 60%, which falls right into the ideal humidity for humans.

Buildings with large numbers of plants are able to save on operation and maintenance costs, since the plants are effectively taking the place of heavy machinery. In fact, well-selected and properly placed plants may decrease heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent.

Plants also naturally remove toxins from the air. They can lower the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC's), such as benzene and formaldehyde, which contribute to something called Sick Building Syndrome. Most modern building materials, including carpets, paints, and many plastics, emit toxins that make humans sick. This is the opposite of building-human synergy: the buildings most people work in actually make them sick! This is obviously a major oversight in architecture, and one that plants address admirably. They also do this cleansing job cheaply; plants are inexpensive and won't "break" provided they receive a little water and some sunlight. Comparable machine solutions cost hundreds or thousands of dollars and might not even do a particularly good job.

pursued as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional roofing materials. These systems range from discreet box gardens covering minimal surface area to eave-to-eave plots covering the entire roof.

The idea of planting a live roof actually originated in Europe long ago, mainly as a cheaper and more readily available alternative to more robust roofing systems at the time. And while the benefits and maintenance of these “living roofs” is the subject of much discussion, the successful construction of these systems requires attention to several factors: material specifications, structural loads, and water handling.

• Greener Material Specifications

  In order to sustain living plants, the planted roof must have soil. Just like any other planted area, the soil must contain nutrients and have proper aeration and water. The construction materials selected for such a system therefore must be able to resist exposure to soil chemistry and fertilizers, physical abrasion from tilling, and contact with insects, animals, roots and soil, and to the constant presence of moisture. In addition, failure of the selected roofing materials may require excavation which would be a considerable undertaking for full roof plantings.

  Most traditional roofing materials are not formulated for constant contact with soil chemistry, and are designed to shed moisture and spend at least part of their life cycle in a dry, well ventilated state. Membranes, insulation, drains, and containment supports should then be selected based on zero maintenance, below grade specifications such as those used beneath pavements, foundations, and patios as opposed to standard roofing criteria.

• Structural Loads - Weight of Green Rooftops

  One cubic foot of dry, agricultural dirt or loam typically used for a “green” roof weighs between 75 and 81 pounds. Saturated with water the weight can increase by as much as 35%, to around 100 to 110 pounds per cubic foot. This means 100 square feet of planted roof containing soil 6 inches deep can add over 5000 pounds of dead load to the roof structure, roughly 50 p.s.f. or more.

  Four discrete planter boxes or containers 6 feet long, 2 feet wide with 1 foot depth of soil applies a similar load. Add a blocked water drain and the weight starts adding up at the rate of 5 p.s.f per inch of standing water. Add a conservative snow load allowance for flat roofs of 15 p.s.f., and the design criteria can easily exceed 70 p.s.f. dead load. For a modest building using 2500 sq.ft. of living roof construction this could translate to 175,000 pounds of dead load on the roof top. Constructed in a seismic zone this can become an unexpectedly live load directly above the heads of the building occupants.

  Finally, if the planting is intended to be a tended garden additional live loads will be incurred by equipment, gardeners, and visitors if applicable. Whether for new construction or for retrofitting existing roofs, structural engineering design is required for anything more than a few square feet of planted roof area.

• Watering and Drainage

  Live plants not only need water to maintain growth, but need adequate drainage to prevent disease and rot. A living roof also requires excellent drainage to prevent a flood event, which could have disastrous consequences at rooftop level. Again, drains designed for below grade applications with constant soil contact and zero maintenance are required as opposed to conventional roof drainage systems. A layer of agricultural lightweight aggregate or pea gravel covered with a suitable filter fabric is usually adequate. There are also proprietary formed drain systems available, such as synthetic fiber mats and cellular matrices, which are thinner, lighter, and can increase drainage rates but usually at higher cost. Additionally the drainage design should incorporate several collection points serving a given area in case one drain becomes clogged. Finally, active irrigation needs to be closely monitored to avoid excess water weight as mentioned previously.

  And the paints you use in your house is extremely important too. Extended exposure to VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in paint can make some people nauseous and dizzy for some time. Most synthetic, water-based paints contain an acceptable level of VOCs that shouldn’t prove a risk to the painter or people living in the house, provided it is well-ventilated.
  
  But if you suffer respiratory ailments, are chemically sensitive, or want a greener alternative, there are paints based on plant oils, extracts and minerals that contain little or no VOCs. Use them as far as possible.

Read  how-indoor-air-can-be-purified-naturally   to avoid sick building syndrome

And finally...

Waste management is normally concerned with the materials produced by actions of humans, and unless managed efficiently may have adverse effects on the environment and health of the community. It is an important and complex process due to the multiple varieties of waste produced by each household in an urban or a rural set up. Techniques of waste disposal:

Landfills: Landfills, being simple and economical, are globally the most common system of waste disposal. It involves the burial of waste materials. Landfills that are not properly designed or managed may create several environmental hazards and diseases due to the dispersion of garbage by wind, the attraction of rats, and other similar reasons. Landfills are normally developed in unused pits located at a distance from the developed areas so that its harmful effects can be avoided.  Some landfills include systems for the extraction of gas that is used for the generation of electricity. It is essential that the landfills do not pollute the surface water or the ground water, and this is ensured by lining the landfill, compaction of the upper layer, and selection of sites that are not subjected to floods. Leakage from landfill waste can be minimized by solidification with cement or asphalt.

Incineration: After landfills, incineration is the most widely used method to eliminate the solid, liquid, and gaseous waste. Hazardous air contaminants are released by the burning of waste, due to which there are serious public concerns regarding environmental pollution. The combustion is generally not complete in an incinerator, due to which the gaseous emissions contain micro-pollutants that are not safe for the area near the incinerator. In countries where adequate space is not available for landfills, incineration is more practicable.

Recycling: It is probably the most ideal way of managing waste, but it can be costly and difficult to implement. There are numerous products that can be recycled instead of thrown away including aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles, paper, and scrap metal. It is becoming more popular to complete this process and successful marketing is making recycled materials more likely to be purchased. In the long run, recycling can save money and resources as well as keep the environment cleaner.

Apart from the above things, keep your dwellings clean and well organized to live a healthy and harmonious life. 

So, one has to consider all the above  things while constructing a new house or maintaining an old one for the well being of people living in it. Not where you should or shouldn't  keep your stove, or bed or cupboards or money or how many doors and windows a house should have. Modem Vastu sastra that people are following now seems to focus less on practical utility and more towards scare-mongering with its obscure concepts and prediction of terrible consequences if its prescriptions are not followed. It is exploiting the fear of the unknown in people to make money.

I hope you understand this now.