Are you interested in making your home more electricity efficient and green? With rising electricity costs and sky high utility bills, most of us are looking for ways to cut costs and save some money. You can begin right at house, by making a few easy changes to make your residence energy efficient and more eco friendly.
But beyond electricity efficiency, there are numerous other vital factors that go into the model of a green home. For example, water conservation, indoor air quality, and the use of safer building materials will all contribute to a more eco-friendly house. This applies to new building, as well as renovating and greening an older home for improvement and sale. Here's a list of some of the factors to think about when remodeling your home, or buying a green home.
Correct Ventilation - The residence ought to have the right number and placement of exhaust fans, proper ventilation, vapor barriers, and duct sealing. A well designed thermal envelope can make the residence more comfortable and electricity efficient. Ventilation systems ought to be wrapped and sealed to prevent air loss.
Air Quality - To make the home healthier, safe building materials ought to be used to limit introduction of noxious and dangerous vapors. For instance, use zero-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, and install recycled, reclaimed, or sustainable flooring prepared from materials that don't have formaldehyde, such as bamboo or cork. Think about installing physical termite barriers instead of chemical treatments, where suitable.
Water Efficiency - Think about installing dual-flush toilets, low- flow wash heads, and a tankless water heater, or at a minimum; a more energy efficient Energy Star rated model.
Insulation - One of the best alternatives a shopper can make is to install additional insulation. Use formaldehyde-free insulation. As well, install a radiant barrier on the underside of the roof, where appropriate.
Roofing - Consider metal or cement tile roofing, or durable shingles rated for 40 years or more.
Appliances and Furnaces - Use Energy Star rated appliances. The HVAC (air conditioning) systems ought to have a 17 SEER rating or better, and furnaces ought to have a 90+ rating. The heating and cooling unit size and assignment should be correctly thought out to increase efficiency.
Lighting - Install electricity efficient fixtures. Compact fluorescent light bulbs should be utilized in place of halogen or incandescent bulbs.
Windows and Doors - Install double-paned, Low-E windows. Properly shade windows that face the sun, or install window overhangs. Install storm doors where suitable.
Thermostat Timers - Install a programmable thermostat and hot water heater timer.
Outside - Think about installing low upkeep materials that make sense for your type of weather and area, such as fiber cement siding, 40-year shingles, and engineered wood framing.
Landscaping - Eco landscaping considers careful assortment of plants, and focuses on water management. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the size of the lawn. Consider the proper position of trees to help shade the residence and reduce cooling costs. Employ hardscape materials to reduce weeds and do away with the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use native plants and xeriscape methods to avoid the need for too much care and watering. Compost. Install drip irrigation systems and think about reclaiming water.
You may see that from top to bottom, you can look at your whole house indoors and out to look for potential improvements to make it more eco friendly. It's not too hard to make your existing residence a green home. By making at least a few simple changes to enhance energy efficiency, in no time you will see the optimistic results in your utility bills. Plus, you have the extra benefit of knowing that you are doing more for the environment at the same time, and that always feels good.
But beyond electricity efficiency, there are numerous other vital factors that go into the model of a green home. For example, water conservation, indoor air quality, and the use of safer building materials will all contribute to a more eco-friendly house. This applies to new building, as well as renovating and greening an older home for improvement and sale. Here's a list of some of the factors to think about when remodeling your home, or buying a green home.
Correct Ventilation - The residence ought to have the right number and placement of exhaust fans, proper ventilation, vapor barriers, and duct sealing. A well designed thermal envelope can make the residence more comfortable and electricity efficient. Ventilation systems ought to be wrapped and sealed to prevent air loss.
Air Quality - To make the home healthier, safe building materials ought to be used to limit introduction of noxious and dangerous vapors. For instance, use zero-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, and install recycled, reclaimed, or sustainable flooring prepared from materials that don't have formaldehyde, such as bamboo or cork. Think about installing physical termite barriers instead of chemical treatments, where suitable.
Water Efficiency - Think about installing dual-flush toilets, low- flow wash heads, and a tankless water heater, or at a minimum; a more energy efficient Energy Star rated model.
Insulation - One of the best alternatives a shopper can make is to install additional insulation. Use formaldehyde-free insulation. As well, install a radiant barrier on the underside of the roof, where appropriate.
Roofing - Consider metal or cement tile roofing, or durable shingles rated for 40 years or more.
Appliances and Furnaces - Use Energy Star rated appliances. The HVAC (air conditioning) systems ought to have a 17 SEER rating or better, and furnaces ought to have a 90+ rating. The heating and cooling unit size and assignment should be correctly thought out to increase efficiency.
Lighting - Install electricity efficient fixtures. Compact fluorescent light bulbs should be utilized in place of halogen or incandescent bulbs.
Windows and Doors - Install double-paned, Low-E windows. Properly shade windows that face the sun, or install window overhangs. Install storm doors where suitable.
Thermostat Timers - Install a programmable thermostat and hot water heater timer.
Outside - Think about installing low upkeep materials that make sense for your type of weather and area, such as fiber cement siding, 40-year shingles, and engineered wood framing.
Landscaping - Eco landscaping considers careful assortment of plants, and focuses on water management. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the size of the lawn. Consider the proper position of trees to help shade the residence and reduce cooling costs. Employ hardscape materials to reduce weeds and do away with the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use native plants and xeriscape methods to avoid the need for too much care and watering. Compost. Install drip irrigation systems and think about reclaiming water.
You may see that from top to bottom, you can look at your whole house indoors and out to look for potential improvements to make it more eco friendly. It's not too hard to make your existing residence a green home. By making at least a few simple changes to enhance energy efficiency, in no time you will see the optimistic results in your utility bills. Plus, you have the extra benefit of knowing that you are doing more for the environment at the same time, and that always feels good.
About the Author:
If you could build your own DIY Solar Panels in your garage, why wouldn't you? Get your DIY Solar Panel Plans now and you will be making your own power this weekend!
No comments:
Post a Comment