Are you interested in making your house more energy efficient and green? With rising energy costs and sky high utility statements, most of us are looking for ways to cut costs and save some money. You can start right at home, by making a few simple changes to make your home electricity efficient and more eco friendly.
But beyond electricity efficiency, there are several other vital factors that go into the model of a green house. For instance, water conservation, indoor air quality, and the use of safer constructing materials will all add to a more eco-friendly residence. This applies to new building, as well as renovating and greening an older house for improvement and sale.
Here’s a listing of some of the factors to think about when remodeling your house, 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 home more comfortable and electricity efficient. Ventilation systems should be wrapped and sealed to stop air loss.
Air Quality – To make the residence healthier, safe building materials should be used to limit introduction of harmful and harmful vapors. For example, use zero-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, and install recycled, reclaimed, or sustainable flooring made from materials that don’t have formaldehyde, such as bamboo or cork. Consider installing physical termite barriers in its place of chemical treatments, where suitable.
Water Efficiency – Think about installing dual-flush toilets, low- flow shower heads, and a tankless water heater, or at a minimum; a more energy efficient Energy Star rated model.
Insulation – One of the top choices 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 – Think about 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 ought to be correctly thought out to add to efficiency.
Lighting – Install energy efficient fixtures. Compact fluorescent light bulbs should be used in place of halogen or normal 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 maintenance materials that make sense for your climate and region, such as fiber cement siding, 40-year shingles, and engineered wood framing.
Landscaping – Eco landscaping considers careful selection of plants, and concentrates on water conservation. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the dimension of the lawn. Think about the correct position of trees to help shade the home and decrease cooling costs. Use hardscape materials to reduce weeds and do away with the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use inhabitant plants and xeriscape techniques to avoid the need for excessive care and watering. Compost. Install drip irrigation systems and think about reclaiming water.
You can see that from top to bottom, you will look at your entire home 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 house. By making at least a few easy changes to enhance electricity efficiency, in no time you will see the optimistic results in your utility statements. 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.
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