Are you interested in making your home more energy efficient and green? With rising electricity costs and sky high utility statements, most of us are looking for ways to cut costs and save some cash. You can begin right at home, by making a few simple changes to make your home energy efficient and more eco friendly.
But beyond electricity efficiency, there are several other vital factors that go into the model of a green home. For example, water conservation, indoor air quality, and the use of safer constructing materials can all contribute to a more eco-friendly house. This applies to new construction, as well as renovating and greening an older home for improvement and sale. Here’s a list of some of the factors to consider when remodeling your house, or buying a green home.
Proper Ventilation – The home should 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 energy efficient. Ventilation systems should be wrapped and sealed to stop air loss.
Air Quality – To make the residence healthier, safe building materials ought to be used to limit introduction of noxious and dangerous vapors. For example, use zero-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, and put in recycled, reclaimed, or sustainable flooring prepared from materials that don’t have formaldehyde, such as bamboo or cork. Think about installing physical termite barriers in its place of chemical treatments, where suitable.
Water Efficiency – Consider 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 may make is to install additional insulation. Use formaldehyde-free insulation. Moreover, 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 should have a 17 SEER rating or better, and furnaces should have a 90+ rating. The heating and cooling unit magnitude and assignment should be properly thought out to add to 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. Correctly shade windows that face the sun, or install window overhangs. Install storm doors where appropriate.
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 region, such as fiber cement siding, 40-year shingles, and engineered wood framing.
Landscaping – Eco landscaping considers cautious assortment of plants, and concentrates on water conservation. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the dimension of the lawn. Consider the proper placement of trees to help shade the residence and reduce cooling costs. Utilize hardscape materials to reduce weeds and do away with the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use inhabitant plants and xeriscape methods to stay away from the need for too much care and watering. Compost. Install drip irrigation systems and consider reclaiming water.
You will see that from top to bottom, you will look at your whole home indoors and out to look for possible improvements to make it more eco friendly. It’s not too hard to make your existing home a green home. By making at least a few simple changes to improve energy efficiency, in no time you will see the optimistic results in your utility statements. Plus, you have the additional benefit of knowing that you are doing more for the ecosystem at the same time, and that always feels nice.
