Learn The Hottest Information For Making Your Home A Greener House
Are you interested in making your house more energy efficient and green? Warm beds can stop you using so much heating, that is of course if you have a mattress! 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 house electricity efficient and more eco friendly.
But beyond electricity efficiency, there are numerous other important factors that go into the model of a green home. For instance, 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 building, 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 home, or buying a green residence.
Proper Ventilation – The home 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 house more comfortable and energy efficient. Ventilation systems should 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 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. 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 best alternatives a consumer can 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 ought to have a 17 SEER rating or better, and furnaces should have a 90+ rating. The heating and cooling unit magnitude and placement ought to be correctly thought out to increase efficiency.
Lighting – Install energy efficient fixtures. Compact fluorescent light bulbs ought to 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 furnace timer.
Exterior – Consider installing low maintenance materials that make sense for your climate 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 conservation. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the dimension of the lawn. Think about the proper placement of trees to help shade the house and reduce cooling costs. Utilize hardscape materials to reduce weeds and eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use local plants and xeriscape methods to avoid the need for excessive 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 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 home a green residence. By making at least a few simple changes to improve energy efficiency, in no time you will see the positive results in your utility statements. Plus, you have the added benefit of knowing that you are doing more for the environment at the same time, and that always feels good.