Are you interested in making your residence more energy efficient and green? With rising energy 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 residence, by making a few easy changes to make your home electricity efficient and more eco friendly.
But beyond electricity efficiency, there are several other important 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 contribute to a more eco-friendly house. This applies to new building, as well as renovating and greening an older house for improvement and sale. Here's a list of some of the factors to think about when remodeling your house, or purchasing a green home.
Correct Ventilation - The residence 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 house more comfortable and energy efficient. Ventilation systems ought to be wrapped and sealed to stop air loss.
Air Quality - To make the house healthier, safe constructing materials ought to be utilized 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 appropriate.
Water Efficiency - Consider installing dual-flush toilets, low- flow wash heads, and a tankless water heater, or at a minimum; a more electricity efficient Energy Star rated model.
Insulation - One of the top 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 should have a 90+ rating. The heating and cooling unit size and placement ought to be properly thought out to add to efficiency.
Lighting - Install electricity efficient fixtures. Compact fluorescent light bulbs ought to 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 appropriate.
Thermostat Timers - Install a programmable thermostat and hot water furnace timer.
Outside - Think about installing low upkeep 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 selection of plants, and focuses on water conservation. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the size of the lawn. Think about the correct position of trees to help shade the home and reduce cooling costs. Employ hardscape materials to reduce weeds and do away with the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use local plants and xeriscape techniques to stay away from 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 home indoors and out to look for possible improvements to make it more eco friendly. It's not too hard to make your existing residence a green residence. By making at least a few simple changes to enhance electricity efficiency, in no time you will see the positive results in your utility bills. 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.
But beyond electricity efficiency, there are several other important 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 contribute to a more eco-friendly house. This applies to new building, as well as renovating and greening an older house for improvement and sale. Here's a list of some of the factors to think about when remodeling your house, or purchasing a green home.
Correct Ventilation - The residence 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 house more comfortable and energy efficient. Ventilation systems ought to be wrapped and sealed to stop air loss.
Air Quality - To make the house healthier, safe constructing materials ought to be utilized 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 appropriate.
Water Efficiency - Consider installing dual-flush toilets, low- flow wash heads, and a tankless water heater, or at a minimum; a more electricity efficient Energy Star rated model.
Insulation - One of the top 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 should have a 90+ rating. The heating and cooling unit size and placement ought to be properly thought out to add to efficiency.
Lighting - Install electricity efficient fixtures. Compact fluorescent light bulbs ought to 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 appropriate.
Thermostat Timers - Install a programmable thermostat and hot water furnace timer.
Outside - Think about installing low upkeep 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 selection of plants, and focuses on water conservation. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the size of the lawn. Think about the correct position of trees to help shade the home and reduce cooling costs. Employ hardscape materials to reduce weeds and do away with the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use local plants and xeriscape techniques to stay away from 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 home indoors and out to look for possible improvements to make it more eco friendly. It's not too hard to make your existing residence a green residence. By making at least a few simple changes to enhance electricity efficiency, in no time you will see the positive results in your utility bills. 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.
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1 comment:
When you are planning to build a new house, it would be great to install HVAC systems that would give you comfortable feeling. This won't increase your energy consumption for HVAC systems are designed to reduce your energy consumption.
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