Are you interested in making your residence more electricity 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 start right at house, by making a few simple changes to make your home 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 instance, water management, indoor air quality, and the use of safer building materials can all add 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 house.
Correct 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 prevent air loss.
Air Quality - To make the home healthier, safe building materials should be used to limit introduction of harmful and dangerous vapors. For instance, 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 instead of chemical treatments, where appropriate.
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 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 should have a 17 SEER rating or better, and furnaces should have a 90+ rating. The heating and cooling unit magnitude and placement should be correctly thought out to increase efficiency.
Lighting - Install electricity efficient fixtures. Compact fluorescent light bulbs ought to be utilized 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 appropriate.
Thermostat Timers - Install a programmable thermostat and hot water heater timer.
Exterior - 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 focuses on water conservation. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the size of the lawn. Consider the proper position of trees to help shade the home and reduce cooling costs. Use hardscape materials to reduce weeds and eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use local plants and xeriscape methods to stay away from 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 may look at your whole residence 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 house. By making at least a few simple changes to enhance energy efficiency, in no time you will see the optimistic results in your utility statements. Plus, you have the added benefit of knowing that you are doing more for the ecosystem 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 instance, water management, indoor air quality, and the use of safer building materials can all add 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 house.
Correct 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 prevent air loss.
Air Quality - To make the home healthier, safe building materials should be used to limit introduction of harmful and dangerous vapors. For instance, 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 instead of chemical treatments, where appropriate.
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 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 should have a 17 SEER rating or better, and furnaces should have a 90+ rating. The heating and cooling unit magnitude and placement should be correctly thought out to increase efficiency.
Lighting - Install electricity efficient fixtures. Compact fluorescent light bulbs ought to be utilized 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 appropriate.
Thermostat Timers - Install a programmable thermostat and hot water heater timer.
Exterior - 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 focuses on water conservation. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the size of the lawn. Consider the proper position of trees to help shade the home and reduce cooling costs. Use hardscape materials to reduce weeds and eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use local plants and xeriscape methods to stay away from 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 may look at your whole residence 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 house. By making at least a few simple changes to enhance energy efficiency, in no time you will see the optimistic results in your utility statements. Plus, you have the added benefit of knowing that you are doing more for the ecosystem at the same time, and that always feels good.
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