Are you interested in making your residence more energy efficient and green? With rising electricity costs and sky high utility bills, 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 house energy efficient and more eco friendly.
But beyond energy efficiency, there are numerous other vital factors that go into the design of a green residence. For example, water management, indoor air quality, and the use of safer building materials can all contribute to a more eco-friendly residence. This applies to new construction, as well as renovating and greening an older home for improvement and sale. Here's a listing of some of the factors to consider when remodeling your house, or buying a green residence.
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 residence more comfortable and energy efficient. Ventilation systems ought to be wrapped and sealed to prevent air loss.
Air Quality - To make the house healthier, safe constructing materials should be utilized to limit introduction of noxious and dangerous vapors. For instance, use zero-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, and install recycled, reclaimed, or sustainable flooring prepared 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 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 consumer may make is to install added insulation. Use formaldehyde-free insulation. Additionally, 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 size and assignment should be properly 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 - Think about 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 selection of plants, and concentrates on water conservation. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the dimension of the lawn. Consider the correct placement of trees to help shade the home and reduce cooling costs. Utilize hardscape materials to reduce weeds and eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use inhabitant plants and xeriscape methods to avoid 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 can 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 house a green house. 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 added benefit of knowing that you are doing more for the ecosystem at the same time, and that always feels nice.
But beyond energy efficiency, there are numerous other vital factors that go into the design of a green residence. For example, water management, indoor air quality, and the use of safer building materials can all contribute to a more eco-friendly residence. This applies to new construction, as well as renovating and greening an older home for improvement and sale. Here's a listing of some of the factors to consider when remodeling your house, or buying a green residence.
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 residence more comfortable and energy efficient. Ventilation systems ought to be wrapped and sealed to prevent air loss.
Air Quality - To make the house healthier, safe constructing materials should be utilized to limit introduction of noxious and dangerous vapors. For instance, use zero-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, and install recycled, reclaimed, or sustainable flooring prepared 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 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 consumer may make is to install added insulation. Use formaldehyde-free insulation. Additionally, 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 size and assignment should be properly 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 - Think about 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 selection of plants, and concentrates on water conservation. Use green landscape design activities, such as reducing the dimension of the lawn. Consider the correct placement of trees to help shade the home and reduce cooling costs. Utilize hardscape materials to reduce weeds and eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides. Use inhabitant plants and xeriscape methods to avoid 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 can 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 house a green house. 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 added benefit of knowing that you are doing more for the ecosystem at the same time, and that always feels nice.
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