Making Your House Green with These Eco-Friendly House Ideas
>> Nov 1, 2017
Building
a new home can be
expensive enough, so it is wise to invest in materials and design choices that
will continue to minimise costs throughout the life of your home. It is also
the responsible, environmental friendly choice.
Another
thing to remember is that a house should function as an integrated system,
where each area functions with respect to all the others. This will not only
make for a more energy efficient home, but more comfortable as well.
Most of
these alternatives have been around for some time already, though in more
recent years there has been a stronger push to integrate as many eco-friendly
aspects of design together into a functioning and dynamic whole.
Here are
some of the primary design factors to consider when building for
sustainability.
Poor
sealing on windows and doors will often be the primary source of unnecessary
temperature leaks. Opt for a heavier door and maintain the weather stripping
around the perimeter of every door, paying attention to the most frequented
entrances and exits. Periodically replacing the seals around the doors will
ensure your energy costs remain low.
Regarding
windows, look for EnergyStar certification. Energy savings will range from
several to many hundreds of dollars each year, depending on the size of the
house. Choosing quality windows instead of single pane alternatives is a
decisive step towards a more eco conscious home.
Ducts
For those
that live in environments that place greater demands on the heating and cooling
system, an efficient duct system in crucial. Without a well constructed duct
system, a significant amount of the warm or cool air will be lost along the
way, causing unnecessary surges in energy consumption.
The
system should be well sealed and the filters kept clean. Switch out dirty filters
when possible to maximize airflow and keep the duct-ways free from
accumulations of dust and dirt.
Insulation
Once the commitment has been made to
keep the duct system clean and minimise temperature leaks with proper seals, it
makes no sense whatsoever to ignore the insulation. Poor insulation is another
common vector for energy waste and choosing one that will continue to perform
well over time will continue to keep energy costs low for years to come.
It is no
fun to replace, and anyone you hire to do so for you will charge accordingly.
Even with the expenses involved in building a house, it would be ill-advised to
try to save money on inferior insulation. It will save much more in the long
run if you opt for quality insulation in favour of a cheaper alternative.
Poorly made insulation also is likely to have a more negative environmental impact
when it inevitably does need to be ripped out and replaced. Environmentally
friendly insulation these days is generally no less effective and no more
expensive than other less green options.
You may consider choosing LPG, natural gas as energy source over
electricity, as in many regions, LPG is the most efficient fuel for cooking.
The gas-based fuels are stored in tanks or compact gas cylinders that can be
installed above and below ground. These units are produced in various forms to
suit a wide range of indoor and outdoor applications.
It may
not seem like an obvious factor in the cost of keeping up your home, but the
quality of the fixtures you select can ultimately have a significant effect on
the level of water consumption in your home. The EPA has reported that leaks
can account for as much a tenth of the average water bill.
The water
heater can also cause unnecessary water use. Reducing the time spent running the
faucets while waiting for the hot water is an easy way to cut both water and
energy bills.
Another
increasingly popular adaptation to conserve water are dual-flush toilets. Low
flow toilets may be fine for liquid waste, but the extra flushes often needed
to effectively dispose of solid waste can cancel out what water is being saved.
It is not unusual to see toilet water use be very nearly cut in half for
households which have opted for toilets capable of mediating the amount of
water used when flushing.
Lighting
is another fairly straightforward element when it comes to streamlining your
home’s overall energy consumption. EnergyStar certified bulbs require 75% less energy to
produce comparable levels of illumination to conventional bulbs. They also
usually last around 25 times longer. According to EnergyStar, the typical
savings over the lifetime of a single certified bulb can easily exceed one
hundred dollars.
Additionally,
identifying and making use of the available natural light will further reduce
lighting costs, as well as give an area an open and relaxing feel. Skylights
are a popular and low-cost option for bringing in natural light when
considering home designs.
Whenever
possible, choosing recycled materials in home construction and design will not
only save money, but is in perfect harmony with the spirit of your eco friendly
home. There is no better way to infuse the structure of a house with materials
which not only minimised environmental impact but have been tested and proven
to be up the task of providing and strong and durable foundations for your
home.
Finishing
touches, such as sustainable flooring can add that final layer and be and ever
present reminder that your home is complete. Whether you prefer the most
environmentally friendly flooring options or simply need that last layer of
comfort, the decision will be one you see every day and should be a pleasant
reminder of what you have accomplished for yourself, your family and the
environment.
After
reviewing these aspects environmentally friendly design, it is easy to see how
most of these energy saving principles can overlap and reinforce one another.
Sustainable designs tend towards integration. Being open to the process and
allowing it to flow forth from itself will not only be more fun but will yield
more satisfying results.
Related
article: Baby proofing your home
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