Are you interested in making your house 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 cash. You can start right at residence, by making a few simple changes to make your house energy efficient and more eco friendly. But beyond electricity efficiency, there are numerous other vital factors that go into the design of a environmentally sound home. For instance, water conservation, indoor air quality, and the use of safer building supplies will all contribute to a more eco-friendly home. This applies to new construction, as well as renovating and greening an older home for flipping and sale. Here's a listing of some of the factors to think about when remodeling your home, or buying a green residence. Proper 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 residence more comfortable and electricity efficient. Ventilation systems should be wrapped and sealed to stop air loss. Air Quality - To make the residence healthier, safe building materials ought to be used to limit introduction of noxious and dangerous vapors. For example, use zero-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, and put in recycled, reclaimed, or sustainable flooring prepared from materials that don't have formaldehyde, such as bamboo or cork. Consider installing physical termite barriers instead 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 options 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 should have a 17 SEER rating or better, and furnaces ought to have a 90+ rating. The heating and cooling unit size and placement should be correctly thought out to add to efficiency. Lighting - Install energy efficient fixtures. Compact fluorescent light bulbs ought to be used in place of halogen or incandescent bulbs. Windows and Doors - Install double-paned, Low-E windows. Correctly shade windows that face the sun, or install window overhangs. Install storm doors where suitable. Thermostat Timers - Install a programmable thermostat and hot water heater timer. Outside - Think about installing low upkeep supplies 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 takes into account cautious assortment of plants, and focuses on water conservation. Use green landscape design practices, such as reducing the dimension of the lawn. Think about the proper position of trees to help shade the home and decrease cooling costs. Utilize hardscape supplies 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 consider reclaiming water. You may see that from top to bottom, you will look at your entire 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 environmentally sound house. By making at least a few simple changes to enhance 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 ecosystem at the same time, and that always feels nice.
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But beyond energy efficiency, there are numerous other important factors that go into the design of a green house. For instance, water management, indoor air quality, and the use of safer constructing materials will all add to a more eco-friendly home. This applies to new construction, as well as renovating and greening an older residence for improvement and sale.
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