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Tips For Lowering Your Home’s Energy and Water Usage

May 24, 2021 0

Your home’s energy bill continues to rise to the degree of you exploring green living options. How can you make your home more energy-efficient without paying thousands for upgrades? Consider these tips for lowering your home’s energy and water usage.

Get Regular HVAC Maintenance

Your home’s efficiency begins with proper maintenance, which is critical to improving airflow throughout the home. Simply replacing your air filters every three to six months can reduce the air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

It is also a good idea to have your HVAC system evaluated by a professional at least once per year. A certified specialist can give you a complete health report that tells you which components need to be changed. A report will also tell you how long you have until you need to replace the system entirely.

Make Improvements Outdoors

An energy-efficient roof is a great way to promote green living in your home. A green roof absorbs the heat from the sun to keep the residence warm during the winter months. Green roofs also help deflect excess sunlight that could lead to hotter days indoors during the summer months.

You may also consider using solar lighting outdoors. This option is affordable and can be controlled with motion sensors, which extend the lifetime of the system.

Solar panels are a great way to reduce energy costs as well. Many who choose solar paneling find themselves saving hundreds, or even thousands, on electric bills. It is even estimated that consumers and businesses can save as much as $20,000 per year on utility bills by going with solar panels.

Consider A Low Flow Toilet

Did you know that flushing the toilet is responsible for about 38% of your home’s water usage? Your water bill rises to even higher amounts if, like many families in the United States, you have more than one bathroom in the home.

Converting existing toilets to low-flow lavatories can save anywhere from two to five gallons per flush. You may also consider replacing your shower head while also fixing leaking faucets to further reduce your water bill.

Adjust Your Furniture

Placing your sofa underneath the vent is a good idea when you plan to watch television for hours. You may find yourself in a dilemma, however, when you move about your home while enjoying air conditioning or heat.

Rearranging your furniture is a good way to improve airflow and help lower your electric bill. You are more inclined to change the temperature on your thermostat when you feel like the home is not getting enough circulation. The reality, however, is that your sofa is probably consuming more energy by being in the direct path of the air.

Consider moving your big furniture items away from the vents. It may even be a good idea to leave the area in the path of vents open completely, so the air has full reign to flow through the home.

Consider Renovations With Good ROIs

The majority of Americans, about 61%, will choose to renovate a home instead of moving out entirely. Choosing improvements that contribute to better energy efficiency is a great way to tackle the problem of high electric bills.

Consider replacing single-pane windows with double or triple-pane windows. This improvement keeps the air flowing from the HVAC system inside the home.

Also, make certain to insulate your living space and the home’s attic with durable weather stripping. Sealing openings with caulk is also a great way to insulate for better energy efficiency.

Green living works to save the planet and money on your utility bills. Use these tips to make your home more efficient.

How to Become More Eco-Friendly in Construction Projects

May 3, 2021 0

The United States has a market share of 10% of the global construction industry and this makes it the second-largest construction market in the world. Yet, it doesn’t stop there, because this market is continuously showing new growth.

In 2017, the solar market advanced by 29.3%. Additionally, worldwide nations were installing 98.9% of new capacity gigawatt power for solar purposes. Whether you want to invest in solar or rely on recycled goods for your construction project, there are plenty of ways to make it eco-friendly. Let’s take a look at a few strategies that will help make your construction project a bit greener.

Advancing Our Health and Safety

Green living and sustainability in construction implicate the manipulation of building materials that are friends to the environment. These materials include the use of paints and solvents that are non-toxic. This eco-friendliness is how recreational areas, offices, and homes are designed.

When a construction company uses toxic solvents or paint during conventional construction, it may result in many health complications. These include, respiratory, migraines, skin disorders and many other issues. The use of eco-friendly materials has proven to be beneficial over extended periods for everyone involved.

Enhancing Techniques for Demolition

Eco-friendly practices also affect how construction companies discard the old materials they are replacing such as structural steel and concrete. These materials are no longer dumped into a landfill to pollute the earth; instead they are recycled. Facilities designed to recycle non-usable materials will crush everything up at an industrial crushing site.

Almost any construction materials can be recycled. This includes materials used for flooring, ceilings, and even carpet. Every time a contractor uses recycled material it offers them the opportunity for considerable savings on a project.

In addition, the use of recycled materials enables the construction company to deter additional expenditures related to dumping toxic materials. If you’re working with a project manager, who oversees all steps of the construction process, ask them about how they can recycle their materials. It can help their bottom line as well as the environment.

Using Materials Sourced Locally

A lot goes into the transporting aspect of shipping materials along long spaces. With an emphasis on green living in construction, materials that are being locally sourced are emphasized. This means that the construction process becomes more efficient as its carbon footprint is reduced. These companies are able to support local business by using materials that are near the area of the job site.

Recycling Water Whenever Possible

Another imperative part to viable construction is the conservation of water. Whether it is commercial, residential or industrial construction, when water can be conserved it proves beneficial. This means implementing such strategies as setting up a system for collecting rainwater. Recycled rain water is able to be useful for irrigating landscapes. HVAC water condensation may be gathered and also recycled. When we recycle valuable water sources we are taken advantage of a valuable resource that would otherwise go wasted.

Using the Wind and Sun

As technology advances, so does our knowledge of what the wind and sun can do in providing a solution to sustainability. Solar energy isn’t just a cheaper method of power, it also lowers our reliance on electricity and the grid. Homes and other buildings become a natural source for generating energy with the use of solar power.

Another green living option is the use of wind to create clean, renewable energy. Turbine farms have been created for the production of giving natural energy to any building. An advantage to using wind turbines for energy is that it needs little upkeep to keep it operating. Air quality is maintained indoors, as well as decreasing investments in utilities is an added asset to the use of wind turbines.

As we have just explained throughout this article, there are many advantages to using the planet’s resources. Green living allows us to improve our living conditions and not destroy the planet in the process.

5 Tips For an Eco-Friendly Home

May 3, 2021 0

Making your home more eco-friendly can mean adding a modular addition, reducing water usage, using sustainable materials, buying Energy Star appliances, or finding ways to save energy with electronics. Below we give you some tips on eco-friendly tips and practices.

Go Modular With A New Home or Addition

Modular homes are built in factories and the materials stored in the warehouses, eliminate weather-related problems. Custom-built modular homes and additions have many designs and builders work with customers to find the best one. They have many home designs and plans to choose from. A modular home can be built in a third of the time it takes to construct other types of homes. Modular homes also reduce energy consumption by 67%, no matter what the climate is like. Modular homes have less heat loss due to tighter construction and sealants used.

When you buy a modular home, you will need to own property to put it on. You can choose eco-friendly materials to use in the design and construction. The styles of homes are Cape Cod, green home, contemporary, colonial, ranch, and tiny house. Modular home additions can be a good way to add on an addition to your home. It can be attached to the side of your home and create an additional living space, a new kitchen, or other rooms. A modular addition can be placed on top of a one-story house to make it two-story.

Before building a modular addition find out the zoning laws in your state. Modular additions can be apartments, rooms, sheds, garages, studios, or guest houses. Modular homes and addition are environmentally friendly, save on utilities, and the construction timeline is shorter.

Focus on Water Usage

Conserve water at home by fixing any leaky pipes or faucets because you can lose hundreds of gallons this way. Install low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads that reduce the amount of water used. Traditional toilets use about 28% of water in your home or condo. Other models that use less water are pressure-assisted or dual flush toilets. Run the dishwasher only when it is full, and consider washing some dishes by hand. Install instant hot water heaters in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. These small devices supply hot water when needed, and reduce water usage from 27 to 50%. Water the lawn and garden with a hose or watering can. Consider using drip irrigation for larger yards or soaker hoses to reduce water use.

Look For Items Made Out of Eco-Friendly Materials

Powder coatings are environmentally friendly finishes used on surfaces inside and outside your home. They can be used on doors, windows, handles, doorknobs, appliances, walls, and wood. This type of coating is safer than some paints that emit harmful chemicals. It is a tough and durable coating and environmentally friendly. It can be recycled, and it complies with environmental standards. Powder coatings have low VOC emissions and are free of solvents.

When installing flooring use eco-friendly materials bamboo, cork, or reclaimed wood. Hire contractors that use recycled materials or salvaged items when building made of glass, stone, wood, steel, and metals. Salvaged wood planks can be used for flooring in the home, recycled tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms, and some consumers insulate with sheep’s wool soybean foam spay. Recycled materials reduce waste and make use of eco-friendly materials.

Opt For Replacing Appliances With Energy Star Rated Brands

Energy Star appliances are certified by the US Department of Energy and use 10 to 50% less energy. This means you will save on electricity and water use lowering your monthly bills. Refrigerators use the most electricity of all home appliances. Buying a new Energy Star refrigerator will help reduce the electric bill by about 20%. Many of these appliances have rebates and tax credits for purchasing them. Some utility companies offer savings for using these appliances. They make dishwashers, air conditioning, washer, dyers, and water heaters with this label.

Make Sure You Have Energy Saving Measures In Place

Electronics use tons of energy, computers, TV, cell phone, and home entertainment systems. Use power strips for TVs and computers and turn them off when not in use. Consider having a time limit for watching TV or using the computer. Unplug electronics as they still use power when plugged in. After charging your cell phone, unplug it and turn it off at times. Customize power options on your computer, most Windows computers have this option. Look for electronic equipment with the Energy Star label. In 2019, there were many data breaches that exposed over 4 billion records of private information. Investing in software that protects your computer and electronics is a reasonable investment. Most programs are safe and reasonably priced.

With these tips, your home will be much more eco-friendly. An eco-friendly home isn’t just good for the environment, but it can also save you money in the long run.

What Should Eco-Conscious Homebuyers Look for in a New House?

May 7, 2020 0

Buying a home can be an exciting time in your life. Maybe you’re celebrating financial security or you’re ready to start a family. But for the eco-conscious among us, house hunting can be a little bit more challenging. Fortunately, more homes have green features in them now. But it’s up to you to know what to look for. Here are a few features to keep your eyes peeled for.

Roofing

When you’re looking at houses, roofing should be one of the first things you check regardless of whether you want a more eco-friendly home or not. The state of a home’s roofing can tell you a lot about what kind of issues you may or may not have to deal with upon moving in. Under normal circumstances, a roof should be inspected once or twice annually. An asphalt shingle roof should be replaced every 10 to 15 years or so, as well. So when you’re looking at a home’s roofing, make sure you ask when it was last replaced. If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option, look for homes with metal roofing. Metal roofing not only lasts for upwards of 50 years, but it can help lower your overall energy costs because of its ability to reflect sunlight and heat away from a home.

Good Insulation

Insulation might not seem like a great indicator of a home’s eco-friendliness, but the truth is that it makes a world of difference in energy usage. When a house is well-insulated, interior temperatures will remain more consistent with less need to use artificial heating or air conditioning. Having poor insulation means that not only are you using these utilities more often, but also that when you do, that warm or cool air is escaping through your walls, doors, and windows. Essentially, poor insulation means wasting precious energy. When you prioritize good insulation in your search for a home, you’re ensuring that you’ll use and waste less energy.

Water-Efficient Plumbing

Did you know that almost 10% of homes in the U.S. have water leaks that could waste up to 90 gallons of water per day? Whether it’s a dripping faucet or a shower head that isn’t fitted properly, the water efficiency of some homes is less than ideal. If you’re looking at homes as an eco-conscious buyer, make sure you inquire about water-efficient plumbing. For example, ask when the plumbing was last inspected. Any recent leaks or pipe problems could be indicative of underlying plumbing issues. In addition, don’t be afraid to take a look in the bathrooms of the houses you look at and test the plumbing for yourself. Does the faucet drip after being shut off? Is there a low-flush toilet or does the toilet run for a long time after flushing? These are the kinds of inspections you need to make if you’re set on learning whether or not a home is eco-friendly.

Solar Panels

The presence of solar panels on a home should clue you in almost immediately that you’re looking at an eco-friendly property to some extent. In most cases, homes will have solar panels installed on the roof or independently somewhere on the lawn. While they’re a good indicator of eco-friendliness, it’s still important to ask about how often they’re maintained, when they were installed, and how much energy they supply on average. The answers will give you a good idea on what kind of output you can expect and when you may need to consider replacement.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly home, you’re not alone. Most people move almost 12 times in their lives, which means others are likely searching for some of the same things you are. With your eyes peeled for these features, you should be able to find the eco-friendly home of your dreams in no time.

Reduce your Home Heating with a Hybrid Heating System

October 15, 2015 0

Reduce your Home Heating with a Hybrid Heating System

The eco-minded are always on the hunt for ways to reduce consumption. Hybrid heating systems are a really interesting way to lower consumption and your home heating bill at the same time. It’s an interesting concept, particularly the way that the automation does the eco watching for you.

Most of us choose either an electric heat pump or a gas boiler to heat our homes. However, the new hybrid systems are an intriguing fresh option. A Hybrid heat system reacts to changing temperatures and automatically adjusts to the most efficient energy saving method available to heat (or cool) a home. It combines a furnace with a heat pump, rather than an air conditioner and it’s very much a fuel-saving alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems.

Electric and gas each have some benefits, but there are drawbacks that make it difficult to ensure you have a truly energy-efficient heating system in your home. At lower temperatures, gas boilers are more efficient than electric heat pumps. However, when you only need a small boost in heat, the electric heat pump uses less energy than firing up the entire boiler for just a short period of time. The new hybrid solution gives you the best of both the gas and the electric worlds.

An example of a hybrid solution is the Daikin Altherma hybrid heat pump. It has new technology that automatically selects the most energy efficient method for heating your home. It automatically evaluates the outdoor temperature and your heating demands and switches between either the electric heat pump or your gas boiler.

Unlike the human brain, which is easily distracted and forgetful, these new solutions do the thinking for you, and these hybrids provide options for you that you wouldn’t have in a normal system. They make the shift between electric and gas to optimize for the most eco – and economical – settings for your home.

When the temperature is mild, the heat pump is more than sufficient to heat your home without the need to fire up the boiler. Once the outside temperature drops to a chillier season, the boiler begins to provide additional heating. When the outside temperature gets very low, the boiler operates alone. The system always conserves energy by providing the most efficient heat for the current conditions.

It’s gratifying to see that in some parts of the world, governments are recognizing and rewarding the environmental benefits of innovations like these new hybrid heating systems. In the UK, there’s a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) that pays residents who switch to hybrid systems 7.3p/kWh for each unit of renewable heat that they produce. (But UK residents, take note: you’re only eligible if you have your Daikin Altherma hybrid heat pump or another similar hybrid system installed by an MCS accredited installer such as Calor.)

I hope that we’ll continue to hear about new environmentally-conscious technology like these hybrid heating systems from lpg suppliers. It reminds me of cars that use both a conventional internal combustion engine and also a high voltage electric motor.

Have you got a hybrid system in your home? How do you like the system? I’d love to hear about it!