For many home owners, making the necessary changes
to become eco-friendly can seem like a daunting position. On the contrary, it's
actually surprising how simple sustainable living can be, from changing the
style of light bulb to starting a compost heap in the back garden.
Sustainability and energy-efficiency should also be taken into account when
extending or renovating the home, by choosing the materials and products you
use, it's possible to see a massive reduction in energy bills and your home's
carbon footprint. For the home owners themselves it's these small steps that can go a large way
towards building a clearer conscience.
Here are some top tips on how to make your home greener, with a variety of
short and long term savings:
Insulation and Geothermal heating
One of the most cost-effective ecological improvements you can make is to
insulate your home. On average an annual saving of £135 per year is expected by
installing effective floor, wall and roof insulation. A more niche idea, yet
one that is gaining popularity on a yearly basis is geothermal heating. By
installing a geothermal system into your home, also known as a ground source
heat pump or geo-exchange system, it's possibly to heat your home using
entirely different means.
Geothermal energy only works in certain geographies, so it's important to see
if it would be a viable option for your area. The term 'geothermal system' is
actually a misnomer as it implies generating heat from the earth. In reality
geothermal heat pumps, once installed, capitalize and pull a steady temperature
from the ground or water wells deep underground. They also deposit heat for
storage, pulling however much is needed depending on a number of variables
including time of year. There can be a number of different configurations to
these systems, but regardless of type, geothermal energy is considered one of
the most efficient means of heating and cooling.
Refresh your appliances
Appliance use generally forms around 18% of the final monthly electricity bill.
Any appliances over 10 years old are likely using anywhere between 10 - 50%
more energy than a modern day equivalent. Renewing an old fridge for example
can save you as much as approximately £100 per year in electricity. A good tip
to keep in mind when buying new appliances is to look for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 'Energy Star' logo. Appliances that have been qualified with this stamp are guaranteed to be highly
energy efficient.
Consider Energy Efficient Windows
Windows are a great way to let in natural lighting and warmth. However, they also have a such impact on our heating and cooling costs. Replacing your old windows with new energy efficient windows can improve your energy efficiency and subsequently lower your utility costs. Replacing windows can be an easy DIY task if you have the experience, if not, consider getting quotes from various contractors such as Otto’s Home Remodeling. If buying new windows isn’t in your budget, there are still steps you can take to improve efficiency such as caulking and adding weatherstripping.
Using Water wisely
When saving water, simple behavioural changes can add up quickly. Using a broom
to sweep the drive instead of clearing it with hose can save up to 80 gallons
of water a year, likewise turning off the tap whilst you brush your teeth saves
around 4.5 gallons.
There are also products you can use around the house to stem the flow of water.
Installing a aerator on all the household taps cuts consumption by a massive
50%. Installing a newer model of toilet, using a low-flow system will use
around 1.6 gallons per flush in comparison with the normal 3.5. Any older
toilets with a flat valve can also be adjusted to fill their tanks with less
water for each use.
It's important to remember that the best way to be eco-friendly is to begin by
looking inwards at your day to day life, and generally try to consume less and
recycle whenever possible. To be green, you've got to be efficient, so start
with the little changes and build from there.
Photo credits: energyinformative.org
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