An energy efficient home can mean more than simply saving on your electric bills. By performing a few upgrades you can help the environment and cut down on the burning of fossil fuels to produce power. Here are five changes that range from difficult to easy.
Roof
The roof of a home can be the cause of considerable heat loss. While eco friendly roofs such as those covered in sod are an option (see this green roof video), they are typically not practical. If you need to replace your roof anyway, you might consider environmentally friendly options such as slate, wood shingles, or recycled materials.
Making sure your eaves are sealed and your attic insulation is adequate can also help with heat loss.
Insulation
Adding insulation is the number one method for making your home more energy efficient. Look for insulation made from material such as wood, cellulose, old newspapers, or even hemp to increase the eco friendliness of your home. To seal cracks and leaky areas there are eco friendly foams available as well.
Doors and Windows
Doors and windows, like roofing, can be a major source of heating and cooling loss that results in higher energy consumption. Add weather stripping or caulk around these areas to plug weak seals. If you need to replace windows, look for double or triple paned options that reduce temperature fluctuations.
Heating and Cooling
Maintaining clean filters in your heating and cooling system helps to retain efficiency in these machines. You can reduce your energy usage by turning down your thermostat in the winter and wearing more clothing. In the summer, make use of the outdoor air by opening windows and using fans. In humid climates this may not be an option on summer evenings.
Pipes and Water Heaters
If you have exposed pipes such as in an unfinished basement or crawl space, consider wrapping them in insulation. This material can be purchased in long, tubular strips with a slit down one side. Placing insulation around your hot water pipes means your water will stay hotter longer thus saving on heating costs.
Water heaters can be a source of wasted energy. Installing a tank-less version is a good investment as water is heated only as needed. With traditional water heaters the heating and cooling cycle is a non stop process that goes on whether you are home or not. Wrapping a traditional water heater tank with insulation or one of the specially made water heater blankets will retain the heat longer thus reducing the number of times you use gas or electricity to heat water during the day.
Performing a few simple upgrades to your home can make a big difference in your family’s energy consumption. Consider the options listed above or do a search for more ideas when deciding how to reduce your carbon footprint.
Feel free to add more ideas with a comment below.
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i think the best roofing are ceramic based because it is a very good insulator.~*”