With the increasing awareness of global warming issues these days, every individual has started doing his bit of efforts to save the environment. One such endeavor is switching to energy-efficient solutions for homes. It is not only good for Mother Nature, but also a great way to cut down your energy consumption and utility bills.
You may create an energy-efficient home for environmental protection, financial advantages or safety interest. No matter what motivates you, it is surely going to boost the eco-friendliness of your home and benefit you in the long run, ultimately saving you substantial amount of money.
Moreover, energy efficiency is something that everyone can contribute to without undergoing financial stress or other kinds of hassle. Here are a few tips to build or improve your home to be on par with other smart and environmentally friendly buildings in the city:
- Use Insulating Materials in your Home
You would never want the precious heat of your home to escape out during the colder months. However, it is bound to happen if you don’t have good insulation systems. The absence of attic or wall insulation leads to high energy usage that costs you immensely and is also detrimental to the environment.
Therefore, if you want to build a zero energy home, resort to effective measures like weather stripping, door sweeps, and other insulating techniques. These air sealing approaches maintain the right temperature inside the house by keeping the house warm during winters and cool in summers.
You can either do this yourself or hire a professional to do that for you.
- Get Rid of your Old Windows
Old and drafty windows are the major reasons behind the loss of heat during the winter season and cool air in hot months. This can lead to high energy costs throughout the year. Hence, check around your windows and doors carefully and caulk any crevices you see.
Fit weather-strippings around the frame and rubber sweeps at the bottom of the door. You can consider replacing your windows that aren’t helping in keeping the cold air leaks at bay.
Invest in double panel windows and vinyl frames as they are more efficient than single-pane windows and aluminum frames.
- Install LED Bulbs
Minimizing the use of lighting and optimizing it for homeowners is a crucial step towards building zero energy homes. Light Emitting Diode Bulbs (LEDs) are the perfect match for these tasks.
They last longer than regular incandescent and CFL bulbs and don’t contain toxic materials such as mercury, lead, etc. Besides, they come in a variety of options and are entirely recyclable.
LED bulbs are not even prone to shock and bad weather conditions. They are indeed a perfect way to reduce the burden on the environment and your energy bills.
- Invest in Solar Panels
If you can afford, then consider installing solar panels on the roof of your home to cut down on your electricity bills. They do not produce greenhouse gases or pollutes the water. Besides, they require very little effort for maintenance, hence creating the least impact on the environment.
The best part is solar energy can be produced anywhere where there is sunshine. Hence, it is a perfect solution for remote areas where there is no access to electricity.
With solar panels, you can produce your own electricity and also aid the green movement. It may be an expensive investment but totally worth every penny.
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