Consumers are looking for ways to improve the quality of the air they breathe in their home, enhance energy efficiency and use products that are better for the environment and themselves. Whether building a new home, remodeling a room or simply making energy–efficient upgrades to lower monthly energy bills, “green” homes have gone mainstream and with good reason. Environmentally friendly homes cannot only help sustain the earth, they can also save money on energy bills if done properly.
Being green in these energy–conscious times doesn’t mean taking on the entire house. Building or remodeling a home green is much easier than you think. Here are a few ways to add a tint of green into your home, starting from the outside in:
Top of the House to You
When choosing a new or replacement roof for your home,chances are you are searching for a roofing system that is economical,requires less maintenance, durable, and of course, attractive. Metal is the solution here. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the ENERGY STAR® label for roof products to help identify and promote the use of highly reflective, energy–efficient roofing materials. Most metal roofs meet the criteria for ENERGY STAR®qualifications. By reflecting some of the sun’s rays, they require less energy for air conditioning, which is good for the environment and the pocketbook. Moreover, a metal roof provides decades of life and is 100% recyclable.
What You Don’t See is What You Get
You may not be able to see insulation, but you can sure feel it. Air sealing and insulation are among the easiest and most cost–effective ways to reduce energy bills and increase comfort in a home. Spray foam insulation makes it easy to completely fill wall cavities and to perform air sealing in the same step. It expands into odd shaped spaces and gaps, creating an air tight envelope for your home. In addition, spray foam has a higher ability to resist the flow of heat, or R value, than other types of insulation. A higher R–value number gives higher resistance and, as a result, the insulation is more efficient. Sprayed foam materials can cost more upfront than traditional types of insulation but it forms both insulation and air sealing in one step.This one step process reduces construction time and the number of specialized contractors.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When it comes to incorporating sustainable, cost–effective,and comfortable indoor air, it is very important to size the home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system properly. Comparing the size of the unit to the needs of the house is the key to running an efficient system and a healthier house. According to the EPA, improperly sized and poorly installed HVAC systems can reduce performance by as much as 30 percent and that more than half of all systems are installed incorrectly. If an HVAC unit is too big, it switches on to cool the house and then off too soon before taking out the humidity from the air. This increases energy consumption, indoor air quality problems, and leaves the home damp and drafty. Another important item to take into account is the location of the HVAC. Consider installing the ducts within the conditioned envelope. This will eliminate wasteful conductive heat gain from unconditioned spaces. Moreover, HVAC “smart” zoning controls allow one HVAC unit to provide independent temperature zones for space conditioning, granting the homeowner control over where and how much conditioning goes to each zone.
Get Labeled
When purchasing products that use electricity, think ENERGY STAR®. When purchasing products and services that use water, think WaterSense®. WaterSense®, a program sponsored by the EPA, is helping consumers identify high–performance, water efficient products that can reduce your water and electricity bills. One such product is the high efficiency toilet. Unlike the first generation “low flow”toilets, WaterSense® high efficiency toilets save water with no trade–off in flushing power and many perform better than standard toilets. Pricing can range from less than $100 to more than $1,000. The variability in price is due to style and not functional design.
Form and function are not overlooked with ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances. Earning the ENERGY STAR® qualification means a product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the government. These approved appliances such as dishwashers, clotheswashers, refrigerators and freezers provide savings without sacrificing the features you want.
There are many products and practices on the market that are ecologically sound to create an environmentally friendly home. You may want your remodel built entirely to green standards or prefer building a new home with conventional materials but finishing it out with natural elements. Either way, you are doing a service to your environment and your pocket book. Here are a few more ways to adopt green into your home: non–toxic paints and sealants on interior walls and surfaces, natural flooring (such as cork, bamboo, concrete, and natural fiber carpets), countertops made with recycled content (such as glass or paper–composites), energy efficient lighting, and tankless water heaters.
It’s easy to blend environmental measures with modern convenience and great looks. The first step is to identify your green priorities, then spend the extra time to research sustainable design strategies and materials. Your children’s children will thank you.
