April is Earth month. Earth Day celebrations all around the world remind us the importance of keeping our earth clean. From electric cars to an environmentally friendly home, people have discovered the economic benefits of considering the earth first. Additionally, being environmentally conscious is not just a good idea for mother nature, but studies prove it is one of the best ways to keep yourself and everyone living in your home, healthy too.
There’s no better time to evaluate how “green” your home is now. More and more homeowners see the benefits of making their home a more environmentally friendly place. After all, with a patch of floating plastic in the ocean twice the size of Texas floating between California and Hawaii, using less waste should always be top of mind.
Going green for an environmentally friendly home and a healthier lifestyle does not always mean a lot of renovation or a hefty price tag. An environmentally friendly home will increase your comfort and safety while ultimately lowering your utility bills. Use these tips to create an environmentally friendly home.
Environmentally Friendly Home Solution: Get Serious About Water
You might be surprised that we begin by discussing water for an environmentally friendly home. After all, when people think about sustainability it is quite often left out of the picture. Sustainability usually relates to homeowners’ energy consumption. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average household uses 10,972 kilowatthours (kWh), which is approximately 914 kWh per month. This number can always be lower and our Fairmarket homeowner tips below can help. Yet, water plays a big role, too.
Your environmentally friendly home has an impact based on water, too. It is time to get serious about water use. Based on information from the U.S. Geological Survey, the average person uses anywhere between 80 to 100 gallons of water every day. The largest water consumption comes from toilet flushes, showers, and baths.
Having a holistic approach to an environmentally friendly home can help you get serious about every aspect of sustainability. Taking the time to fix any leaks that may be inside your home or outside, can make a huge difference. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that a leaky faucet in the average household can cause approximately 10,000 gallons of wasted water per year.
The Proof is in the Numbers
On average, ten percent of all homes in the United States have leaks wasting at least 90 gallons per day. Those numbers are shocking. Not only for the aspect of an environmentally friendly home but also for your utility bills. It is important to note that the most common areas for leaks are found in leaky valves, dripping faucets, and toilet flappers.
If you suspect a leak, a Fairmarket contractor can come take a look and fix the problem. The contractor can also evaluate the rest of your home for any potential leaks inside or outside your home. Leaking faucets in the bathroom, kitchen, or the house outside can mean trouble. In addition, the Fairmarket contractor can install a low-flow shower head and water-saving toilet. Another energy saving option is installing a tankless water heater. Although the upfront cost is more expensive than a traditional water heater, homeowners will save money and energy in the long run.
Installing a tankless water heater to create a more environmentally friendly home depends on a variety of factors. The age of your home and water use are just a few. Talk to your Fairmarket contractor before making any major decisions. These small changes can make a huge difference in ensuring you have an environmentally friendly home. A low-flow shower head is easy to get used to and will reduce the water use of a family of four by 160,000 liters of water per year. Talk to your Fairmarket contractor about all the possibilities for your bathrooms and kitchen faucets.
Environmentally Friendly Home Solution: Install a Smart Meter
One of the biggest culprits in energy use is heating and air conditioning. When the weather gets cold, it can be easy, and all too tempting, to leave the heat running. In many cases, homeowners run the heat far longer than they actually need. Sometimes the homeowner is not even at home while the heater runs. An environmentally friendly home means taking all of these factors into account. Do not run the heater longer than you actually need.
To avoid wasting energy and money, have your Fairmarket contractor discuss with you the various aspects of a smart meter. Installing a smart meter keeps the temperature of your home regulated efficiently. It stays at the right temperature all the time so you remain comfortable. Regulating the heating in your home is one of the easiest ways to create a more environmentally friendly home.
A smart meter is great because it can be programmed to turn on only at specific times of the day. For example, it can heat up the house first thing in the morning so you are not shivering when you get out of bed. It can cool down at night when you are tucked into the covers. A smart meter can adjust to your work schedule and lifestyle so you are always comfortable. Using a smart meter for your environmentally friendly home helps to reduce both your energy bills and your carbon footprint.
Efficiently Insulate Your Home
Not only does making your home more efficient lower your bills while you live in your home, but it also increases the value of your home. One such way to do both is by efficiently insulating your home. This includes ensuring the insulation in the attic is patched. An environmentally friendly home uses as little energy as possible. A well-insulated home holds in heat. But insulating a home does not only mean actual insulation. Throw rugs and carpeting hold in more heat, too. Cracks in the hardwood can also lead to energy inefficiency, too.
Think about the age and condition of your roof. If there are holes or patches, you could be losing heat that way. Depending on the age of your roof, a new one may provide better insulation and energy efficiency. There are a variety of options that may not require a completely new roof, so talk to your Fairmarket contractor.
Also, take a look at your windows. This is an often-overlooked area where heat can easily escape. An inefficient home means that you are throwing money out the window! Consider double glazing your windows if you have not done that yet.
Environmentally Friendly Home Solution: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Not surprising, the lights in our home play a huge role in overall energy efficiency. Having an environmentally friendly home does not simply mean remembering to turn the light off when you leave the room. While that is absolutely part of it, the actual light bulbs are also important. From the living room to basement, bedroom, and everywhere in between, consider using LED light bulbs. Short for Light Emitting Diode, LED lights are better alternatives to old, incandescent bulbs.
Despite being around for a long time, LED bulbs have taken a long time to become popular. Yet once homeowners discover how easy and efficient they are, they become hooked! A Fairmarket contractor can update your bulbs and add strips of LED lighting to your kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom, or anywhere else in your house that needs lighting. You will notice a difference in your energy bill as well as the overall look. An environmentally friendly home that uses LED lights actually feels much brighter than traditional bulbs used in homes.
Talk to your Fairmarket contractor about making the switch for all your indoor and outdoor lighting. It makes a lot of sense and it does not cost much to replace the bulbs.
Install Solar Panels
Installing solar panels is one of the best ways to go completely clean with your electricity. In some cases, homeowners make enough energy that they sell it back to the grid. The upfront cost is steep, but the long-term investment will eventually save you thousands in energy bills. For most homeowners, solar panels are less about saving money, and more about the opportunity to help the environment. Talk to your Fairmarket contractor about getting started and installing solar panels.
Environmentally Friendly Home Solution: Create a Compost Pile
Instead of wasting table scraps opt to turn them into compost. The rich soil made from a compost pile is fantastic for your backyard. You might be surprised how much of the food you and your family throw away can be turned into rich compost. A compost bin in your garden is easy to set up and easy to fill with any and all food waste.
If any or all of the above options sound like something you want to implement for your own home, contact a Fairmarket contractor. They will be happy to discuss options and alternatives for your home to be more eco-friendly. Contact your Fairmarket contractor today!
