Climate change and pollution are issues we can longer afford to ignore. Scientists from all over the world have issued urgent warnings about the environment. We must take them seriously so we and the future generations can still thrive on our planet. One way to do that is to build and maintain an environmentally friendly home.
Here are ways to make your home environmentally friendly in Montgomery County:
Use Eco-Friendly Construction Materials
As we know, the wanton cutting of trees for lumber as well as the indiscriminate mining of cement, iron, and other minerals used to manufacture construction materials have contributed to the environmental crises we face today.
Fortunately, there are eco-friendly and sustainable alternative building materials that don’t deplete our natural resources such as bamboo, recycled steel, Ferrock, and Richlite. These materials don’t damage the environment in any way, whether they are produced, used, or discarded. The next time you have a house built or remodeled, ask your contractor about these eco-friendly alternative building materials.
Install Solar Panels
Another way to make your home environmentally friendly in Montgomery County is to use solar energy to power up your house. Energy from solar power systems is clean and renewable. They don’t cause air and water pollution like power plants that rely on coal and natural gas. Also, it’s an investment that pays for itself because you’ll save money on utility bills and have the chance to sell back electricity to the grid.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
If you use energy generated from power plants, chances are your carbon footprint is larger than it should be. That’s because most power plants still use fossil fuels to produce electricity. One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to use energy efficient appliances. Aside from protecting the environment, using these appliances will also lower your utility bills.
Look for the Energy Star logo when purchasing appliances. As determined by standard testing procedures, an appliance receives the Energy Star rating if its energy efficiency significantly exceeds the minimum government standards. You can find more information on energy-efficient appliances on EnergyStar.gov.
Use Energy-Efficient Lighting
According to the Energy Saving Trust, LED light bulbs can reduce your carbon emissions by up to 40kg annually. Their energy efficiency rate is between 80% to 90%. In contrast, most of the electricity used up by traditional light bulbs is converted to useless heat energy. Also, LED bulbs last up to 12 times longer than traditional light bulbs. That means you don’t need to replace them as often.
Install Underfloor Heating
As the name suggests, an underfloor heating system provides consistent and efficient warmth in a room from the floor up. Compared to a radiator, it needs less heat to warm a room and therefore uses less energy. This means a smaller carbon footprint and bigger savings on utility bills. Also, unlike a fireplace, you won’t need to burn fuel to keep your home warm so you don’t pollute the air with smoke.
An underfloor heating system is easy to run and maintain, too. Plus, without a radiator or a fireplace, you get to use your wall and floor space for other things.
Use a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat has WiFi-enabled features that can be controlled remotely using a smart device. You can connect them to your central heating and air conditioning system. The system learns your home’s heating patterns so that it knows when to heat up your home or cool it down depending on the outdoor temperature.
It also has sensors that detect presence. It switches on when you enter your home and turns off when you leave. This means the system runs only when you need it. It helps prevent electricity wastage and keeps your utility bills low.
Make Your Home Environment Friendly with Proper Insulation
Insulation helps maintain the temperature in your home at comfortable levels. A well-insulated house requires less supplemental heating and cooling, which minimizes electrical consumption. You can insulate your roof, floors, walls, windows and doors.
However, keep in mind that the walls of the house are the most important part of the house to insulate because they’re the most likely to lose heat. Usually, walls account for around 30% to 40% of heat loss, followed by the roof, which accounts for about 25%.
Double or Triple Glaze Your Windows
Double or triple glazed windows are more energy-efficient than single-glazed ones. Compared to single-glazed windows, double-glazed windows can cut heat loss by up to 80%. If you live in a place where it’s perennially cold, triple-glazed windows are even better at keeping your home warm.
These windows have argon gas between panes. The gas acts as an insulator that prevents heat from escaping. This means less energy consumption and lower utility bills.
Repair Leaks Immediately
Whether it’s the water pipe, central heating, or gas pipe, any kind of leak causes waste. The direct opposite of conservation is waste, which is something you don’t want if you’re trying to make your home environment-friendly. Also, leaks can cause other problems. For instance, water leaks can lead to mold infestation. In the case of gas pipes, leaks can even be dangerous. To keep your home environment-friendly, safe, and healthy, repairing leaks is something you should never put off until later.
Buy Second-Hand Furniture
Many old but still usable pieces of furniture end up in the landfill. Some of them are made with non-biodegradable materials, which could pollute the soil for centuries. Also, many furniture pieces are made with wood, which comes from trees that were cut down.
If you want to make your home environmentally friendly, one of the best things you can do is to buy second-hand furniture. Oftentimes, all they need is a little repair and cleaning and they’ll be as good as brand-new.
Just make sure you avoid items with bad odor. Also, always check items for bed bugs and other nasty critters. Last but not least, steer clear of items that have been recalled as they might be hazardous.
You certainly need to make your home environmentally friendly, not just for the people in your life right now, but also for your future descendants. Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle will make you sleep easier at night, knowing that you did your best for your great-great grandchildren.
If you’re planning to make your home environmentally friendly in Montgomery County, Winthorpe is here to help. We’ll help you figure out the best way to make it happen.
