Being environmentally friendly is a huge concern for most people today; many would like nothing better than to make their homes better for the environment and, as a side benefit, lower their bills. There are many home renovation projects that can enable this to happen. You can not only feel good about your home and find your energy and fuel bills to be far lowered, but you may also merit some tax breaks.
Solar energy and thermal heating panels that get installed on one’s roof are major energy savers. Many people have started putting these on their houses because, though the installation and panels themselves are expensive, they will reduce your bills enough to eventually pay for themselves. This is why many people prefer to undertake this task only if they know for certain they will remain in their homes for decades.
They take heat and energy from the sun and convert it into heat and energy for your house. It makes the consumer far less reliant on fuel and regular electricity. They require little-to-no maintenance and can barely be noticed on your roof. You can get huge tax credits for installing something so good for the environment.
Using energy-efficient insulation is a great way to reduce your energy costs. Many people use fiberglass insulation in their houses which is both good and bad. A house can be kept quite warm with this type of insulation, which means that it will require less heat energy to keep the house safe and warm. The major problem with fiberglass insulation is that it is not biodegradable, so if any of it gets thrown out, it will be a pollutant.
A smarter option would be to research what other products are available in your area. Mineral wool, for example, is a natural product made of minerals that conducts heat extremely well. The downside is that it does not protect as well against fires. There are countless options you can use. Ask your contractor or do your own research to figure out what might work best for you.
Pellet stoves are another great option to live green. Instead of using logs to power them, they only use wood pellets. The design enables them to get just as much heat out of much less wood. It has the dual purpose of making people less reliant on fuel and electricity and also keeps more trees from being chopped down. Pellet stoves are so good for the environment that they can be another large tax write-off. Energy is never wasted in them because they come with sensors so they shut off when a certain temperature is reached and turn on again when it gets cold.
Wind turbines are not quite ready for single home usage, but they will be within the next few years. All people should consider having them installed once the size and installation processes are more reasonable for private families. They harness the wind in the same manner that windmills used to, only they convert wind power into energy to power homes. They are already being used for large companies and by different governments.
There are also small things you can do to conserve your own energy. Use energy efficient lighting. Make sure that all windows and doors are draught-proofed so you do not lose heat. Create a good recycling center in your home to make separation of recyclables easier. Have timers on your appliances so they can be sure to be turned off every morning, in the event that you forget when you are running late to work.
Samantha Chung Designs specializes in bathroom and kitchen redesigns and interior design Montreal, Laval, and several other regions in Quebec, Canada.
