Green Tips

The Green Building and Remodeling buzz seems to be reaching a plateau. According to Professional Remodelers Magazine, the demand for Green Building/Remodeling has diminished along with our economy. Most homeowners feel that the costs involved in going green simply don’t provide the return on investment people are looking for.

Many areas of construction offer green options. Renewable energy, sustainable landscaping and conservation of natural resources are just a few of the ways to make your home green. The most commonly sought after green feature is energy efficiency. Ultimately, people save money by operating their homes as efficiently as possible.

In this segment we discuss some of the best ways to make your home run as efficiently as possible.

Windows

Windows are among the most commonly updated items to reflect energy efficiency. Replace leaky windows with new Energy Star qualified windows to save money. If you can’t replace windows, simply caulking around window seals and frames goes a long way toward stopping costly air flow.

Remember this: Use your window treatment wisely for the season you’re in. Keep drapes and blinds open in winter to allow the warmth of the sun to help heat your home. Close curtains and blinds during the heat of a summer day to keep your home cooler and give your air conditioner a break.

Appliances

Replace inefficient appliances like stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers with new, Energy Star qualified products. Use your microwave or toaster oven whenever possible instead of the conventional oven. Microwave ovens and toaster ovens use less energy than conventional ones.

HVAC

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling.

Change your air filter regularly. Check it monthly, and change it as often as necessary. A dirty air filter restricts air flow causing your system to work harder to keep your home comfortable.
Seal your ducts. Use duct sealant or foil tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts in attics, crawlspaces, basements and garages.
Install a programmable thermostat to control the heating and cooling in your home.
Install an Energy Star qualified heating and cooling system if possible. If your HVAC is more than 10 years old or is no longer keeping your home comfortable you may be in need of a new HVAC system.
Use window treatments properly according to the season to help your system run more efficiently.

Water Faucets

Replace outdated kitchen and bath faucets with Low Flow faucets. These faucets use as much as 40% less water than conventional faucets or about 2.5 gallons per minute compared to the standard 4 gallons per minute. If you are not able to replace your faucets, install aerators to the existing faucets to reduce water usage. Low Flow faucets will not only reduce water consumption, but also save on energy required for heating water.

Replace the toilet with a more efficient model. Newer toilets require less water to operate than older models. If you are not able to replace it, try adding a toilet dam to the tank. Simply fill a water bottle and placing it in the tank. Take care to keep the bottle away from moving parts.

Lighting

Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. Fluorescent bulbs use less electricity to operate and have a longer usage life than standard incandescent bulbs.

Air Leaks

Air leaks can contribute to as much as 30% of your heating and cooling costs. Areas that may have significant air leaks are windows, doors and attic accesses. Air leaks can be corrected easily and affordably by using caulk around windows and doors with gaps ½ inch or less. For larger gaps try using closed cell foam or rope caulk. Weather stripping can be used around doors and attic access to reduce the amount of air flow.

Insulation

Proper insulation is one of the most effective ways to maximize energy efficiency.

Before you insulate make sure that all the air leaks in your home have been corrected. Insulation may make it more difficult to find and access air leaks. Penetrations in the sheet

rock such as ceiling fan boxes, recessed can lights and ceiling lights are often overlooked areas for air leaks. Check attics and crawlspaces for existing ventilation. Ensure that any insulation you add will not cover or block these vents. Check for exposed wiring in areas where insulation will be added.

Areas most affected by the addition of insulation are attic and exterior walls. Blown in cellulose insulation is the most common and effective for attic floors. Consider installing batting or foam on attic rafters. Remember to ensure that any and all water leaks have been addressed before adding attic insulation.
Take care with adding insulation to exterior walls as blocking, and wiring within the wall cavity can cause blockage when filling with blown in cellulose insulation.

By addressing any of these possible issues in your home you can easily and affordably help your home run more efficiently.