How to Make Your Home More Green
Green Remodeling
There are many benefits for choosing greener options whether you are doing some basic home remodeling projects or preparing your house for sale. Abbe Edelman is a NY property appraiser who can tell you of the value of making greener choices when it comes to home improvements. One benefit for homeowners who are planning on placing their home on the market is that some projects can increase the overall value of the home. For those who are remaining in the home it can mean real savings on energy bills. Some green home remodeling projects may not influence the property appraisal as much, but they will influence a potential buyer greatly as more people are choosing to make their homes greener. No matter if you are planning to sell, or planning to stay there are some ways that you can make your home greener.
Lighting Options that are Greener
There was a day when the incandescent light bulb was the only choice in home lighting. The trouble is that they are not energy efficient and there are greener options available. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) are one of the most efficient options available as they can save a homeowner about $60 per bulb over incandescent lighting options. Some people are not fond of the type of light that is produced, so they may prefer the LED. They are much greener than an incandescent bulb, but not quite as efficient as the CFL.
Going Green with Heating and Cooling
There are several ways to “green up” a home’s heating and cooling systems. It is always a good idea to inspect the home’s level of insulation and add some in key areas where heated or cooled air can escape. Inside walls and attics are two places which can be costly if there is not enough insulation. Installing ceiling fans can be much more efficient than using the older stand alone models. They can help keep the home at a comfortable level while saving on electrical bills. And for a larger home remodeling project, changing out the older heat and air conditioning unit with a newer energy efficient model can mean substantial savings on utility bills. A modern HVAC system can help keep the home comfortable whether heating or cooling and do so for much less money going to the utility companies.
Tankless Hot Water Heater
Many homes still have the traditional hot water heater that works all day and all night to keep 40 or 50 gallons of water hot at all times just in case it is needed. The new tankless water heater only heats water when it is needed; on an on-demand basis. Instead of working constantly to keep water hot; it will heat it to a desired temperature when the hot water tap is turned on. This can save a lot of money on utility bills.
Thermostats that are Programmable
A simple way to make a home greener is to have a programmable thermostat installed. It is suggested that the thermostat be set on 78 degrees during the summer months and on 68 in the cooler months. A programmable thermostat will not only help maintain these temperatures, but it can be preset for the hours during the day when no one is at home. In the summer months, it can be set higher during the hours that occupants are at school or work and automatically return to a more comfortable temperature right before they return home. Most have varying programs that allow homeowners to use different schedules for weekends and weekdays. Programming the thermostat so that the home is not kept as cool or as warm while everyone is gone can save quite a lot on the monthly utility bills by conserving energy and making the home greener in the long run.
Lighting Options that are Greener
There was a day when the incandescent light bulb was the only choice in home lighting. The trouble is that they are not energy efficient and there are greener options available. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) are one of the most efficient options available as they can save a homeowner about $60 per bulb over incandescent lighting options. Some people are not fond of the type of light that is produced, so they may prefer the LED. They are much greener than an incandescent bulb, but not quite as efficient as the CFL.
Going Green with Heating and Cooling
There are several ways to “green up” a home’s heating and cooling systems. It is always a good idea to inspect the home’s level of insulation and add some in key areas where heated or cooled air can escape. Inside walls and attics are two places which can be costly if there is not enough insulation. Installing ceiling fans can be much more efficient than using the older stand alone models. They can help keep the home at a comfortable level while saving on electrical bills. And for a larger home remodeling project, changing out the older heat and air conditioning unit with a newer energy efficient model can mean substantial savings on utility bills. A modern HVAC system can help keep the home comfortable whether heating or cooling and do so for much less money going to the utility companies.
Tankless Hot Water Heater
Many homes still have the traditional hot water heater that works all day and all night to keep 40 or 50 gallons of water hot at all times just in case it is needed. The new tankless water heater only heats water when it is needed; on an on-demand basis. Instead of working constantly to keep water hot; it will heat it to a desired temperature when the hot water tap is turned on. This can save a lot of money on utility bills.
Thermostats that are Programmable
A simple way to make a home greener is to have a programmable thermostat installed. It is suggested that the thermostat be set on 78 degrees during the summer months and on 68 in the cooler months. A programmable thermostat will not only help maintain these temperatures, but it can be preset for the hours during the day when no one is at home. In the summer months, it can be set higher during the hours that occupants are at school or work and automatically return to a more comfortable temperature right before they return home. Most have varying programs that allow homeowners to use different schedules for weekends and weekdays. Programming the thermostat so that the home is not kept as cool or as warm while everyone is gone can save quite a lot on the monthly utility bills by conserving energy and making the home greener in the long run.