Sustainable Living: How to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

According to data from the Environmental Protection Agency, residential and commercial buildings account for 31% of end-use emissions. This energy demand is largely due to essential functions like heating, lighting, cooking, and cooling and corresponds to average emissions exceeding 14,020 lbs annually.

As a homeowner, you can take your commitment to sustainability and combat climate change by making a few eco-friendly adjustments to your house. These changes needn’t be expensive, either, as small adjustments — like composting and recycling — can minimize your waste and help you achieve a more eco-friendly home.

You may need to be creative in how you fund your renovation initially, but opting for eco-friendly solutions can save you money in the long run. Simple changes, like increasing natural light, can reduce your energy bill and help you save more each month. You may even be able to tap into government subsidies, as many states now offer incentives for green redesigns.

Eco-Friendly Design Principles

Achieving a low-carbon lifestyle begins with a foundational redesign of your home. You’ll need to rethink every element of your home design and aim to make proactive changes that will pay dividends down the road. Luckily, sustainable construction has been making strides and things like recycled materials, smart glass, and radiant heating and cooling are now more accessible than they ever were before.

Examples of eco-friendly design elements include:

• Insulation:Mineral wool and foam will help you maintain your indoor temperature without turning the HVAC on or dealing with tune-ups. Similarly, you can properly ventilate your space without relying on forced air by installing Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHC) units.
• High-Performance Windows: Doors and windows are responsible for plenty of heat loss during the winter months. Similarly, large windows let too much sunlight in during the summer and raise the temperature in your rooms. You can improve the thermal efficiency of these windows by installing smart glass and double-glazing.
• Renewables: Solar isn’t the only form of renewable energy. You can also invest in solutions like heat pumps, small wind turbines, and micro hydropower systems.

These design changes are intended to maximize your energy efficiency without interfering with your quality of life. For example, if you opt for smart glass and micro hydropower systems, you can keep your home cool during the summer months without any fears that you’re harming the planet.

Switching to energy-efficient appliances and electricals can save you plenty of cash, too. Current estimates suggest that programs like ENERGY STAR save consumers up to $31 billion in bills. Moving to energy-efficient appliances can also maximize the effectiveness of more costly solutions like solar panels, as you won’t need to draw additional energy from the grid.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is widely recognized as the most efficient, cost-effective means of energy production that you can install in your own home. There are plenty of governmental incentives to install solar today, too, meaning you can reduce upfront costs and break even that much sooner.

If you’re hesitant because you lack roof space, get creative. For example, if you have a carport, you can install solar carports to make the most of your home. Doing so can be extremely beneficial if you have an electric vehicle and want to source your own energy. Additional benefits of solar panels include:

• Reduced electrical bills;
• Convenient energy storage;
• Access to tax credits.

You will, however, need to cover upfront costs of around $32,000. You may also struggle to find a solar installation solution that will suit your needs and maximize your energy yield. That said, once you do find a solution that works for your home, you may generate so much additional power that you can sell credits back to the grid and further reduce your energy bills.

Passive Solar

Solar panels can dramatically reduce your energy emissions and help you save some cash. However, solar panels aren’t the only way to harness the sun’s energy. If you live in an area that receives plenty of daylight, consider leveraging easily overlooked passive solar solutions like:

• Solar pool heaters;
• Blinds and mirrors to control natural light in your home;
• Photovoltaic cells that provide outdoor lighting;
• Solar ovens concentrate light and heat in a single point.

These passive solutions can save you money and help you lead a more eco-friendly, resilient lifestyle. Green design can future-proof you, too. You won’t need to worry about raised oil prices when you’re generating all of your own electricity and can rest easy knowing that you’re primed to pivot when temperatures rise during a global-warming-induced heatwave. This can be a real boon for your entire family, as you can keep your home cool, comfortable, and energy-efficient during a heatwave.

Conclusion

Sustainability starts with changes at home. A few simple strategies — like installing solar pool heaters or smart glass — can immediately improve your overall efficiency and reduce your energy bills. Making your home more energy-efficient will protect you against rising energy prices and regulatory changes, too. This is key, as climate change is sure to result in challenging times for homeowners who need to keep their houses cool, comfortable, and well-lit.