A Discussion about Green Energy Alternatives for the House

In today’s market, the options for sources of alternative energy can be very difficult to implement for both home owners and contractors alike. This is due to the high upfront costs required for acquiring and deploying these types of solutions. The initial investment tend to be so expensive that people simply don’t have the cash available for purchasing the system.

If, in the other hand, the equipment for green energy is installed and provisioned while the home is in its construction phase, then this will unfortunately increase the final cost of the property thus affecting its ability to be sold.

On the other hand, fossil fuels are causing a great deal of damage to the planet,  and their use needs to stop as soon as possible. In our opinion, the need for government intervention is inminent in this sector so that green buildings become a reality for the majority of us.

Some of the many technologies used for building green homes are: photovoltaics, energy-efficient appliances, solar hot water, geothermal heat, heat reflecting windows and loft insulation. Each one of these offers its own degreet of efficiency and cost.

The most expensive technology is photovoltaics but, if you plan to live in the same home for a long time then photovoltaics can be a good cost-saving option. In some cities, the government is now offering subsidies for installing photovoltaic systems.

In order to effectively convert our homes to Green Homes, the following aspects are very important:

  • Deliberate planning and attention to detail from the outset covering the design through all the phases of construction.
  • Understanding of building science principles, including the principles of air, heat and moisture flow.
  • Good communication among the entire team, including the developers, architects, engineers, builders, trade contractors, and material suppliers.
  • Proper sequencing of decision-making and building activities throughout the entire design and construction process.
  • Adequate training and supervision to ensure high quality construction.
  • Testing and verifying performance both during and after construction, and establishing a feedback loop to improve future designs based on the testing results.
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The important subjects you need to understand and review while working on green buildings or homes are:

  • Decrease Energy Use
  • Conserving Water
  • Choosing Green Materials
  • Reducing Waste
  • Protecting the health of the people
  • Site Selection

In order to keep down your energy consumption, follow these simple guidelines:

Televisions and other electronic equipment draw power even when they are turned off. Do you even know how much power your typical kitchen appliances use? For example, even small devices such as a rice cooker can end up costing a lot in power bills – check out this rice cooker power consumption guide for example. Plug electronics into a power strip and turn off the power strip when not in use.Use fresh air cooling strategies before air conditioning, including ceiling fans and window fans. If you install a room air conditioner, choose one that carries the EnergyStar label.Replace bulbs with EnergyStar labeled bulbs.Turn out the lights when you are not in the room.

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