Designing and building a house for energy efficiency is not at all easy. It requires knowledge and expertise in the field of architecture and home design. If you wish to build an energy-efficient house, then here are architectural tips that can help you with your goal.
Install Solar Panels
If you have a house with a roof that is facing east or south, then solar panels are the best solution. The highest amount of sun exposure in most parts of the world falls between 9 am and 3 pm between these two points. A good installer will help you determine how many panels to install on your home. A typical 2,000-square-foot house can have up to 20 solar panels installed, depending on the number of sunny days per year in your location. A good idea is to consult a few installers before zeroing down on one for this job.
When choosing a reputable company for this purpose, whether it’s green energy with Skyline Solar or from another supplier and installer, you need to check the quality of their work and warranty period. You can even get quotes online by filling in your location and size of the house on some solar panel installation websites. This will help you shortlist a few companies that provide services near your area.
Clean the Dryer Vents Regularly
By regularly cleaning dryer vents you can improve your home’s energy efficiency by 10% or more. You need to remove lint build-up from every section of the vent, especially those that are inside walls and floors. It is best to clean at least once a month if you have an electric dryer and twice a year if you have gas or oil dryers installed in your home.
Always unplug your clothes dryer before attempting any repairs or inspections on it as they pose serious fire hazards if not handled with care.
Use Duct Sealing Tape
If you are among those who lose heat through the air ducts, then you can consider taking steps to improve your home’s energy efficiency by sealing the leaks in the ducts. You need to purchase quality duct sealing tape and other materials for this purpose from a leading hardware store in your area before starting work on it. It is best if you take help from someone who has done this before instead of attempting the repairs yourself. Although it might seem like an easy job, handling these tasks can be dangerous if not done with extreme care and caution.
When using tape for closing holes or penetrations in walls, make sure that you do not leave any gaps at the joints of adjoining sheets.
Install CFL Bulbs
Lighting accounts for up to 20% of your home’s energy consumption and replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs can help reduce this number considerably. You should take the trouble to replace all old light fixtures, lamps, and other lighting appliances in your home with high-efficiency CFLs that consume less electricity than the traditional ones. This is one small step that you can take towards preserving the environment by reducing carbon emissions and conserving valuable resources like coal, gas, or oil that are rapidly depleting from the planet due to excessive commercialization.
Remember to never dispose of fluorescent tubes with regular garbage as they contain mercury which makes them hazardous waste materials. It is best to consult local recycling plants or hazardous waste disposal centers to find out about appropriate ways of recycling them.
Install Low-Flow Faucets and Shower Heads
Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads and other water appliances in your home is an effective way to conserve water without compromising on the quality of your life. The high cost of installing these items can be recovered within a few months through reduced utility bills by using less water every day. It also helps you become more environmentally responsible as far as conserving natural resources is concerned. You should take care to purchase top-quality fixtures for this purpose that are certified by green energy-sustaining organisations like Global Green USA or WaterSense to ensure optimum performance over the lifetime of the product. This will help you stay away from repairs and problems in the long term.
Install Solar Pool Heating Systems
Installing a solar pool heating system in your home will help you reduce carbon emissions significantly while saving money on your energy bills too. You can choose from a variety of panels available today that are suitable for all types of swimming pools ranging from small above-ground models to professional-grade systems used by resorts and large commercial establishments across the country.
You need to take into consideration the size of your pool and other factors like shading, roof orientation, etc while choosing to ensure maximum efficiency for heating water.
Even though you might not always be able to completely eliminate your home’s energy consumption and carbon footprint, following these simple tips can help you preserve the environment in a sustainable manner. It is best if you take the advice of an expert before installing any solar panels or related devices for restoring power in your house since it makes work easier and also ensures optimum results over time.