How to Make Your Home More Environmentally Friendly
At this point all I know is that our environment is in danger. But for many of us, the question of how we can help with our already hectic schedules is one that keeps popping up. I’m not talking about getting out and volunteering at an even (which is amazing) but small things that you can do every single day to make a difference. Here are three simple, and easy ways that you can help take care of our environment from your own home
Lighting
In terms of lighting, LEDs are
the way to go. They save on energy, and no other light lasts as long. On
average, LEDs last about 25,000 hours. That’s 22 years! And with advancements
in LED lighting over the past few years, the options range from dimmable LEDs
to LEDs for chandeliers, to strips that you can install underneath your kitchen
cabinetry. Yes, LEDs are more expensive, so if a complete changeover is not in
your budget, focus on slowly making the switch. Start with the lights you use
most often. Making that simple changeover will give you the biggest payoff on
saving energy and supporting the environment.
Go Low-Flow
Installing low-flow aerators on
kitchen and bathroom faucets is an inexpensive and simple way to save water and
money. Faucet aerators reduce water consumption by as much as 50 per cent, and
you’re also saving on the cost of heating the water. Consider installing a
low-flow showerhead too. Standard shower heads have flow rates around 20 litres
per minute. That means that an average five-minute shower uses more than 100
litres of water. Think of how many family members in your home take a shower
every day. Now that’s a lot of water! The low-flow showerhead can save half of
that water without compromising on shower quality.
Low-flow toilets (or low-flush toilets) use significantly less water than full-flush toilets. Thirty percent of the water consumption in your home is from toilet use. And the older the toilet, the greater the consumption. More recent models use six litres of water per flush, and with ultra-low-flow toilets, as little as three litres of water is used per flush.
Insulation and Air Leaks
Inadequate insulation and air
leaks in your home will result in your furnace and air conditioner working
overtime. This causes huge energy loss and an increase in your bills.
Do you notice icicles hanging from your roof? Are there areas on your roof where the snow has melted? This is a sure sign that heat is escaping through your attic, causing the snow to melt. As the water drains down the roof to the roofline, it refreezes, causing icicles on the overhang. Remember, your attic is a cold zone; it should be the same temperature as the outside. You want to seal between the conditioned living space and the attic; you don’t want to seal between the attic and the outside. Airflow in the attic is important.
The roof vents and soffits should always be clear of insulation to allow for proper ventilation and seal off any air leaks with caulking. The same goes for windows and doors – check for air leaks to prevent heat from escaping in the winter, and cool air escaping in the summer. Properly sealing the building envelope will go a long way towards saving energy and controlling costs.
A simple thermal imaging inspection done by a professional can detect temperature variations in walls, ceilings, and around windows and doors. It will give you a clear idea of where energy may be escaping from your home.