Today’s Green Homes
Posted by Jerry Dyess | Filed under Business
Today’s “green” homes are even more efficient than those made just a few years ago. Today’s green homes have many different innovations incorporated into them so that they’re even more efficient and better at saving energy. These EnergyStar homes are becoming increasingly common in every area of the country.
What does it mean to be an EnergyStar home? An EnergyStar home has to be at least 15% more efficient than those homes built before the year 2004. This type of home also has to have other features that allow consumers to save energy, thus making them at least 20 to 30% more efficient than those houses or residences not marked EnergyStar.
The EnergyStar program begins with new construction, and today’s green homes have many energy saving features. For example, today’s wall insulation is not fiberglass. Instead, it’s recycled cellulose insulation that provides better insulation than fiberglass and also fills up wall spaces and those in the attic much better than fiberglass did. You can also install this type of insulation either in dry form or by using it as a semi liquid that you can spray between the walls. Besides these benefits, cellulose is a much better thermal protectant than standard types of insulation are.
Power sources, too, can be changeable with a green home. You don’t just have to be connected to a power grid, but can incorporate renewable power sources including wind, solar, and geothermal energy, depending on where you live. If necessary, you can also combine different types of power sources (such as solar and wind) so that your power source is more reliable. You can put this type of “alternative energy source” supply in an existing home as well as in new construction. Getting your power from these types of alternative energy sources can give you many advantages, such as not having utility bills he is high (or not having utility bills at all), and not having to depend on the power grid for your power, such that you will be immune to brown or black outs, as those using conventional power sources might.
Along with alternative power sources, there are also high efficiency appliances that are readily available, at costs comparable to other regular appliances. These can include inline, tankless water heaters, highly efficient heating and cooling systems, refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers and clothes washers. You are not limited to power sources here either. If you are still connected to the grid, you can use clean burning propane or natural gas.
For windows, there are many high efficiency windows with double panes. Some are infused with inert gases between the panes to help keep out harmful UV rays, and at the same time, keep heat and air conditioning from escaping. There are less expensive ways to save energy on windows, there are many types of film that can be applied directly to the window panes that provide the same protection.
There are many new techniques available to make your home more efficient right at the start, but the question many first time home builders ask is how much more does a green home cost to construct? The answer is that these homes can be up to 17% higher in initial cost to build, but the energy savings alone can pay for these extra costs.
You can find out more about EnergyStar homes and appliances online. Many of the materials, like the cellulose insulation, inline water heaters, and many other green items can be found at local home improvement stores, saving on shipping costs. There are many websites for those do it yourself people that provide plans and kits for alternative energy sources.
About the author: Jerry Dyess has been specializing in the Texas Electricity market segment for many years and written articles on Texas Electric prices.
Tags: Business, construction, energy, green energy, home building, home design
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