Spec PlanT: Green Living
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introduction
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saving energy
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green energy
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eco-living
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introduction
Spec Plan-T looks at green living - where you make home improvement changes that helps to reduce energy costs and preserve the environment. It also gets into eco-living for sustainability.
Page Topics:
planU: other amenities
planS: garage, pathways
First Topic: Saving Energy
spec plan-T: green living
Saving Energy
what you need to know —
Green living is about reducing the consumption of energy that has an impact on the environment. We can do this by installing energy saving appliances and materials that reduce our use of energy.
These include the following:
1) HVAC Controls:
HVAC, which refers to heating - ventilation - air conditioning, is the appliance that consumes the most about of energy in the home.
The first task is to make sure you are using energy-efficient HVAC systems for cooling and warming. This would include having control systems where rooms not occupied can be turned off; or turned down during the night or day hours where use is not needed.
Installing smart thermostats can help for those controls. You can set it automatically - or by WIFI - to turn on and off at certain hours. And if you are leaving for vacation, you can simply control the HVAC from your mobile device.
Other ways to keep energy costs down:
- seal or replace any leaky duct system to keep air from escaping - make sure you are using the right duct size
- keep duct system clean and free from debris
- change HVAC filters regularly
- perform regular maintenance on HVAC systems
- take advantage of ceiling and other fans to push heated/cooled air around
- trim any growth away from outside HVAC units.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| ways a smart thermostat helps save money | |
2) LED Light Bulbs:
Change out your existing light bulbs for LED light bulbs. LED use the least amount of energy for the equivalent amount of light for every room in your home, including the garage and outdoor lighting.
View the savings diagram below:
In the event that you have a light fixture that don't take LED, consider replacing the fixture. The savings in energy use will eventually replace the cost.
Though LEDs do save you money, they still use electricity to operate. So you might want to view our home automation module to learn how you can install smart lighting that automatically turns off throughout the home and yard..
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| the evolving styles of LED lighting | |
3) Water Meters:
Water usage can add up - particularly the use of hot water for bathing or showering.
The best way to save water is installing low-shower faucets, water meters, low-flow toilets, and arid gardening.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Ways to Conserve and Save Water | |
4) Energy Efficient Doors and Windows:
You can have the best HVAC system installed, but it won't do much in saving energy if the air slips through doors and windows. Energy efficients door and windows helps keep energy use inside the home.
If replacing doors and windows is not an option, then consider window seals and door weather stripping to seal up areas when heat or cool air can escape.
Another option is installing motorized window blinds that can automatically open and close depending on the season:
- For Summer:
close the blinds during the day to keep sunlight from warming up the room. Program the window blinds to open automatically prior to sundown for that night time view. - For Winter:
close the blinds during the night to provide a blanket over the windows to keep warm air in. Then when the sun rises, have them automatically open to allow sunlight in to warm up the room.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Are Motorized Roller Shades Worth It? | |
Ideas for Doors and Windows
Collection of Home Door and Window Ideas addressing:
5) Proper Insulation:
Proper insulation is also needed to make your home energy efficient. This is especially true for the attic area where warm air rises and escapes to the outside if the attic is not properly insulated.
Insulation will be required for the attic, outside walls, around window and door installations, and in attached garages.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Determine the Correct Insulation R-Value | |
Home Ventilation:
As we make our homes more energy efficient – through insulation, weatherstripping, sealed windows and doors, etc. – we make them more drum-tight to prevent outside air from flowing through.
We then find ourselves breathing in stale air that can cause allergens and illness.
Allowing more free air to flow by opening windows and installing ceiling fans to circulate the outside air brings in fresh air – but fresh air may have outside allergens and pollutants that may irritate.
That is where air purification systems can be helpful to keep air clean and flowing – thus clean ventilated air.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Maintaining Clean, Ventilated Air For Your Home | |
spec plan-T: green living
Green (Renewable) Energy
what you need to know —
Having renewable energy sources can reduce further our consumption of external energy needs. The less we use is savings in your pocket and help with the environment.
Solar Power
Solar is the most practical way to convert sunlight to renewable energy. It can be placed on the roof and/or in a sunny spot in your yard to generate added electricity for your needs.
You can use solar panels, solar shingles, solar water heating, solar lighting, and other solar appliances that generate energy electrical needs and heating water.
Some local utilities offer by-back credits. For example, your solar panels may be generating more electricity than you are currently using. So the utilities will "take" your excess electricity and provide you credits that can be used when your consumption is greater than your generation, like during the evening.
Check with your utility provider for information. Another option is to have a generator that stores excess electricity for use later on.
Depending on your area, your solar system might generate all of your electrical needs.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| 4 Advantages of Home Solar Panel Installation | |
Ideas for Solar Power
Collection of home solar panel ideas addressing:
Wind Power:
Wind power is another alternative energy source that could be practical for homes in windy climates. A small wind turbine(s) attached to the home can generate some electricity. But greater amounts of electricity is produced using large turbines in an open field.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| On Windy Days – How to Enjoy, Harness and Protect | |
Geothermal:
Geothermal energy is underneath your home and yard. Systems are established where you capture the "earth's" energy from below to heat and cool your home.
Again, HVAC systems consume the most electricity. So a geothermal system will help capture energy sources readily available in the ground for HVAC purposes.
Combine this with solar and wind, you could become completely grid-free in home electrical needs.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Diagram of a Geothermal Heating System | |
Visit our Home Improvement Showcase:
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planning: green energy home |
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best sellers: utility savings |
spec plan-T: green living
Eco-Living
what you need to know —
Eco-living is a family life-style change where you minimize waste. We can do this by recycling, re-using materials, and living a minimal life style where we consume less in throw-away materials.
Eliminating Waste:
This includes the following:
- re-using material instead of replacing - i.e., grocery bags
- recycling materials instead of throwing in the trash
- reducing our wants for materials that are not necessary
- using automation to turn off lighting and other electrical items when not in use
- limit use of plastics - i.e., re-usable water canister instead of plastic water bottles
- using more natural products
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Eco Friendly Homes For Sustaining a Better Environment | |
Composting:
Eco-friendly living is reducing the amount of kitchen trash that we throw away daily. Reduced trash means reduced land fills – that leads to better land management.
A backyard compost bin allows you to discard family food items and other biodegradable items without filling up the garbage can. By managing the compost properly, you can develop nutrient-rich compost for growing food, potting followers, and spreading among trees and scrubs.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Eco-Living – How, Why, and What | |
Rain Harvesting:
Water is a precious commodity in many parts of the world. So if and when the rain falls, try harvesting the runoff from the roof, gutters and other areas into a rain barrel or storage bin.
Treated water can be used for showering, cooking and laundry. You can also use the rainwater for gardening and/or emergency use when droughts impact an area.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| 5 Advantages of Rainwater Harvesting | |
Starting a Garden:
Eco-living is becoming more self-efficient in food production and processing. You start that by building a vegetable garden and fruit orchard where food can be produced, harvested and canned for future use.
If land space is not available, you can then consider hydroponic gardening. This can be accomplished along the sunny side of your home, garage or driveway. Another option is a small greenhouse in the backyard.
With the proper system, you can produce enough food for the entire family.
| view this guides for assistance (new win) | |
| how-what-and why use hydroponics | |
spec plan-T: green living
Getting Started
what you need to do —
Step 1: develop the plan
- take a completed draft of your green living spec sheet to your architect or landscaper, who will can customize a landscaping plan or revise an existing plan that meets your specs.
- use your spec sheet to bid the green project out to contractors
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green living spec sheet |
Step 2: get required building permits
- It will either be up to you or the contractor to obtain each permit.
all about permits - Check with your local jurisdiction regarding site and change permits:
local government for permit information
Step 3: find pre-screened contractors and other service providers
| Find Energy Efficient Services | |||
| Insulation | Windows-Insulation | ||
| Ducts & Vents | Thermostats | ||
| Roof Installation | Skylights | ||
| Home Automation | Generators | ||
| top-rated, pre-screened local contractors | |||
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FREE: download contractor selection | ||
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spec plan-T: green living
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