Optimizing Your Home Eco-Systemby Mary Shacklett There are numerous ecology-friendly options for home builders - whether they have an existing home or are planning to build one. The Energy Outreach Center of Olympia offers consulting, seminars and a full library of information on the alternatives. Energy Outreach has concentrated on the key aspects of home building and remodeling. The Center offers ideas and solutions for building with recycled materials, building with energy conservation and efficiency in mind, and building environments that are free of contaminants and toxins. Here are some tips on maintaining and building home-based systems that are ecology-friendly and that will save you money: Heating and Insulating Heating bills can be reduced if you take charge of your heating situation by maintaining home energy efficiency and by specifically improving the efficiency of your home heating system. Caulking, weather-stripping, insulating and using storm windows all assist in keeping heat inside the home where it will not escape. Utility companies can assist you by auditing your bills, inspecting your home, and making energy-saving suggestions. A first step is to assess your existing heating system and how well it meets your home's heating requirements. Older oil furnaces can be upgraded by decreasing burner sizes or installing a flame retention burner. Gas furnaces can be improved with the installation of an electronic ignition. Ductwork can be augmented for electric furnaces. Setting back thermostats, tuning up furnaces periodically, changing air filters and cleaning around furnaces are also good maintenance procedures. Building insulation can additionally assist in keeping the heat you have inside of your home. It is especially useful in attic, floor and wall cavities. Some environmental and health hazards are associated with different types of insulation, and are being addressed by manufacturers. Fiberglass is being encapsulated or "wrapped" to prevent direct exposure, and makers of rigid foam products are seeking substitutes for chemicals that deplete ozone. If you have an older home and are contemplating enhancing its insulation, it is a good idea to inspect the home for leaks. Leaks frequently occur where there is uncompleted construction, and often are found in utility rooms, basements, and behind cabinets and storage areas. The Energy Outreach Center can be hired to perform an audit of your residence for leaks. Common leak-proofing techniques include caulking gaps up to a half inch in width; using backing rod when the joint to be caulked is deeper than it is wide; installing a carpet pad or fiberglass insulation for holes larger than two inches; weather-stripping windows and doors; sealing ducts; and patching drywall and plaster. Using Solar Energy Solar energy opportunities are optimized in new home construction, but can also be applied to existing residences. Daylighting refers to using solar instead of artificial light during the day. Daylighting can be enhanced by designing in skylights, windows and solar tubes. The same solar light can be used as "passive" heating for your home. If you use higher levels of insulation and limit the amount of glass, solar heat use and retention can be maximized. However, you will want to assess whether you have adequate sunlight exposure on your property first. Solar collectors on the roof can provide a natural means of heating your water supply, and solar photovoltaics are capable of converting sunlight into electricity. For both systems, you will want a backup system in times of inadequate supply. Reusable and Ecologically Friendly Building Materials The Energy Outreach Center is an excellent resource point for information on recycled and energy-efficient building materials. Additionally, there are several projects going on in straw bale and other alternative material construction of homes throughout the Northwest, as well as in recycled wood products. Water use can be reduced by using low-volume toilets that use 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush, instead of standard toilets that use 5 gallons per flush. Mary Shacklett is a staff writer for the Green Pages.
Back to Home page. |
