From Guest Blogger Joel Smith: Six Benefits of an Energy Efficient Home Every Owner Should Know
In the modern world today, people are connected to each other virtually. From ordering food, to getting a mode of entertainment, to making business deals, or even booking tickets, everything can be done using the internet and a smartphone/computer. Hence majority of the people spend time indoors, whether it’s their workplace or home. Using energy efficient appliances not only reduces the electricity intake, but also has less greenhouse-gas emissions, higher longevity, and also costs less to operate.
Benefits of an energy efficient home:
● Enhancing indoor comfort – any residential spray foam insulation experts will tell you how an energy efficient building should be able to control the flow of air and regulate humidity and temperature.
➢ Energy-star rated windows, insulated window panes, and other air sealing work, help to keep the air inside the room warm and dry.
➢ There are mechanical/electronic ventilation systems that help to prevent unwanted moisture and pollutants from entering, and also help in circulating the air inside the room.
➢ High efficient furnaces and boilers help in controlling airflow inside the building, and preventing hot and cold spots in a single room, which may be harmful to the human body.
● Lower electricity bills – it is an obvious fact that using energy efficient appliances would definitely reduce the cost of electricity per month for every home.
➢ Using CFL lamps/bulbs in place of outdated tube-lights/bulbs saves a lot of energy. In addition to that, they have a longer lifespan.
➢ Using energy-star rated air-conditioners and refrigerators, not only reduces the cost on electricity, but also causes less damage during power surges.
● Improving indoor air quality – the air indoors is being polluted every second. There are carpets with dust, microwaves and refrigerators emitting radiation, and even furnaces, computers and paint on the walls. Controlling the airflow with mechanical/electronics ventilation, guarantees that the air inside is being refreshed with outside air as often as possible, also keeping in check, the pollutants and moisture content.
● Minimizes moisture problems – statistics show that 10-50 liters of moisture are released inside an average house each day. Humidity levels over 50% can cause airborne problems which may be irreparable. In fact humidity levels over 40% itself can create massive air quality related problems. Hence it is advisable to replace all moist/stale air inside a room, every 3-4 hours. Finding a balance between the minimization of air leaks and appropriate ventilation is also an important factor to be checked. The solution is installation of mechanical/electronics vents as mentioned above.
● Boosts the resale value of your house – a building with energy efficient appliances is an investment for the long term.
➢ They have longer lifecycles, lower maintenance cost, and lower operational cost.
➢ Statistically speaking, energy efficient houses have proved to have lower tenant turnover rates, and are also occupied quicker. This is an obvious fact when you compare the comfort levels.
➢ The better air quality and comfortable temperature also results in increased staff productivity, in any commercial building.
● Lowers green-house gas emission – lowering the amount of greenhouse gas emission into the environment, is an important step towards reducing the impact of climate change. Statistics say that a 20-30 year old house has the potential to lower the greenhouse gas emission by 4.5 tons a year, by installing energy efficient appliances. In addition to that, everyone loves an eco-friendly organization. The heads of the organizations can also be safe from law suits filed against them by an NGO or environment improving organization.
