#Home Energy Efficiency

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When it comes to home energy efficiency upgrades, people often talk about ROI (Return on Investment), which is a percentage of money spent that you get back in savings each year, typically in the form of reduced utility bills.

As I explain in this video, home energy efficiency upgrades behave rather differently from typical financial investments like a savings account or investing in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. And these upgrades have a long list of advantages that financial investments don't:

They lower your cost-of-living, and I explain how and why this reduces your financial risk.

They have tax benefits relative to increases in income, which I also explain.

They improve your comfort and quality-of-life beyond the financial benefits.

They increase the value of your home which can benefit you if you sell the home, refinance it, or take out a home equity loan.

They lessen the load on HVAC systems, so that things like your furnace or air conditioning units wear out less and last longer before needing service or replacement.

Because of these hidden or extra benefits, I recommend pursuing even lower ROI things (like 4-6% ROI) than a lot of people advocate, because you're not just getting a low ROI, when you factor in all the other things it is often a very good deal.

Obviously, go for the highest ROI things first, but I think once you've done them, it's worth still pursuing lower-ROI options to a point.

And all of this is without even considering the environmental benefits! I'm assuming you're just trying to save money. If you care about the environment that might be a very big reason to pursue even the lower-ROI options too!

[greenatt1cs]

Green Attics

At Green Attics, our team of comfort advisors brings years of experience to ensure your home stays energy-efficient and comfortable year-round. With a passion for down-to-earth advice and a no-nonsense approach, they are dedicated to helping you find the best insulation solutions tailored to your needs.

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The Financial and Practical Benefits of Replacing Your Air Ducts

Swapping out your air ducts is a significant expenditure, but one that can yield considerable savings and enhance the air quality and efficiency of your home’s HVAC system. Gaining insight into the associated costs and potential savings will help you make a well-informed choice.

https://ecopowersteamcarpetcleaning.com/air-duct-replacement/

Upfront Costs of Air Duct Replacement

The expense of replacing air ducts varies based on several factors, such as the size of your home, the intricacy of the ductwork, and the materials selected. Typically, the cost can differ significantly, so it’s wise to obtain several quotes from reliable contractors to secure a reasonable price.

Long-Term Savings on Energy

Investing in new air ducts can lead to substantial energy savings over time. Modern, well-sealed ducts improve airflow, easing the load on your HVAC system. This heightened efficiency can slash your energy bills by up to 20%, offering significant savings throughout your HVAC system’s lifespan.

Better Air Quality and Health Advantages

A key benefit of replacing air ducts is the enhancement of indoor air quality. Outdated, leaky ducts can spread dust, mold, and other pollutants throughout your home, potentially leading to health problems. New ducts ensure cleaner air, which can alleviate allergy symptoms and boost overall respiratory health.

Prolonged HVAC System Life

Replacing your air ducts also helps extend your HVAC system’s life. By minimizing strain and ensuring efficient operation, you can avoid costly repairs and downtime. This increased longevity means additional savings by delaying the need for a complete HVAC system overhaul.

Grasping the costs and benefits of air duct replacement is essential for making an informed decision. Although the initial outlay can be hefty, the long-term energy savings, enhanced air quality, and prolonged HVAC system life make it a prudent choice. Prioritizing air duct replacement ensures a healthier and more efficient home environment.

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Why do I need a home heating survey?

Our products come in a variety of sizes and powers as well as colours. In order to ensure we recommend the correct heaters for your space, our expert heating consultants will assess the factors below and provide a quote there and then.

Our surveys are completely free and no obligation. Visit our website to book in and take the first step to future-proofing your home with Climastar products.

[dsiddhant]

The global Energy Management Systems Market is projected to reach USD 75.6 billion in 2028 from USD 40.7 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 13.2% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets™.

[futureentech-blog]

18 Home Improvement Ideas for Energy Efficiency That Will Bring Long-Term Benefits

Over the last couple of years, environmental topics made a huge breach into the mainstream. So, it’s really no surprise that with these concerns on the rise, homeowners are seeking ways to make their homes more fitting to deal with new challenges (Image by Feepik). But, energy-efficient improvements not only reduce carbon footprint but also bring some tangible real-life benefits. Lower utility…

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The Importance of Home Energy Savings and Why It's Best

As the adage goes, "Charity begins at home," and if installing a home energy monitor can contribute to that, it's worth considering. Continue reading to understand the significance of home energy efficiency!

The availability of home energy consumption has revolutionized humanity's course over the past few centuries. Amidst the buzz of renewable energy, home energy storages have emerged as key players, captivating the energy market in a fascinating manner.

With electricity rates escalating nationwide and climate change fueling discussions about consumption, home energy monitors offer the ability to measure the electricity usage in your home. This empowers you to identify opportunities for savings. While society is radically transitioning towards cleaner and more renewable energy sources, there is one crucial component often overlooked in energy technology conversations—energy storage. Without advancements in energy storage, our efforts in the battle against climate change may fall short.

Traditionally, energy consumption is straightforward. Here are a few points highlighting the importance of home energy storage/savings:

Energy storage is crucial for a zero-carbon future and investing in renewable energy storage solutions.

Energy storage solutions bring several benefits, leveraging familiar technologies like batteries.

Energy storage used to come at a significant cost, requiring an abundance of generating plants to meet the demand for electricity every second of the day.

Regardless of your motivations for home energy conservation—whether they are economic, personal, or environmental—the advantages of energy efficiency are unparalleled. Here are the top eight reasons why home energy savings are the best:

Significant reduction in utility bills: By utilizing energy-efficient appliances and making home upgrades, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that you can save anywhere from five to thirty percent on your energy bill. These appliances consume less energy throughout their service lives without compromising quality, making them an excellent way to save on your home energy consumption.

Increased property value: Did you know that every project enhancing home energy efficiency adds a fraction of its cost to the final selling price? This is great news! In the real estate market, energy-efficient homes sell at higher prices than standard homes with comparable features. With expectations of lower repair costs and reduced utility bills, a home energy monitor becomes an attractive feature in any home.

Enhanced quality of life: Energy efficiency measures result in warmer, drier, and properly ventilated homes, minimizing the risk of mold growth and illness. In fact, the financial benefits of energy-efficient buildings deliver a cost ratio of over 4 to 1, with a significant portion of those benefits attributed to health perks.

Easily minimize costs with energy savings tips: Energy expenses are often considered a burdensome cost of homeownership or running a business, with reductions typically requiring expensive renovations. However, you can easily reduce bills through simple energy-saving behaviors or minimal home energy efficiency purchases, such as advanced power strips and programmable thermostats. These have the potential to decrease utility bills without requiring much effort on your part.

Earn excellent returns on your investment: Home energy efficiency should not be seen as an expense, but rather as an investment that yields utility savings throughout the lifespan of your home appliances. Furthermore, the returns from these savings will only increase over time as energy prices continue to rise in the United States.

Moving forward, let's quickly review some common yet effective tips for home energy saving:

Hang your clothes to dry instead of using a tumble dryer.

Opt for a laptop over a desktop computer.

Always remember to switch off your power strip when not in use.

Charge your phone in Airplane mode to conserve energy.

Eliminate unnecessary data from cloud storage, as data centers consume massive amounts of energy due to their AC mechanisms to avoid overheating.

Let's all contribute to energy conservation.

[chubbychiquita]

[arc-hus]

House Ringvaartplas, Rotterdam - Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten

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Solarpunk vs Home Building

Okay, let me talk about another solarpunk topic, that we really gotta talk about: Homes. And the way we construct them. Because let's put it like that: There is a lot wrong with it.

The amount of things wrong with it depends a lot on the country - and your income bracket. But generally we do think about it wrong. Especially in the west (and let's face it: Worst in the US) we have this idea that everyone needs their own home. And in general that this home should look a certain way, should have a certain size and all of that.

Of course, I think most people active in the Solarpunk sphere do know how bad suburbia is for nature. Because of the lawns, because of the amount of concrete. All of that. It harms biodiversity.

But even if you have a super natural space around it... Let's be quite honest: Single family buildings are bad for the environment, because the per person use of basically everything is a lot worse than it is with a multi-family home/complex.

The very obvious one is heating/cooling. Because it is in fact easier to keep a multifamily home warm or cool, compared to a single family home. If you have ever lived in a multifamily home you might have noticed it yourself, that you have to heat a lot less and that the temperature in summer is also more even. (Though of course the amount also depends on the efficiacy that the house is build with.)

This has to do with the fact that there is some amount of the temperatures exchanging between the different apartments of a building.

Now, you might ask: "But what about water and electricity? You do not use less of that, right?"

Which technically is right. Still, multi-family homes will still save energy on those things. Why? Because the infrastructure is more centralized. Basically, getting the water to the house uses up less energy and material. And the same goes with electricity.

It should be noted, however, that there is a bit more complexity to this. While the heat/cooling savings basically scale quite a lot, the same is not true for water. If you build a home over a certain height, the energy will end up being used on pumping the water up.

Generally six or seven floors are the optimum in most cases.

So, if we imagine a Solarpunk city, the thing that actually makes a lot of sense is to imagine rather wide buildings with about six floors and several families living inside.

Bonus: Some ammenities can actually be shared. And be it actually something more luxurious, like a shared gym or a shared pool in the basement.

[saintartemis]

I’m not saying we should shame people, particularly flippers, who buy old homes (let’s say 1910 craftsman style), and put in new windows that may be very energy efficient, but don’t fit the overall look of the house.

But we should definitely shame them.

[hsmagazine254]

The Allure Of A-Frame Homes: Benefits And Charm

Embracing the Distinctive Appeal of A-Frame Architecture A-Frame homes have captured the imagination of homeowners with their unique design and inherent charm. These structures, characterized by their steeply-angled roofline forming the shape of an ‘A’, offer a range of benefits and aesthetic appeal. Discover the allure of A-Frame homes and why they might be the perfect choice for your next…

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Electric Boilers: A Cost Benefit Analysis

[leebrontide]

Pray for us, Tumblr. Today my wife and I are going to go rent a large and intimidating device from the hardware store to try to blow fire-retardant recycled paper insulation into the walls of our dining room. APPARENTLY the dining room used to be like a 3 season porch and it is not insulated. We’ve been just sort of sealing it off all winter, paying outrageous heating bills. I though we’d have to wait till summer to both replace the very damaged siding and put in new insulation but it turns out we can blow it in from the inside so we’re trying that. We still have a lot of cold weather ahead of us in MN. (It’s a comparatively balmy 22F right now) so it’s still well worth it to get it done this winter.

This is like a 1 hour job for ppl who know what they’re doing. But we are. Not that. And the “advice” I got from the one neighbor whose done this before consisted mainly of pitying laughter. So we’ll see how this goes! I’ll let you know.

Update: forgot the Menards is for MANY MEN and PROFESSIONALS and they only rent a 300 lb industrial machine for reason. Imagine lugging this up to your attic. Bad boy is proper steel.

We will not be deterred. I am determined to be one of those middle aged queers who does a bunch of DIY projects to their very old house. On to the next hardware store!

[raffaellopalandri]

Dream Home - Part 2

Today I want to continue the description of the ideal home my partner and I envision. I copy here again what I said about it in the first part of this post, here. In that first part, I shared with you our idea for the home itself, while today I am going to speak about its sustainability, a topic that deeply resonates with us. Photo by Emre Can Acer on Pexels.com Part 1 – The House Here is a…