What does going green mean?
Going green is a popular phrase being used today, but not everyone know exactly what it means. Chances are, you have heard it referred to quite a lot. In essence, it refers to using various everyday methods to help save the world and its environment. Many people consider going green to be an actual lifestyle; for them, it means basing your actions on working to save the world. From the smallest details to the most sweeping aspects of life, saving the world by implementing a green lifestyle is something that more and more people are aiming to do. Going Green is certainly the newest trend in the construction industry, but not everyone knows how to go about it. I will explain a few ways you can make your house greener and save you a little green (money).” Danny Garcia, owner of Rhino Design Build, LLC in San Antonio, Texas.
Attic Insulation: Adding more attic insulation will help stop heat transfer during the summer and heat loss during the winter. This will help save you money on your monthly electric bill. A good rule of thumb on knowing whether or not you need more insulation in your attic is, if you can see the top of your floor joists, then you need more insulation. You should at least 9″ of insulation in your attic.
Radiant Barrier: This stuff will help keep your attic cooler in the summer and help lower your electricity bills each month. It works together with your insulation and blocks about 70% of the sun’s radiant heat from getting into your attic. With a cooler attic, you air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your house cool on these hot San Antonio summer days.
Windows: Replacing single pane windows with new double pane, low E windows will help the overall energy efficiency of your home. Adding some sort of window coverings that help keep direct sunlight out of the house during the day will also help the house from getting warmer than it needs to.
Programmable or Smart Thermostat: Adding this to your house is simple and a great way to save on heating and cooling costs. All you need to do is set the thermostat to change to a higher or lower setting after you leave for work in the morning and vice versa when you return home in the afternoon. There is no need to turn it off completely or leave it a low setting when you are not there.
Tankless Water Heater: Depending on the extent of their use, tankless water heaters can yield energy savings of up to 50% if they are installed in a strategic and advantageous manner. Since approximately 15% of the total energy expenditure of a typical household goes to heating water, the benefits can be very noticeable when it comes time to pay your CPS bill.
*Federal rebates are still available for a lot of these green ideas.