Insulate Your Home to Reduce Your Environmental Impact

We all know that proper insulation can keep our homes warm in winter and cool in summer. Your HVAC units have to work harder to cool or heat a place with poor insulation. Whether it is due to the poor ventilation in your home or a problem in your attic, insulation problems can raise your utility bills and increase your carbon footprint. Do you know that 40% of the energy-related CO2 emission in the atmosphere is caused by heat appliances? 

Home Heating Appliances and their Environmental Impact

How much your individual contribution is to this figure depends on where you live and what climate your area receives. Of course, your individual carbon footprint from the heating appliances will be higher if you live in a cooler area. In fact, 38% of the greenhouse gas is produced from heating and cooling appliances in the US. Add to this the percentage of carbon emission caused by the water heating appliances, and you will know why environment-conscious people are switching to energy-efficient alternatives. The fridge alone consumes up to 50% of the energy in homes, especially if it’s more than 10 years old. Likewise, ovens, microwaves, and other heating appliances consume a significant amount of energy. 

A few decades ago, nobody thought about how heating appliances might impact the environment, but things have changed a lot today. People make sensible purchases when it comes to electrical appliances. Not only because they want to save money on the energy bills, but because they are concerned about their carbon footprint. Sustainability has become more important to people than ever before. Homes, offices, restaurants, and public places are now equipped with smart heating appliances that save energy while offering the best heating services. As tempting as the idea of going green sounds, the process can overwhelm beginners. Where do you start? And what changes in your lifestyle can help reduce your carbon footprint from the heating appliances? 

Tips for Improving Insulation in Your Home

The government has launched many programs that offer gift cards and discounts to customers who invest in energy-efficient appliances. Plus, companies manufacturing heating and cooling products are also doing everything in their power to make these appliances as energy-efficient as possible. But, the question is, “what can we do to bring a change”? Small steps, like sealing the gaps in your doors and windows or covering all open areas, can improve insulation in your homes. But, if you want to reduce your carbon footprint caused by heating appliances, here are a few tips that will help:

Choose Construction Materials Carefully For Your Home

People spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on adding robust insulation systems to their homes. While that may make your home energy-efficient, some insulation materials emit a considerable amount of greenhouse gas during manufacturing. Your savings and an effort to contribute to the environment will go to waste if the construction of these materials causes carbon emissions. In fact, it can be a zero-sum game. 

Research has found that new insulation materials and triple glazing can cause more harm to the environment than their traditional counterparts. That’s because the manufacturing and transportation of these materials require a lot of energy, which makes them carbon-heavy on our environment. So, it’s important to check the source of materials and pay close attention to the products used for the manufacturing of these energy-efficient appliances before you install them. You should favor insulation devices and healing appliances made of natural resources. For example, you can consider cellulose fiber instead of fiberglass insulation. 

Install Solar Panels On Your Home

If you are serious about going green, then you must have given a thought to installing solar panels. It is a cheaper and energy-efficient alternative to the traditional electrical grid. Solar panels light your home using sunlight. They use the sunlight to power your home’s electrical units. That doesn’t mean the system doesn’t work at night or when the weather isn’t clear. The excess sunlight is stored in the batteries, which is then used at night. 

Using solar energy doesn’t only reduce your carbon footprint by conserving energy, but it can significantly reduce your monthly electricity bills. In fact, most homeowners do not need the conventional sources to power their home’s electrical appliances. Solar panels are enough to power lights, HVAC units, and other electrical units — in both residential and commercial properties. If that sounds too expensive, you can at least switch your energy provider. Many electricity companies offer green energy plans. They produce electricity using renewable resources. Switch to these plans to lower your carbon footprint.

Replace Your Windows

If you live in a colder area, replace your windows with glass windows. Do the same with your doors. Glass windows let a considerable amount of natural sunlight inside your house, keeping your rooms warm in the winter. If glare strains your eyes or causes headaches, add a tint. Or, you can use blinds. It will still allow the same amount of sunlight in your rooms while minimizing glare. 

If you are moving into a new house, consider installing hinged or insulated windows. It is an energy-efficiency alternative to conventional doors and windows. Window louvers are also used to prevent heat loss in winter. The louvers keep your room warm in winter and cool in summer by facilitating better insulation. In fact, some louvers come with built-in insulation characteristics that make them an excellent choice for homes with poor insulation issues. By improving ventilation, the louvers allow sunlight inside your home, keeping your place well-lit and warm, thus, you can save on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. 

Seal Draft Your Doors and Windows

Gaps in your doors and windows can be the leading cause of poor insulation in your home.  Rubber weatherstripping can be used to seal the gaps in your doors. Or, if there’s large space, you can use a double draft stopper. It includes two pieces of foam that prevent air leakage from the gaps in your doors. 

The best part is that you can take it out when it’s not needed and squeeze it in the gaps in winter to prevent the warm air from getting leaked. If you still have those conventional wooden doors that do little to insulate your home, now is the time to embrace the modern, environment-friendly doors. Invest in eco-friendly doors and windows supplied by reputable manufacturers in your area.

Embrace Smart Heating

There is a growing demand for smart heating appliances that are controlled by remote and mobile apps. These apps make it easier for homeowners to adjust the temperature of the heating and cooling appliances, set a timer for when they’d like to start the heater, and control nearly every function of the device with a single tap of a button. But, the question is, how can these remote-based smart heating appliances help you contribute to the planet? Turning off the lights, boiler, and HVAC units automatically make things easier for homeowners. People tend to forget to switch off these appliances. 

Smart appliances that can be controlled by mobile apps work as energy-efficient devices, as they can be switched off when not in use. You can turn the heating appliance on and off from your mobile app no matter where you are. Let’s say you have left for the office. But, you aren’t sure if you turned the heater off before leaving. With a mobile app, you can easily keep tabs on the electrical appliances in your home from anywhere. You can check if the heater is on or off and switch it off with a single tap. You can also adjust the temperature settings from your mobile app. The heater will automatically turn off once it has reached your desired temperature.

Insulate Your Roof and Walls

Your wall and roof leak the hot air outside your house. That’s why proper insulation in these areas should be your priority. Add an insulation board to the top of your roof’s surface. Make sure you use rigid insulation boards that can fit between the rafters flawlessly. It’s equally important to insulate the cavities of the walls in each room. 

You can DIY insulation or hire professional contractors for the task. It’s a 2-3 hour job. Having proper insulation will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but it makes your electrical appliances more efficient and functional. Your HVAC systems will work better when your home is packed, and even the smallest gaps are sealed properly. Your insulation panels must be thick enough to prevent air leakage. It should be as thick as your mattress. You can drill these boards on the interior and exterior walls of your home. Insulation should be done for each room. 

While you are at it, check the ventilation of the roof too. Making your home airtight can cause problems with the ventilation. The last thing you want is the unnecessary mold growth in your home. So, pay special attention to the ventilation and install the latest mechanical vents on your roof to ensure proper air circulation.