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Q: What is the most cost effective green update you can make for your home?

I'd like to do some green updates to my house, but many seem quite expensive. What are the most cost effective green updates you can make? Thanks for the help.

Posted in Going Green on

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  • A:



    The most cost effective measure by far is to make your home energy efficient. Reducing heating and cooling loads will return your investment in the form of lower energy bills within a couple of years. Unless the builder of your house specifically made it airtight, you can be sure that you are living in one of the 99% of houses that are sending 40% or more of their energy to the outdoors.

    As warm air rises, it escapes into the attic and out through the roof. As this happens, outside air is drawn in from elsewhere in the house to replace it. For every cubic foot of air that leaves your house, another cubic foot of air finds its way in from the outside. The most effective strategy for increasing performance is sealing up holes and cracks in the attic, basement, ceilings and walls. Most houses have air currents flowing through the wall cavities whether they are insulated or not and whether they are interior walls or perimeter walls. Air is also travelling through lighting fixtures, bathroom vents, ductwork, plumbing holes, and electrical outlets and then escaping to the outdoors. You are paying to heat or cool this air.

    Your next action would be to increase the thermal insulation. Fiberglass is probably the worst insulation you can buy. It has a low thermal resistance (r-value) and air blows right through it. It actually loses its effectiveness the colder it gets! Additionally, all kinds of batt insulation leave gaps around obstructions and as a result, overall thermal resistance is compromised. Only spray foam or blown in cellulose will give you effective insulation every time, under every circumstance. Upgrade the attic first, then the walls. I would caulk around the windows to make them airtight rather than replace them if they are in good condition.

    Go to www.bpi.org where you will find contractors, who can examine your house, suggest energy saving measures and implement them.

    After all this has been done, then we can talk about other green options.

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  • A: The Most Cost Effective Green Update



    By far is re-Painting with low to zero V.O.C (volatile odor content)Green Earth Friendly Paint. Not costing any more than regular interior latex paints, but providing a fresh new look without harmful chemicals which are transmitted for up to 3 years in a home, using typical waterborne latex paints. This also offers a new interior design as well. Colors are more vivid and will last a life time. Same type paints used in Roman Times, still colorful today. Good Luck!

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  • A: Going Green



    Installing a tank less water heater, less energy is used you only heat the water you are going to use> I recommend "RINNAI"

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  • A: Cheap and Will Save you a bundle



    I would suggest changing over to a programmable thermostat. These are very cheap ($30-$150) and many utility companies will give you a rebate of around $25. Utilizing this type of thermostat could save you a few hundred dollars a year, paying for itself right away!

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    Oct 20, 2021

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