Showing posts with label environmentally friendly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environmentally friendly. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
More Green Plumbing Tips!
We all want to save money during these challenging economic times, and making green plumbing improvements is one of the best money-saving changes you can make. But in addition to saving you a lot of green in your wallet, green plumbing solutions around the home are some of the most effective and easy things you can do to reduce energy consumption, to improve your health and to help the environment.Green Plumbing and Energy Reduction
When it comes to your energy bills, most people focus on their furnaces or air conditioners. But your plumbing system also has a big impact on how much energy you consume.
- Unprotected pipes, especially ones in exterior walls, are responsible for a huge amount of heat loss as water flows from your hot water tank to a faucet. Insulating pipes keeps more of this heat in, significantly cutting into your energy usage and saving you money on your utility bill.
- If you are considering a plumbing remodel, upgrade or new home construction, keeping pipes out of exterior walls altogether will eliminate unnecessary heat loss. Instead, run pipes through insulated and interior spaces where temperature is more regulated.
- Invest in an on-demand hot water pump. These devices send hot water to fixtures in seconds, eliminating costs that arise when hot water is left to sit unused in your pipes and reducing water usage overall.
- Hot water heaters constitute up to 15 percent of your home’s total energy usage. A new, energy-efficient water heater can cut a big chunk out of high utility bills.
Green Plumbing and Your Health
It’s true-—improving the efficiency of your home’s plumbing can have a positive impact on the health of everyone in your household.
- Request a copy of your town’s most recent water report or hire an independent tester to analyze your water. Before you can do anything, you need to know what kinds of substances may be in your water.
- Install a chlorine filter on your showerheads. Eliminating chlorine from your water can ease symptoms of chlorine sensitivity, which include dry skin, itchiness, flaking, rashes and tightness.
- Look into a whole house filtration system that will get rid of chemicals, heavy metals and micro organisms that may be present in the water you use for cooking, bathing, cleaning and drinking. A comprehensive filtration system will also prevent staining and corrosion caused by hard water, and will extend the life of appliances that use water.
- If you live in an area with particularly poor water quality, install an activated charcoal filter or reverse osmosis system. These water purifiers filter out contaminants and make water safer to use.
Green Plumbing and the Environment
Many of us are looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment. Green plumbing solutions help you do just that. Coincidentally, many of these initiatives can save you money, too.
- Install low-flow fixtures, which can reduce your water consumption by about 60 percent.
- Low-flush toilets are also a great way to restrict unnecessary water usage, saving about 28 gallons of water per person every day.
- Purchase a leak monitoring device that will notify you of leaky faucets, pipes and toilets so you can have the problem taken care of before too much water is wasted.
- Faucet flow reducers are easy to install and can cut water usage by more than 40 percent.
- Replace old appliances with energy efficient models. Dishwashers and washing machines with an Energy Star rating can reduce water use by more than 50 percent.
More About Green Plumbing from Horizon Services...
Friday, March 12, 2010
Geothermal Heating - What You Need to Know
“Green living” is a growing trend across the nation. Homeowners are looking to take proactive steps to reduce their impact on the environment and to combat the rising cost of household utilities at the same time. Initiatives like energy efficient lighting, solar power, and water conservation are a big part of new home construction and are increasingly attractive upgrades for existing homeowners.One of the most popular environmentally and energy conscious improvements is geothermal heating. Geothermal heating is a process that uses the natural heat energy within the earth's surface to heat or cool a building. Long considered prohibitively expensive, the fact is that this eco-friendly approach to home heating is becoming more and more affordable while still offering a clean, natural source of heat. HVAC manufacturers are producing more affordable geothermal heating units and systems than ever before. If you think it might be time to take a closer look at geothermal heating for your home, here are some things you should know.
1. Geothermal heating is more popular than you think. Many of us still consider “going green” a passing fad, but the fact is that eco-friendly home improvements are gaining mainstream popularity every day. Geothermal heating is leading the way on this front, as many experts estimate that the number of units installed in American homes each year is close to 50,000.
2. You can afford geothermal heating. Yes, geothermal heating units cost more to install than traditional HVAC systems. The truth is, though, that geothermal units pay for themselves in a short period of time—just under 10 years, according to some estimates—and the energy savings you’ll see makes them a cheaper option in the long run. An added bonus: Eco-friendly home upgrades are a major selling point for many potential buyers so making these improvements now could get you an attractive return on your investment when it comes time to sell your home.
3. Geothermal heat is a long-term solution. The interior components of most geothermal systems will last at least 20 years, while the outdoor and underground mechanisms will last nearly twice as long. Good luck finding a furnace that will last 50 years!
4. Geothermal heat pumps are not just for heating. Not only do geothermal systems heat your home with clean, renewable energy but they can also cool it, too. The same ductwork that carries warm air through your house can also convey cool air with just the flick of a switch. There are even some geothermal units that can heat your hot water, too.
5. It’s the perfect time to consider geothermal heating. Geothermal heating is one of the most desirable options for home heating right now. The systems currently on the market are some of the most affordable, energy-efficient, and easiest to install. What’s more, the federal government is offering tax incentives to homeowners who install them. In some cases, those credits add up to as much as $2,000. Even if you installed a geothermal system a year or two ago, you may still be eligible for tax credits if your unit meets the government’s Energy Star qualifications. Many state governments are also offering attractive tax incentives to homeowners who replace their older heating units with new geothermal systems.
For More Information About Geothermal Heating…
Contact Horizon Services and schedule a FREE, no-obligation In-Home Energy Analysis. Horizon’s experienced comfort consultants will prepare a detailed assesment of your home and heating requirements and tell you if geothermal heating is a viable option for your house.
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