Designing Your Property Environment Friendly

The Windows

Double-glazed windows have been proved to save about 20% off your annual heating costs. Having said that, make certain your house has a good ventilation system when replacing windows. It is advisable to use double-glazed windows with real wood frames. They might be more expensive but well worth the price.

Use the candle test to find drafts in the house. Close all the windows and doors then put a candle on the ground and watch the flame. The flickering candle suggests you are likely letting heat out and therefore wasting energy and hence money.

The Light Bulb

By only changing the light bulbs we use in our homes can be a major step in the green direction. Incandescent light bulbs can be harmful for the environment and wasteful though compact fluorescents (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) do not. They go longer, their production discharges alot less carbon in the atmosphere which effectively cuts back pollution as a result.You could also look at the potential of solar lighting for outdoor lights if you really want to take advantage of sustainable sources of energy.Make sure you recycle the incandescent lightbulbs which are replaced or stashed away.

Regulate Temperature with the Help of Plant Life

Are you aware that you can naturally control the temperature of your house without having to use any heating or air conditioning systems? Many homeowners do not realize it but planting trees smartly around your house can offer shade in summertime and protection from wind chill in winter. Not only would it help you save money in terms of your energy bills but it will also help to reduce your carbon footprint.

Finish your Attic

This shouldnt end up being something elaborate. Insulate the loft can help to save hugely on heat loss,You could just insulate the loft or should you need extra room you could turn it into a room,enlist the help of an expert that will help you with all the electrical wiring and structure of your new attic. Youll have a tidy place for stoarge or a completely new area upstairs plus youll stop leaking heat through the roof.

Use a Thermostat/Timer

The more modern the thermostat model, the more you will save. Dont overheat your house. When you have got rid of the chill, you dont actually need more than 20oC during day time and 17oC during the night. You'll find that quality of your sleep will improve as you turn down the heat.

Save Water, Save Cash

With water charges on its way, and shortages forecast, Irish households should recycle water wherever possible to make sure that as little as possible is lost and even less is wasted.(Having a shower instead of bath). As such, something as simple as having an outdoor barrel to be able to capture rainwater can provide you with an excellent supply of water for your garden without increasing your water bills.

Buy Quality Furniture

Buying quality furniture is essential if you want to be as green as possible in your home. Low cost furniture lasts a couple of years at the most and is then broken down and replaced but is rarely sustainable. Even though you might have to pay more, investing in superior quality furniture that will last longer will be better for the environment and have a greater degree of sustainability. This applies to outdoor and indoor furniture, from porch swing covers to sofas.

Replace your Old GCH Boiler with a New Model

Incredibly, but some older boilers are so awful you could save up to half your annual energy bill by installing a brand new boiler.This will be expensive however, you will start saving from your first bill. Check if your model reuses the heat from the exhaust gases or simply pushes the heat in to the atmosphere.

Solar Panels

Consider installing a solar panel or a solar water heating system on the roof. You could also look to set up a small wind generator or even a geothermal heat pump. All these option will reduce bills and provide you with a sustainable energy source while helping the enviroment .

Wall Insulation

Why does this come last? Because it is not suitable for all homes. Wall cavity insulation is potentially not suitable for your home and can make your house damp and inhabitable.You can get insulation on the exterior of your home or the interior. The choice comes down to cost, suitability and personal choice.If you want to do wall cavity insulation, get independent advice and use quality tradesmen.