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Energy efficient homes are becoming all the more popular in Perth due to the long-term savings they can accrue. If you have the budget for a home improvement project, consider putting the money into energy-saving improvements that will result in numerous benefits.
To help generate immediate water and energy savings, follow these 5 steps.
1. Install Energy Efficient Windows
You will see an immediate drop in your heating bill. Somewhere between thirty and fifty percent of heat is lost through the windows. This is a pricey improvement: full window renovations can range from $8,000 to $15,000 for the average home, so it will take several years before the windows pay for themselves. However, keep in mind that this improvement will actually add to the resale value of your home.
2. Install a Wood Stove
If you live in an area with a lot of dead branches and scrap wood around, a wood stove is a great way to heat your home with a local material. You’ll save a bundle on heating since you gather the fuel yourself rather than pay a bundle to the gas or electric company. Wood stoves are fun, add a classic feel for your home and can double for cooking, providing you with a two-for-one energy value. The stoves themselves are fairly inexpensive as far as heating systems go. You can get a great quality stove for less than $1000 that will last for years with proper care.
3. Add Plants and Trees
Are you thinking about hiring a landscaper? Why not make use landscaping to reduce your home energy costs. Growing trees and shading plants around your home, particularly on the side that gets the worst of the summer sun will drastically reduce your home cooling costs. Plants also act as a windbreak, which will help your home maintain heat in the winter.
4. Purchase Solar Panels
For this improvement, you’ll need to consider your climate. In other worse, you need to receive enough sunlight throughout the year for this investment to be worth it. A rainy climate won’t suit solar panels. High latitudes will get little benefit from solar panels in the winter, but will more than make up for it in summer. Solar panels are expensive, but slowly and surely pay for themselves. Plus, if you produce more energy than you need from solar panels, you can actually get paid to feed your excess energy back into the grid.
5. Install a Compost Toilet
Compost toilets are a bit out there, but can save you thousands of litres of water a year and are one of the best ways to lower your environmental impact. This is a good alternative to soiling potable water and flushing it down to a wastewater treatment plant to undergo an energy-expensive treatment. Compost toilets aren’t that expensive to install. When maintained properly, they don’t stink at all, and provide rich manure if you are the vegetable-growing sort.
Energy-saving home renovations may or may not add significant value to your home, but they will improve your quality of life and help you save money right away. If you have the money to put into your home, an energy-saving renovation can be a worthwhile investment.