Tuesday, March 29, 2011

"Green" Home Features

You do not have to run for president to help save mother earth. In your own little ways, you can make huge contributions on how to make our planet a better place to live in. In fact, you can start in your very own home. Various features have been developed to provide a greener home. If you want to be part of the growing number of home owners who are going green, you have to be familiar of the different features you have to incorporate at home.
Although many want to be a part of green living, very few are aware of the many features at home that can achieve this. Here are some of the things you have to keep in mind:
Power source:
There are different sources of energy that will not harm the environment. One is the use of the sun and the wind. There are wind turbine and solar electric instruments that will allow people to use the wind and the energy from the sun to produce electricity. This is not only eco-friendly but is also a way to save on energy expenses.
How the structure is built and what are the materials used:
There are techniques used by green home builders to decrease the indoor draft. This will also improve the insulation as well as the moisture and mold in the house. Most importantly, it will enhance the efficiency of energy. This is made possible by tight construction. There are also green materials used for the construction. There are several products out there and you can ask the help of the expert if you are uncertain. To ensure that you are using an eco-friendly material, it has to help save water and energy, it should be made of healthy and safe substances rather than toxic materials. It should also help conserve the natural resources. This means that they are either made of recycled or salvaged materials.
If you are building your own house and you want to make sure that it is made of eco friendly materials, use sustainably harvested wood. This can be expensive but this is a good investment. To be certain that this is what it claims, look for the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) stamp.
Other features of the house:
Other features at home give you an opportunity to help the environment. Among them are the insulation, windows, exterior siding and roofing. Insulation is very important to most of us because it makes us comfortable. This, however, will also require you to shell out a significant amount for materials. However, the investment can last a lifetime of savings. Remember, heating systems take a huge chunk of the energy cost. If you invest in good insulating materials today, you will definitely save a lot in the future.
The same goes for your choices for the windows and roofing. Materials that can last for a longer time are more preferable nowadays. Good choices of materials and construction will help homeowners save on energy. They may invest more today, but they can take advantage of these investments for a lifetime.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2857543