It's not really on the fringe anymore. Well, it's still a little bit fringe if you live here in the Midwest, but the environmental movement has definitely gained steam over the past decade.
When I was a corporate executive at a Fortune 100 company, I had the honor of helping build an environmental sustainability program that has continued to grow to this day. It was one of my favorite and most memorable projects during my corporate career because I felt like I was making a difference in something that mattered to the world. When I left Corporate America, I strongly considered a career in the environmental space, but instead have found that I can integrate so much of what I have learned about sustainability into home ownership/buying/selling -- the home being the biggest component of most people's carbon footprint.
There are dozens of thing that almost any homeowner can do to make their own home more efficient and cost-effective during the time they live in it, and also make it more attractive to potential buyers. More and more I am seeing listings that highlight certain environmental features and our local MLS now has a section in each listing that is dedicated to green features. Here are some ideas to consider (especially if you are building new as they can easily be integrated with little to no incremental cost and will help your home retain value in what I promise will be a much greener future market):
- There are multiple types of insulation that use earth-friendly materials as an alternative to glass - Warmcel 100 is made from newspaper, HempFlax is made from hemp fiber & polyester, and Bonded Logic is made from recycled blue jeans.
- Windows are probably one of the best ways to make your home more efficient. In the Midwest, look for a U-factor of <= .40 (the colder the climate, the lower the U-factor needed). Also, glazed or tinted windows cut out sun glare (kind of like sunglasses for the home). Dual pane windows add a layer of insulation - 1/4 - 1/2 " space between panes is best, and you can even have that space filled with low conductivity gas like argon which absorbs the coolness outside and further insulates the home.
- Attic fans are a great way to cool a home, and ceiling fans are a great way to cool a room. Just remember, they are instant-on and instant-off and don't do any good unless someone is in the room ... so turn them off when you leave.
- EnergyStar appliances generally use about 15% less energy than their standard competition. Look for the seal when you have to buy something new.
- To save water, you can install a low-flow shower head and faucet aerators. They basically mix air into the water stream enabling it to maintain a steady flow but use less. As far as toilets go, you can save water by installing a toilet with a smaller tank or a dual flush toilet. A normal toilet flush uses 3 gallons of water while a dual flush uses .8 gallons for a liquid flush and 1.6 gallons for a solid flush. And you don't have to buy a whole new toilet to get the dual flush functionality ... you can buy a kit to attach to your current toilet for less than $100.
- On the outside, xeriscaping is a type of landscaping that does not require any supplemental irrigation and uses plants whose natural requirements match that of the local climate. Also on the outside, plant bushes next to the house for additional insulation.
If you had $1,000 to invest in making your home more efficient, where would you start?
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