A few items to take into consideration when building or remodeling

BY KYLE HOVANEC FOR GREENING OF OIL

With summer at our doorstep, the temperatures will continue to rise and that means climbing air conditioning bills. 

One way money can be saved despite the summer heat is through eco friendly home construction. 

An "eco-friendly home" is a relatively broad description, as there are many options that can be applied to new homes and existing homes as well. But in essence, an eco-friendly home not only saves the home owner money on their overall energy expenses but also reduces one's environmental footprint.

Eco-friendly homes are built with alternative building materials that are easier on the environment, both directly and through the manufacturing process, and are made to conserve energy and maximize the house's efficiency by utilizing the natural environment you live in.

The following upgrades can be made to a new or existing home to keep your energy costs down.

Fiber cement siding

Fiber cement siding functions exactly the same way as wood, but doesn't require the cutting down of trees. Fiber cement siding is also durable, able to withstand the elements without degradation, and is easy to paint and in some cases comes pre-painted. Fiber cement also repels heat much easier than wood does and will keep your house cooler.

Energy efficient windows

Energy efficient windows are designed to utilize the heat and cold outdoors to heat and cool the house, allowing for less reliance on internal heating and cooling systems.

Eco-friendly windows are equipped with a glaze on the surface that reduces heat flow into the room, and some windows are filled with Argon to properly filter light and heat into the home. A group of energy efficient windows placed strategically throughout a house can also allow an abundance of natural lighting into the home, cutting the need for artificial, electric lighting.

Insulation 

There are many different kinds of insulation available for homeowners to purchase, but R-38 insulation is a key component in keeping a home comfortable year-round. R-38 insulation is designed to  keep both heat and cold in a home as appropriate. It's also designed to repel any source of water, which translates to fewer re-installations. R-38 is also an eco-friendly product. Of course. It's made of non-synthetic materials like sand and recycled glass to conserve natural resources during its manufacturing process.

As with all eco-friendly solutions there are considerations to take into account before making your house a greener one. 

Most of the materials and components required to create an eco-friendly home are typically more expensive than materials used during standard construction.

Keep in mind however that while initial costs are higher, the amount of money saved in the future will make up for it.

And combined with reduced energy use and thus a reduced environmental footprint, you can make sure your home is easy on the environment as well.

That's a benefit that speaks for itself.

Links of interest

Tips for making your home eco friendly

Information on fiber cement siding

Information eco-friendly windows

About Kyle Hovanec

Kyle has very recently joined Greening of Oil as a columnist. He's a junior at Ball State University majoring in journalism. Welcome Kyle!

Contact Kyle at kjhovanec@bsu.edu.