If you, like many others, have become a lot more concerned about the nature of modern energy consumption and its role in climate change, existing and potential, then you may have heard of the concept of the zero-energy building.
A building that produces as much energy as it uses has the potential to effectively mitigate its impact on the environment in at least one way. It’s not just a hypothetical. There are zero-energy homes operating today, and here are some of the steps you can take to join their ranks.
Maximize Insulation And Seal Air Leaks
The better you seal and insulate your home, the better you keep your energy indoors where it belongs. Air leaks and gaps in your insulation can waste energy without you even noticing. Because heat escapes more easily in the winter and invades more easily in the summer, your heating and cooling systems can work overtime. You can start improving the insulation in your home by sealing gaps around windows, doors, and plumbing fixtures using caulk or weatherstripping. Next, consider upgrading the insulation in your attic, walls, and crawl spaces in your home. There are different types, like spray foam, cellulose, or rigid board, each of which can help you improve the energy efficiency of the home while enhancing comfort by getting rid of drafts.
Get Energy Independent
It’s always going to be difficult, if not nigh-impossible, to become a zero-energy household if you’re relying on the grid for your energy. You don’t have to go entirely off-grid, but you can analyze your home’s potential for different sustainable energy sources, such as solar panels. For many homes, modern solar can cover most, if not all, of your home’s electricity needs when sized properly. Solar technology has become increasingly affordable, and many local and federal incentives can offset installation costs. These panels can be installed either on your roof or on the ground, depending on which part of your property might capture the most sunlight. While it might come with an initial investment cost, it may well pay off through reduced utility bills.
Upgrade To Energy-Efficient Appliances
How you get and keep your energy is one thing, but you want to make sure that you’re using it as effectively as possible, as well. Swapping outdated appliances and lighting for energy-efficient models is an accessible and immediate way to reduce your energy consumption. Look for the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates the product meets strict energy performance standards. Start by looking at the items that tend to use the most energy in the home, like your refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer. However, even small changes like replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs can make a big improvement, reducing your lighting energy use by as much as 90%.
Look Closer At Your Heating And Cooling
Some of the appliances that can benefit the most from looking at energy-efficient models are your HVAC systems. For instance, swapping to air-source or ground-source heat pumps can drastically reduce how much energy your home uses to stay warm in the winter. Regardless of the core of the system, zoned systems can further optimize comfort and energy use by allowing room-specific temperature control. In addition to equipment upgrades, regular maintenance, such as replacing filters when needed and arranging for an annual service, can make sure that your HVAC is running as smoothly as possible. One easy upgrade is to integrate smart thermostats that allow you to program how and when your heating and cooling systems run, avoiding energy waste by leaving those devices running unchecked.
Keep Your Excess Energy
Many homes that rely on sustainable methods of energy generation may actually end up creating more energy than their homes create. This is especially true for any homes using solar panels in areas that get a lot of sunlight exposure. If that’s the case, then you should look into battery storage solutions. These can keep the excess energy generated by your power systems that you can then use when the sun isn’t shining. In some cases, homes that generate extra energy can sell it back to the grid, which may not impact your own personal energy use, but can help you contribute to the energy efficiency of your area in general.
Your ability to go zero-energy with your home may depend on a few factors, like the viability of different sustainable energy methods based on your location. However, the tips above can certainly help you get a lot closer to that target.
