We are always hearing people talk about reducing our carbon footprint, and how important it is that we all do our part. But the ways in which to do this are sometimes vague, or it is difficult for us to find ways to personally do so on a daily basis. Luckily, there is a very effective way that we can reduce our carbon emissions, and it starts in a place that we spend a lot of our time: our home. The best part is that, while helping to take better care of the environment, we can also save ourselves a ton of money, which is something that needs no explanation.
One place to begin in the quest for better energy efficiency is with insulation. Speaking with an insulation contractor in West Lorne, ON about insulating your home will allow you to work towards creating a zero net energy house that runs at maximum energy efficiency, with much needed reduction in potential harm to the environment.
Location, location, location
One of the most important factors in building a zero net energy home is taking into account the type of climate that this home will have to be protected against. Factors such as average temperatures, sun and shade exposure, wind and the general climate of the location year-round have to be the first consideration in determining the effectiveness and relevance that your zero net energy home can have.
Utilizing solar power
Solar power plays a key role in zero net energy homes, which are designed to use just the right amount of the sun’s energy. Based on the type of climate and sun exposure that your home will have throughout the year, this solar energy is either used to improve the heating of the home in the winter or deflect and diminish the sun’s effects in the summer through better cooling.
One way to aid your home in its quest for energy efficiency is by paying attention to the placement and sizing of windows, because windows are potential holes in your home that can let too much out or too much in. Smaller windows allow you to still be able to provide brilliant natural light and make appropriate usage of solar power, while also ensuring that you aren’t creating another outlet for either the heat or air conditioning to escape your home.
The role insulation plays in a zero net energy home
Insulation is another key way to achieve maximum energy efficiency in your house. One of the goals of zero net energy homes is to create a space that protects the environment by finding ways to use fewer of your local environment’s resources. With insulation, your home will need less energy to remain heated or cooled, because the sneaky modes of escape are blocked. As a result, with fewer ways to escape, your heat and air conditioning are trapped in your house, thereby requiring you to use less energy each day. If you are able to operate with less, then you will also be emitting less. Your insulated home will be keeping you and your family comfortable while softening the impact on the environment.
By protecting your home and creating an airtight fortress, you will be doing your part in facilitating better environmental health. Be sure to consult with an insulation contractor in West Lorne, ON to come up with the best insulation plan for your home, and take steps toward creating your own zero net energy house. The team at Chase Insulation would love to help you get started!