There are a couple of ways you can “go green” with green hot water heaters.  Hot water heaters use a lot of energy to keep water hot.  One of the ways you can make your hot water tank more efficient is by wrapping the tank with an insulation blanket.  But technology has provided another option called a tankless hot water heater.  It’s energy efficient and becoming more popular all the time.

Everywhere you turn, people are “going green.”  It’s the new mantra as society addresses issues like global warming and depleting natural resources.  In addition, utility rates continue to rise every year. Heating and cooling charges are a major household expense usually only following the mortgage payment in terms of size.  It only makes sense to do everything possible to lower energy charges and that includes making your hot water tank operate as efficiently as possible.

Green Hot Water Heaters

Creating green hot water heaters used to mean keeping your tank insulated so heat doesn’t escape through the tank walls. Heating water continuously requires a lot of energy and anything you can do to reduce heat loss will directly lower your energy bills.   The one caveat to this method of going green is to make sure the tank manufacturer does not prohibit using a water tank blanket.  You can not only wrap the tank; you can also wrap the hot water pipes.

If you are building a new home or are considering replacing your current tank in an existing home, the tankless hot water system is a good option.  These are the newest green hot water heaters.  These tanks use a lot less energy through their method of operation.  Instead of drawing energy to keep a tank full of water heated, the tankless system heats water on demand.  This kind of system can be more expensive than the traditional water heaters, but the energy savings will cover the additional cost within a fairly short period of time.

When you are interested in “going green”, there may be several steps you can take.  You should never assume there’s nothing left in your house you can make more efficient.  Hot water heaters are often ignored, because they’re stored in the garage.  Yet going green with your hot water can save you lots of money on your utility bills.

Given the crunch on natural resources recently, and rising energy costs it makes sense that people have begun to look into energy alternatives more and more.  While the financial problems with gas for our cars is the most obvious issue, if you stop to think about it, everyday, home energy bills have been rising for several years now.  It seems we don’t have quite the renewable energy sources we thought we did.  In a mad dash to better protect the earth and save some valuable dollars many homeowners are thinking about having residential solar energy systems installed.  Take a look at some of the ways these systems can improve your life and put you ahead of the game in the energy race.

 Residential Solar Energy Systems

It’s an unfortunate state of affairs, but most of us have to think with our wallets whenever we do anything.  It would be really nice to just be able to do what is right.  With that said, installing one of the residential solar energy systems in your home will improve the state of your bank account.  Not only are these systems designed to generate power for your home to use free of charge, many states and the federal government are offering incentive packages and tax breaks to those homeowners who get with the program. 

At one time it was virtually impossible for the average person to be able to afford any of the residential solar energy systems.  With greater demand and better technology, the costs of these systems have thankfully come down.  You no longer have to go into extreme debt to be good to the earth and your energy bill.  The labor for installing the system is reasonable in most cases as well.  When you take the step to find your contractor, just make sure you ask him or her about previous experience with these systems.  Your new system might make the energy company sad, but they will be the only ones. 

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Lots of homeowners are making the decision to go green with either their new home plans or with remodels and additions to existing homes.  Considering the environmentally friendly building practices are getting so much attention nowadays, it’s pretty easy to find a contractor or builder who is well versed in this style of construction.  Eco-friendly floor plans and appliances that use fewer resources are just two ways people are finding to make their homes more earth friendly.  Before you start your next building project, take a look at a few ways you can save the planet and your wallet with lower utility bills. 

One of the most eco-friendly floor plans you are going to find anywhere involves open floor designs.  It is much simpler, takes less energy, and is cheaper to heat or cool one large room as opposed to three or four small ones.  The presence of a great room that includes the dining room, living room, and conveniently connects to the kitchen is ideal in keeping your home environmentally friendly. 

Eco-Friendly Floor Plans

If you live in a warmer climate, consider building to the north or south in order to avoid the majority of the intense heat from the sun.  You can also install sun screens and solar deflectors to limit your cooling needs.  On the other hand, those who have cold winters to deal with would benefit from building the home facing the sun’s path.  Using heat holding materials like concrete and stone is beneficial as well as these materials will radiate heat after the sun has set.

There are other important aspects to think about while you are working to create eco-friendly floor plans.  Having your builder use as many renewable building materials, as well as those that can be found locally is part of doing your share for a better environment.  Insulating the exterior walls and roof of the house is crucial to limiting the amount of energy you and your family will need to take care of your house.  If you are going for new appliances, make sure they are in compliance with the greener living standards.  These small steps are not only good for the planet; they will also save you money in the long run in terms of your monthly bills. 

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Even the most diligent homeowner doesn’t spend a great deal of time thinking about roofs.  As long as you do the general maintenance and have the shingles replaced by a professional when necessary, there really isn’t too much to think about.  The next time the need for a new roof comes up in your home, you do have a little more to think about.  In this day and age of environmental consciousness, you have an option in roofing that has been around for centuries and is currently enjoying resurgence in popularity.  Learn a little more about green roofs and decide if you think one would be the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle.

Roofing Contractors

Materials like metal and tile are considered to be fairly earth friendly, but a green roof takes things to a deeper level.  It’s likely you have seen restaurants or other places of business that have vegetation on the roofs.  They often use it as decoration, but this type of roof is not only attractive, it also promotes healthy plant based oxygen and certainly gives your home a unique look.  Thanks to a lot of work done in Europe with this ancient practice, this kind of roofing can be used anywhere in the U.S.  Let’s take a look at the layers of this kind of roof.

Closest to the roof itself, a waterproofing material is used.  If it doesn’t have a root resistant component, another layer with root resistant material will have to be added.  Obviously, it is essential for protecting the sub roof from potential damage due to the root system of the plants.  The next layer is the drainage layer.  A wide variety of materials can be used here.  Some people go with plastic or rubber to reduce weight, but it’s also acceptable to use clay or gravel as well.  Moving up the construction, you come to the soil layer.  Depending on your climate and the plants you are planning to use, this layer could consist of peat moss, regular soil, or potting mix.  Of course, your final layer is the plants themselves.  A qualified green roof contractor will be able to give you a good idea of which plants will work best in your situation.

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You can’t turn on the TV or radio, not to mention open a newspaper or magazine without seeing or hearing something about the environment.  It’s pretty clear society needs to really invest some time and effort in the reuse and recycle way of life.  Even with the concerns about green living and doing your part, it doesn’t mean you can’t have some of the things in life you want.  Let’s take your home for example.  If you are among the number of homeowners that would love to build to a sunroom, you can do so with little to no harm to the earth if you keep some green sunroom designs ideas in mind. 

There isn’t a building material sold that isn’t rated for energy efficiency and low environmental risk.  When you are planning your sunroom, look for the best materials to use.  You can find all kinds of information about these products online or by asking the knowledgeable home improvement store staff.  Include features like solar panels to reduce energy consumption and use materials that reproduce quickly like bamboo.  Not only are you doing your part for the earth, you are also ensuring that your sunroom will be built to last.

Green Sunroom Designs

It’s basic science that plants make oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide.  You can continue to do your part for the earth with an emphasis on flowers and plants placed both inside and around the outside of your sunroom.  You could be even more self sufficient and use some of your sunroom containers for herbs or mini vegetable plants. They are all very pretty and the herbs have the added bonus of smelling fantastic as well.

If you put your mind to it, there is no doubt you can come up with all kinds of ways to include more green sunroom designs into your plans.  With the manufacturers of just about everything offering earth friendly options, you can’t help but do the right thing with your sunroom addition, especially when you consider as well that there are green contractors out there who can help you accomplish your dream goals. 

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There comes a time in the life of every floor that it is simply no longer what it once was and needs to be replaced.  It can be a difficult event, except that it gives you a chance to redo your home’s floors anyway you like.  One new type of flooring that is getting more and more attention is the green bamboo hardwood flooring.  There are few things as elegant and easy to pull off as a hardwood floor.  With the bamboo version, you can also feel good knowing you are doing something good for the environment as well.  Take a look at some of the advantages of this product.  Before you know it, you’ll be looking at your own gorgeous bamboo flooring.

You learned in basic science how long it takes the average tree to reach maturity.  It’s certainly more than a growing season.  When you choose to use bamboo flooring, you are dealing with a material that can be easily and quickly grown.  With traditional hardwood floors, it will take years to replenish the wood used.  With bamboo, it might take a growing season and that’s unlikely.  Especially if you are concerned with doing good things for the environment, this is a major selling point.

Green Bamboo Hardwood Flooring

In addition to treading lightly on the environment, you want flooring that is easy to take care of, and ideally you’d want something that accomplishes both.  It doesn’t get much easier than bamboo.  This stuff is less likely to need to be refinished like some of the more traditional flooring materials.  You can also count on the bamboo product being more resilient and stronger than woods like pine and man made products like vinyl.  Another bonus is that they look great as well.  You don’t need a whole lot more than that. 

From its benefits to the environment, to its easy care, and finishing up with its various stains and attractive finishes, green bamboo hardwood flooring is certainly worth looking into for your next flooring project.  This is an excellent material to work with for do it yourself installation, even if you don’t have any previous flooring experience. 

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