How to Make Your Home More Green

#GoGreen

Going Green

Going green is a concept that has continued to build up steam over the past decade. 

This critical concept is based on living an ecologically friendly lifestyle. While this concept is loosely thrown around, there are not a lot of people that understand what this going green entails. There are a variety of adjustments that can be made in the home to make it more energy efficient. Here we will show you some of the primary ways to make your home greener.

Smart Meter

Smart meters are devices that monitor the energy used in the home. They operate in the same manner as traditional energy meters, except they collect the data and instantly share the information gathered with the energy providers in real time. There are also software programs that the homeowner can use to monitor energy usage in real time.

Smart Outlets and Plugs

The term internet of things (IoT) is used to describe a new era of gadget, appliances, and fixtures that can be used interactively using wireless technology (wi-fi and Bluetooth). These devices can be monitored and controlled using smartphones, tablets, and computers.  

Among these smart devices are smart plugs and smart outlets. These devices are used to control any appliance that is plugged into them. Using a smartphone, the user can monitor the energy use and also turn anything connected into it on or off at will.

Low Emission Windows

Low-emissivity (Low-E) windows are made from a particular type of glass that is designed to reduce the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that comes into your home. This is accomplished by the use of a film that is thinner than a follicle of human hair. This coating keeps the temperature in the home consistent by reflecting interior heat back outside the house.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are probably the most popular eco-friendly home conversion that can be made. Solar panels collect the light from the sun and convert it to electricity that can be used to power the home. California is the first state to create definitive laws surrounding alternative energy use in 2006, leading the way for the nation in this regard. In fact, it is not uncommon to see Los Angeles real estate that is built with solar panels as part of the original design.

Wind Turbine

Wind turbines work to supply electricity to the home in the same fashion that solar panels do, except turbines use the wind to accomplish this task. When the wind blows the fan-like propellers of the wind turbine, it powers an internal generator that converts the movement into actual electricity that can be used to power the home.

Eco-Friendly Home

If you want to make your home eco-friendlier, these tips will give you a head start. There are a vast number of things that can be done to make your home greener. This includes, but is not limited to, energy efficient appliances and ecologically friendly building materials. There are advancements in this field being made all of the time.