Is Sustainable Attainable?

There has been a great deal of talk lately about sustainable living and energy efficiency. Whether you are considering a new build or looking to retrofit an existing home, there are many options and even more opinions. What is important to know is that many measures can be taken at every level to make our homes more "green".

Let's talk about COST.
~Start up cost - most consumers complain that photovoltaic (solar energy) systems are too cumbersome and expensive with a 15-20 year payback (but consider what your current payback is as a comparison?!)
~Cost of NOT converting - with a photovoltaic system, you can lock in to todays power rate and it will never increase.
~Environmental Cost - Most electricity in Nova Scotia comes from burning coal! Our mainstream electricity isn't very clean.
~Studies have shown that a homes value is increased by $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills through energy efficiency and supplemental electricity producing systems.

Technology is getting closer to making our dreams of sustainable living more attainable, and there are lots of things we can do to get closer to that goal! There are many ways of making a home more energy efficient such as replacing windows, insulation upgrades, digital thermostats, changing lightbulbs, replacing toilets and faucets and upgrading heating systems. (Did you know that burning wood as a heat source has net zero Greenhouse Gas emissions?!)

There are certainly larger scale upgrades that can be done to decrease or even eliminate your dependency on inefficient practices. Green design plans for homes can make a real difference in heating and cooling simply by taking advantage of the angle at which the sun hits the earth in our region. Lots of older homes have sharply pitched roof angles that lend well to solar panels of all sorts (I currently have a solar domestic hot water system on my century home). Rainwater catchment systems are low tech DIY and can save many gallons of water from being used for gardens and car washing.

It can seem overwhelming to negotiate these extra factors, numbers and stats surrounding these ideas can be mind boggling. I know the local experts in these fields, helpful websites and service providers. I am happy point you in the right direction and to chat more about your specific goals for a more sustainable home! I have sold 100% off grid homes and I currently use some of the options available and know how they work first hand, a trusted up to date professional can make all the difference in the world!
Let's Chat!