Top businesses and commercial enterprises around the world are thriving to go green. This means making their operations less polluting, reducing their energy consumption, and aiming for a zero-carbon footprint. In some modest ways, you too can contribute to the environment by choosing a more energy-efficient lifestyle. It will also save more than a few pennies on your energy bill. Wouldn’t that be good?
You may have shifted to durable bags and bid goodbye to polythene, you may also have discarded your old car for a new BS-VI compliant one, but like all good things, energy efficiency should begin from your home. Here are five ways how you can remodel your house to make it more energy-efficient.
Using sustainable materials
If you are planning to renovate or expand your house, you can go for sustainable construction materials that insulate the house and ward off excess heat. People use hollow clay blocks with filler tiles to minimise the use of concrete. The use of thermal tiles or tandur stone tiles with a thin concrete layer for the roofing serves the same purpose of deflecting heat. With less heat trapped inside the house, your use of air conditioning, air coolers, and electric fans also reduces substantially.
Use of solar energy
The use of rooftop solar systems is a low-maintenance way of increasing your home’s energy efficiency. Most regions in India receive a lot of sunlight and are naturally suited to utilise the sun as a source of energy. By installing solar energy panels, you will see a reduction in your energy bills as well. With affordable personal loan interest rates available in the loan market, you can avail of a personal loan to get this installation in place. The government also encourages the use of solar panels by providing subsidies on residential homes.
Sewage treatment
There are natural sewage water treatment plants that run without electricity and require very little maintenance. Your water consumption is closely linked to energy consumption because of the energy used in its supply. By installing a natural, low-cost sewage treatment plant, you can reduce your water usage. Reusing treated water for irrigating your garden or crops or as running water is a step in the right direction as far as water conservation is concerned. These natural sewage treatment plants treat hundreds of kiloliters of sewage in a year without consuming any electricity.
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting not only reduces your water bills but also recharges the ground underneath consistently. Places with a seasonal shortfall in the water supply can benefit from the mass use of rainwater harvesting. If you have high rainfall in your area, with a robust rainwater harvesting system in place, you can be completely self-sufficient when it comes to water. Check a personal loan EMI calculator to check your EMI burden if you plan to avail yourself of a personal loan for installing a rainwater harvesting system.
Eco-friendly interiors
Now that you have taken care of the energy efficiency around your house, you can remodel your interiors with eco-friendly options as well. The use of skylights can make your home well-lit, thus reducing your electricity bill. Similarly, by installing low-emissivity windows, you get more natural light into your rooms, while the window reflects the radiant heat. Installing appliances with higher energy efficiency stars will also lower your energy consumption.
Installing these energy-efficient systems and renovations may incur an initial investment. However, there are home renovation and home extension loans that can help you foot this bill. You can also opt for a personal loan and get the installation done. Once done, you can be assured that your energy savings will far outlive your borrowing costs.
