5 Environmentally Friendly Home Features for a Healthy Planet

There are many ways to live a green lifestyle that is good for you and the planet. Some simple upgrades make your home a model for saving energy and protecting the environment. Curious about having an endless supply of clean electricity? Contact ZRGP to get answers to all your energy storage questions.

Eco-friendly, energy-saving home features aren't just good for the environment—they're also good for your wallet. Here are five popular home features that can lower your bills, reduce energy waste, and make your home more desirable to future buyers.

#01 Opt for Energy Efficient Appliances

According to the Energy Information Agency's 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, refrigerators alone account for 7% of end users in a home. Using ENERGY STAR appliances is an easy way to cut electric use. There are all sorts of appliances that have been awarded the EPA's ENERGY STAR certification from TVs to freezers.

These appliances require less energy to operate and therefore save you money on utility bills.

#02 Smart Heating and Cooling

Air conditioning accounts for 17% of electricity end use and space heating accounts for another 15%. Unfortunately, a significant portion of that energy use could be wasted. Inadequate insulation, leaky ductwork, air leaks, and windows can all influence the efficiency of heating and cooling a home. To prevent wasting energy, make sure you have enough insulation in the attic. Next, weatherize around the doors and windows to plug up any air leaks. Finally, consider adding a tint to the windows to reflect UV rays and reduce heat transfer.

#03 LED and CFL Bulbs

One of the first things every homeowner should do is replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs. This is an improvement that really does pay for itself. LED lightbulbs use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs, and they also last up to 25 times longer. Consider replacing your indoor and outdoor lights with LED bulbs whenever possible.

#04 Solar Panels

The installation?isn't cheap, but rooftop solar panels can generate a large amount of energy—and potentially a good amount of savings over the long run, too. In addition to gaining your own renewable energy source, you may also be eligible for a residential federal tax credit, property tax exemption, or another government incentive when you install solar panels.

#05 Electric Car With Charging Port

For most people, their car is an extension of their home. And if you have an electric car your home is also your fueling station. Charging an electric car at home will increase the amount of electricity that's used, but overall it's good for the planet. An electric car uses less energy than an air conditioner, and it doesn't emit carbon monoxide like a gas-powered vehicle. If you get your electricity from solar panels, then it's the greenest way to get around.