Going green, being eco-friendly, green building, are often ideas that are the trend for many years now. Most people

are cognizant of the need to be as ecological conscious as possible, in order to minimize our carbon footprint. The

fact is that, actually carrying this out and living a much more earth focused life is less difficult said then done. When

discussing heating and cooling the house, there is really nothing glamorous about going green. Even so, if one is to

actually do ones best at lowering his or her’s electricity usage, the HVAC system should be the first place to look for

it is typically the home's largest source of energy usage says Heating and Air Spokane.

Heating and Cooling Spokane WA's Different Ways to Go GreenReplacing a current heating and cooling system can be quite expensive and for most a luxury if it does not need replacing. Once it is time for a replacement HVAC unit however, there are numerous eco-friendly systems available today which can help in using less energy, being more energy efficient. One place to begin is by taking a look at Energy Star systems.

Besides, or in addition to replacing an HVAC unit, there are many others things one may do to help lower the home's energy usage. Examine the quantity of insulation at this time in the home, the condition of the windows and the usage of floor coverings can greatly help in lowering a home's energy usage. Poor insulation will affect the overall performance of an HVAC unit by as much as 30%. The insulation of duct work is critical too. Any duct work in attics, crawlspaces and garages really needs to be completely insulated. In general, make certain there aren't any cracks in the duct work. The common home looses about 20% of the air flow via duct work due to cracks. The by using a programmable thermostat can help save on monthly electric bills. Energy experts advise a winter setting of 69 degrees and a summer setting of 78 degrees. During cold weather nights, decrease it down to 55 degrees.

The best way to Make a Whole-House PlanIn terms of developing a total house plan of things to examine, the idea of "whole-house," below is a variety of places to take a look:Heating and Cooling Units, Duct work, Lighting, Insulation, Air Sealing, and Weatherization, Windows, Skylights, and Exterior Doors, Hot Water Systems, Interior Walls and Ceilings, Air Cleaning, and Exterior Finishes.

The employment of natural ventilation works well in cooling a house. The usage of ceiling fans, window fans, whole-house fans (like an attic fan), as well as just opening windows in the evening once the air temperature outside is cooler than the indoors temperature, are fantastic cost effective solutions. As for whole-house fans, if they are to be left running for prolonged periods of time, it does defeat the intent of lowering ones energy bills. Also, if pollen and dust are concerns this may not be the simplest choice. Nevertheless, they generally do quickly pull warm air out of a home.

With no need of using solar pannels, one may tap into the use of passive solar cooling. By planting deciduous trees on the south, east and west sides of the house will provide shade during the warm months and let more of the sun light in throughout the cold months of winter. Then, by planting evergreen trees around the north side of the house will help shield from winds in the winter time. Throughout the summer season, keep window drapes or blinds shut tight on south and west facing windows to help keep the house cooler. Throughout the winter, open up the curtains or blinds to allow the sun's warmth heat the household but make sure to close them at night to keep the cold air out.

We found the following article useful in terms of how to create a whole house plan:

Energy -saving tips: Creating a ' whole - house ' energy efficiency plan ...

http://eagleshield.com5/13/11

Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends about $1900 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. And each.

Windows and DoorsThe utilization of stick-on weather stripping to seal cracks around windows or doors ought to be used. The bottom of exterior doors need to have a rubber flap installed at the base to produce a tight seal when the door is closed, lowering the use of ones HVAC unit.

Lighting

Use lighting controls to help reduce the use of electricity. Controls can automatically turn off lights when not in use, such as the usage of motion sensors, times, dimmers, or photosensors. Try to use the most energy-efficient bulbs and fixtures as possible too. If ones home permits, use natural light through windows during the daytime whenever possible. Light colored paint on interior walls can certainly help reflect the sun light too. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75% less power than incandescent bulbs and generally last ten times longer. They also produce much less heat than incandescent bulbs, which will help cool a home too, making less us of ones system.

Exterior Home FinishesFinishes including stucco, concrete, brick, steel, fiber-cement and aluminum are perfect due to their longevity and their ability to not crack or degrade. Natural wood on a house's exterior requires a certain amount of upkeep and expense by doing this.

Eco - Friendly Paint, The Complete Guide | Calfinder Remodeling Blog

http://www.calfinder.com2/5/09

They're also low odor and responsibly manufactured. If you're having trouble finding a specialty brand or an eco-friendly paint on the Home Depot shelf, here's a quick and easy resource list for you. Acro Pure ... Kwal Paint has an extensive line of environmentally friendly paints, finishes, and coatings through their Green Life collection, which features over 50 products dedicated to environmental attention. EnviroKote is a complete Kwal Paint Green Life product line for ...

Heating and Air Spokane hopes this information will be beneficial in beginning or continuing to make ones home more green and environmentally friendly!