Eco-friendly has become more than just a trendy platitude spouted by condescending hipsters. There is a genuine need for us to take measures to reduce our carbon footprint if there is any hope for a future on this planet. It needn’t all be bleak though, and there are some home upgrades you can make that will have a beneficial result on your lifestyle. There are also financial benefits. For example, why not save with solar now that technology has become super-efficient?
There are a ton of cases which warrant taking a fresh look at; most of the tech has improved drastically over the past couple of years. We have put together our list of top picks of modern home upgrades for the environmentally conscious.
Underfloor Heating With A Trick Up Its Sleeve
Underfloor heating certainly does not sound like a very environmentally sound comfort to have. Not until you look into thermal storage underfloor options, that is. The technology is incredible, using cutting edge heat conductive materials in arrayed tubing built into the floor itself.
While it isn’t the most pocket-friendly option on the list, requiring that you redo your floors, it is far less costly than going about installing underfloor heating the traditional way, particularly when you consider the long term savings. As far as efficiency goes, you have to experience it to believe it. The system captures, redirects and ‘stores’ thermal energy from appliances and utilities around the home that generate a lot of heat. It combines this with heat stored from the ambient temperature in your home to heat your floors effectively and efficiently.
Heated Pool Running On Thermal Storage
Getting into the details of this, one can get a little technical, but we will do our best to explain it as we understand it. The idea of heating your pool with sunlight was never really one that took off. This is because it isn’t beneficial and doesn’t do anything for anyone wanting to take a dip in the evening.
This outmoded approach meant using a small water pump to circulate water through alternating gridded pipes across a solar thermal panel. The entirety of the technology pretty much rested on the piping being black to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight and directly heat the water. The updated iteration extends upon this idea with an interesting twist. Water is still pumped through a similar system; only now the system connects to a thermal battery underground. This thermal battery is almost identical in concept to the aforementioned underfloor heating.
Less Tech And A Little More Nature
Not every upgrade means installing some new fantastic technology in your home. One of our absolute favorite eco-conscious home upgrades comes in the way of the modern greenhouse. When we say the word ‘greenhouse’, you are forgiven for thinking about skipping this tip, but there is more to it than that. A modern greenhouse can be a beautiful, practical and enjoyable addition to your home. Rather than planting a carrot or two in a small patch of your garden, your greenhouse will become a source of joy and, let’s not forget, healthy food.
It needn’t be the massive undertaking one initially thinks it to be. Endless companies are offering great deals and installation options on custom greenhouses. It doesn’t just make sense for the environment, but for your health as well.
