There has been a lot of talk in the past few years about the importance of “going green” in our day-to-day lives. And while most people can see the benefits of reducing one’s personal carbon footprint, there are still some skeptics who can’t see the initial price tag attached to a lot of green technology. So what we want to know is, is it worth it? Are you doing any good for the environment, and are there any other benefits to renovating your home to make it more eco-friendly? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of a green home.
Money
When we see the phrase green home, the “green” part is obviously referring to the environmentally friendly benefits. However, for many people, there is a more important “green” that they are concerned about—money. As a result, when they see the high price tag that is attached to eco-friendly technologies such as solar panels, home automation, and smart thermostats, they are often put off immediately. However, there are a lot of energy companies who are working to make such things more affordable, meaning that there is less to pay out, and more to save. For example many energy companies are offering solar panel installation at a low price, and allowing you to buy the energy rather than the panels themselves—something which can save you thousands of dollars.
Furthermore, if you install home automation products such as smart thermostats and automated lighting, you can save money on a regular basis, by creating a more efficient heating and cooling for your house. Even a simple, programmable thermostat can be enough to cut your energy bill in half.
Convenience
What is more, automating one’s home provides a multitude of opportunities to improve convenience at home. You can use your smartphone to monitor your system, meaning you have greater control over things such as your lighting and temperature controls. This allows you to turn them off remotely and not only save energy and money, but time and effort. Most home automation companies like Vivint offer reviews and assessments of their tech, and even their competitor’s in some cases, to help you find the best fit for you. Although some aspects of these systems do not do as much for the environment, you can also use home automation to your advantage by purchasing an automatic floor cleaner. This will clean the floor while you do whatever you want, and switch itself off when it is done.
Environment
And so we get to the bottom line—what is this doing for the environment? It should never be underestimated just how large of an impact a single household can have on greenhouse gas emissions, and subsequently the overall environment. Although may not notice the difference yourself, your efforts make an impact that cannot be measured. If for no other reason, helping the environment helps you to cut down on your monthly bills and chores. But the overall impact is far more important—you are doing your part to help the earth.