Why You Should Move Your House to Electrical, Seal and Insulate, and Use DC and Renewable Energy

FUTURE-PROOF YOUR HOME AND LOWER BILLS: HOW CONVERTING TO ELECTRIC, IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, AND HARNESSING RENEWABLES ADDS VALUE

Living off the grid is a lifestyle choice that more and more people are making nowadays, thanks to romanticized YouTube channels on the topic. In essence, it means disconnecting from mainstream society and relying on your own resources for power, water, food, and other needs. It’s rural living for people with money and time, but It also means living more sustainably, independently, and healthily. 

The world is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change, rising energy costs, and environmental degradation. As homeowners, we have a responsibility and an opportunity to make our homes more sustainable, resilient, and efficient. By converting everything to electric, improving efficiency, sealing our home, and harnessing renewables, we can future-proof our home and lower our bills, while adding value, saving money, and being great for the environment. Here are some of the benefits and tips of how to do it.

Converting everything to electric

One of the most effective ways to future-proof your home and lower your bills is to convert everything to electric. This means replacing your gas or oil furnace, boiler, water heater, stove, dryer, and other appliances with electric ones. By doing this, you can eliminate your dependence on fossil fuels, reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, and save money on your energy bills. According to a study by the Rocky Mountain Institute, electrifying your home can save you up to $2,500 per year on your energy costs. Moreover, electric appliances are more efficient, reliable, and safer than gas or oil ones, and they can last longer and require less maintenance.

Some electrical appliances to consider are:

• Heat pumps: Heat pumps are devices that transfer heat from one place to another, using electricity. They can provide heating and cooling for your home. They’re also now found in some hot water tanks, dryers, and dishwashers. Heat pumps are much more efficient than conventional furnaces or boilers, as they can deliver up to four times more heat than the electricity they consume. Heat pumps can also work with renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to further reduce your carbon footprint and energy bills, though you need to know they peak at 2kwh on average.
• Induction cooktops: Induction cooktops are stoves that use electromagnetic fields to heat up pots and pans, without using any flames or gas. Induction cooktops are more efficient, faster, and safer than gas or electric stoves, as they only heat the cookware and not the surrounding air. Induction cooktops can also save you up to 50% on your cooking energy costs, and they can be easily controlled and cleaned.
• Electric dryers: Electric dryers are appliances that use electricity to dry your clothes, instead of gas or propane. Electric dryers are more efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective than gas or propane dryers, as they use less energy and produce less emissions. Electric dryers can also be paired with heat pump technology, which can reduce your drying energy consumption by up to 60%, and they can be connected to smart devices, such as thermostats or timers, to optimize your drying cycles and save money.

Improving efficiency

Another way to future-proof your home and lower your bills is to improve the efficiency of your home. This means making sure that your home is well insulated, ventilated, and sealed, to prevent heat loss and air leakage. By doing this, you can improve your indoor comfort, air quality, and health, while reducing your heating and cooling costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to 30% on your energy bills by improving the efficiency of your home. Moreover, improving the efficiency of your home can increase its value, as buyers are willing to pay more for energy-efficient homes.

Some of the efficiency improvements you can make are:

• Insulation: Insulation is the material that covers your walls, ceilings, floors, and attic, to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insulation can reduce the heat transfer between your home and the outside, and lower your heating and cooling needs. Insulation can also reduce the noise and moisture levels in your home, and prevent mold and pests. Insulation can be made of different materials, such as fiberglass, cellulose, foam, or wool, and it can have different ratings, such as R-value or U-value, which measure its thermal resistance. The higher the rating, the better the insulation. You should check the insulation levels in your home, and add more if needed, especially in the attic, where most of the heat loss occurs.
• Ventilation: Ventilation is the process of exchanging the air in your home with the fresh air from the outside, to remove pollutants, odors, and moisture. Ventilation can improve the air quality and health of your home, as well as prevent condensation and mold. Ventilation can be natural, such as opening windows and doors, or mechanical, such as using fans, ducts, or vents. You should ensure that your home has adequate ventilation, especially in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry, where most of the moisture and pollutants are generated. You should also consider installing a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or an energy recovery ventilator (ERV), which are devices that exchange the heat or energy between the incoming and outgoing air, to reduce your heating and cooling costs and improve your indoor comfort.
• Sealing: Sealing is the act of closing the gaps and cracks in your home, where air can leak in or out. Sealing can prevent heat loss and air infiltration, and lower your heating and cooling costs. Sealing can also reduce the noise and dust levels in your home, and protect it from water damage and pests. Sealing can be done by using caulking, weatherstripping, or foam, to seal the areas around your windows, doors, pipes, outlets, and vents. You should check the air tightness of your home, and seal any leaks you find, especially in the basement and attic, where most of the air leakage occurs.

Harnessing renewables

A third way to future-proof your home and lower your bills is to harness renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or hydro, to power your home. By doing this, you can reduce your reliance on the grid, lower your carbon footprint, and save money on your energy bills. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, renewable energy can save you up to 40% on your electricity costs. Moreover, renewable energy can increase the value of your home, as buyers are willing to pay more for homes with renewable energy systems.

Some of the renewable energy systems you can install are:

• Solar panels: Solar panels are devices that convert sunlight into electricity, using photovoltaic cells. Solar panels can be installed on your roof, ground, or walls, to generate clean and free electricity for your home. Solar panels can also be connected to batteries, which can store the excess electricity for later use, or to the grid, which can allow you to sell the surplus electricity and earn credits. Solar panels can also be integrated with other systems, such as heat pumps or electric vehicles, to further reduce your energy consumption and costs.
• Wind turbines: Wind turbines are devices that convert wind into electricity, using blades and generators. Wind turbines can be installed on your property, if you have enough space and wind speed, to generate clean and free electricity for your home. Wind turbines can also be connected to batteries or the grid, like solar panels, to store or sell the excess electricity. Wind turbines can also be combined with solar panels, to create a hybrid system that can produce electricity even when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing.
• Hydro systems: Hydro systems are devices that convert water into electricity, using turbines and generators. Hydro systems can be installed on your property, if you have access to a stream, river, or lake, to generate clean and free electricity for your home. Hydro systems can also be connected to batteries or the grid, like solar panels and wind turbines, to store or sell the excess electricity. Hydro systems can also be used to heat or cool your home, by using the water as a source or sink of heat.

Natural landscaping for wildlife

A fourth way to future-proof your home and lower your bills is to create a natural landscape for wildlife, instead of using just grass on your property. By doing this, you can attract and support a variety of birds, insects, and animals, that can enhance the beauty, diversity, and health of your garden. You can also reduce your water, fertilizer, and pesticide use, and save money on your maintenance costs. According to the National Wildlife Federation, natural landscaping for wildlife can save you up to 50% on your water bills and up to 70% on your labor costs. Moreover, natural landscaping for wildlife can increase the value of your home, as buyers are looking for more eco-friendly and wildlife-friendly gardens.

Some of the natural landscaping ideas you can implement are:

• Native plants: Native plants are plants that are adapted to the local climate, soil, and wildlife, and have evolved over thousands of years. Native plants are more resilient, drought-tolerant, and pest-resistant than exotic plants, and they can provide food, shelter, and habitat for native wildlife. Native plants can also create a naturalistic and colorful garden, that can reflect the regional identity and character of your area. You should choose native plants that suit your site conditions, such as sun, shade, moisture, and soil, and that offer different benefits for different seasons, such as flowers, fruits, seeds, and foliage. You should also plant native plants in groups or clusters, to create a more natural and attractive look, and to facilitate pollination and seed dispersal.
• Water features: Water features are elements that add water to your garden, such as ponds, birdbaths, fountains, or streams. Water features can attract and support a variety of wildlife, such as birds, butterflies,Water features can attract and support a variety of wildlife, such as birds, butterflies, frogs, fish, and dragonflies, that can add life, color, and sound to your garden. Water features can also create a relaxing and soothing atmosphere, that can improve your mood and well-being. You should choose water features that suit your space, budget, and style, and that provide clean and fresh water for wildlife. You should also place water features in a sunny and visible spot, and add plants, rocks, or logs, to create a natural and inviting look, and to provide shelter and hiding places for wildlife.