Eco Friendly Homes

Archive for April, 2009

Many older homes were built in the years before insulation was the norm like it is now; as a result, many older homes are very expensive to heat or cool even if they’ve had some insulation upgrades in the past. You may well want to factor in the cost of an extra layer of insulation in your attic if you’re looking at buying a charming vintage home. Insulating your basement or crawlspace is also a good way to save on energy. Some old homes have a serious lack of insulation in the walls; the best way to look into upgrading them is to contact a professional about your best options.

The wiring in old homes can also definitely be a problem as well; some old wiring is coated in a not-very-resilient plastic that cracks and splits with age while other older wires are coated with a fabric covering. Not all old wiring is a problem, so don’t make that leap in judgement when looking at older homes; the best way to proceed is to have an electrician with experience dealing with vintage wiring to determine the state of the wiring in the home before you sign on the dotted line so that you know just what sort of upgrades you might need to do.

The other major area that you should look at when searching for a charming vintage home is that of the plumbing. Some old homes built in the early part of the 20th century have lead pipes in their interior plumbing which negatively affects the quality of your drinking water. You should have the water in the home tested for lead, especially if you have small children as lead poisoning is so detrimental to children’s development.

First, the cost depends on how much energy your household requires. More energy you require means more solar panels and higher cost of installation. The good thing is, the technology to harness the power of the sun is relatively cheaper than it was several years ago.

Second, the government is offering a rebate to those who will switch to alternative form of energy. That means, the government will shoulder a portion of the total cost of the system.

Third, you can get tax credits when you switch to solar energy system. The amount of tax rebate depends from state to state but the range can go from $1000 to $2000.

A photovoltaic system can cost roughly at $8000 to $10000 per 1kW system. This equates to $8 to $10 per Watt. An average American household with 3 bedrooms requires at least 1.5kW to as much as 3kW. Thus, installation can cost from $14000 to $30000, before rebates and tax credits.

Solar energy is best for houses that are located far from the existing power lines.