Are you worried about energy use for heating your home this winter? According to studies, approximately 40 per cent of the average home’s energy use is from heating and cooling alone. And that’s without considering water heating, kitchen and home appliances or lighting. This equates to a pretty high average of carbon emissions being released just to keep us comfortable and healthy during winter.
Are you wondering how to heat your home this winter in the most environmentally friendly way possible? Is there a way to keep ourselves warm and yet still aspire to retain our green living standards?
‘Passive design’ takes advantage of the climate to maintain a comfortable temperature range in the home. This concept uses natural sources of heating and cooling, such as the sun and cooling breezes. The natural heat retaining traits of stone for example absorbs the sun’s rays, before radiating them out into an environmentally friendly and cleverly designed home that spreads the heat throughout the home evenly.
Many homes in Australia, however are not completely suitable for passive design. To be fully efficient, a home needs to be correctly orientated for the sun, have the right floor plan and even suitable shading.
IS GOING BACK TO BASICS THE ANSWER?
Living in the technologically advanced world that we do, and with innovation in all industries growing rapidly, wood is undoubtedly one of the most useful and renewable resources that we have on the planet. According to research from the CSIRO, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment it is, in fact, the simple wood burner that is most environmentally friendly for the average household.
The concern is sustainability. As long it is replaced at the same rate we burn it, and we purchase our firewood from renewable sources, an airtight, slow-burning fireplace not only gives you the chance to look after the planet, but to have a toasty warm home as well!
So, if you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly way to keep your home warm and comfortable, perhaps consider one of these methods? They could be the answer you’re looking for.