These Sustainable Habits Can Improve Your Health and the Environment
With more and more Americans wanting a sustainable lifestyle, there is a need to know where to start on this rewarding journey. There are many approaches to a green lifestyle, and every person and family has to find the path and methods that work best for them. That said, there are a few basic actions that form the basis of sustainable living, which are a good place to start the journey. The most important thing is reducing the carbon footprint of the home.
The Starting Point
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Americans use more electricity per capita than any other people on the planet. While the move towards renewable energy is gaining momentum, it will be many decades before the use of fossil fuels is phased out. Till then, reducing a home’s energy consumption is the critical first step to sustainability. How this can be achieved is well-documented and can easily be found online. There are two actions, based on solar home solutions for a sustainable lifestyle in Santa Clara, that you can take, which often do not receive the publicity and recognition they deserve. These are:
- Reducing Daytime Electricity Use for Indoor Lighting: Many houses have rooms or areas that do not receive enough sunlight during the day. The reasons could be the location of the building, objects that block sunlight, or architectural issues. Whatever the reason, this means that artificial lights have to be used during the day. But there is now a viable green alternative in the form of tubular skylights. These high-tech devices capture the maximum amount of natural light by way of roof-mounted light collectors. The light is then carried through special tubing to the interior of the house, including the interior parts of the building where sunlight cannot penetrate. It is then diffused through the room to illuminate the area with healthy, free natural sunlight. These devices are easy to install and require no structural modifications. Once in place, they provide controllable daylight to the home’s interior with no electricity consumption at all. Going green saves money. The icing on the cake is the federal tax credit available on the installation of the tubular skylights.
Also Read: Think Smart, Breathe Smart – Home Ventilation That Won’t Drain Your Wallet
- Reducing Air Conditioning Use: Going green does not mean sweating it out in summer without the AC. There is a way to cool your home to reduce the load on the AC and thereby reduce the electricity it consumes. The way to do this is to use ventilation fans. A whole-house fan will blow the stale warm air out of the house and replace it with clean, fresh air. An attic fan will remove the hot air that rises to the top of the house so that heat does not radiate down to the rest of the structure. A garage fan will reduce the heat in this area, which often doubles as a living area of the home. These fans use a fraction of the power that ACs use, which has a major impact on power consumption. Solar-powered ventilation fans also enjoy a federal tax credit.
Learning all you need to know about solar tubes and how to reduce home cooling costs with smart ventilation is easy. Just contact Sunlight Concepts, the premier dealer for Solatube, the leader in daylighting and home ventilation technology and products. Ask for a free consultation to get all the information you need about solar home solutions for a sustainable lifestyle in Santa Clara.
Smart Ventilation & Solar Home Solutions in Santa Clara
Q1. How can I reduce my home cooling costs with smart ventilation?
A whole-house fan or attic fan can help push out hot, stale air and bring in fresh air, reducing the load on your air conditioner. These fans use much less electricity compared to AC units and can significantly lower energy bills. Solar-powered ventilation fans are even more eco-friendly and qualify for federal tax credits.
Q2. What are solar home solutions for a sustainable lifestyle in Santa Clara?
Solar home solutions include tubular skylights and solar-powered ventilation fans. Tubular skylights bring natural sunlight into areas that usually require artificial lighting, while solar fans reduce heat buildup in attics, garages, and living spaces. Both help cut electricity usage and lower your carbon footprint.
Q3. How do tubular skylights help reduce electricity consumption?
Tubular skylights capture sunlight through roof-mounted collectors and direct it inside using reflective tubing. This natural light eliminates the need for artificial lighting during the day, saving electricity and providing healthier indoor light.
Q4. Can I still stay cool in summer if I cut back on AC usage?
Yes. Smart ventilation systems like whole-house and attic fans can keep your home cooler by removing trapped heat. This reduces dependence on air conditioning while still keeping your living space comfortable.
Q5. Are there financial incentives for installing solar home solutions?
Yes. Both tubular skylights and solar-powered ventilation fans are eligible for federal tax credits, making them not only eco-friendly but also cost-effective in the long run.