Winter is coming! Scratch that, it’s definitely here. Hopefully, you’ve managed to stay comfortable thus far, and ideally, you outlast the colder season without driving your energy consumption too high. At Arbus Mountain Homes we work with our clients to ensure the elements that matter in your custom-built Canmore mountain modern home, matter to us; that includes the environment.
Did you know that during the winter months you can still reduce your carbon footprint and keep the bills at bay? That's right! If your home is older and was not built to our current high insulation and airtight standards, here are 7 tips for eco-friendly winter living. With a little extra effort, you won’t have to choose between freezing and wearing every item of winter clothing in your closet, at once.
1. Block The Drafts: If a draft is breezing in from underneath your doors, you could be wasting anywhere from 5 to 30 percent of your home’s energy. Keep those winter temperatures out and the warm air in by placing a rolled-up towel in the space between the door and the floor.
2. Lower That Thermostat: Challenge yourself to keep your thermostat just two degrees cooler than you normally do throughout the winter months. You shouldn’t feel a huge difference, but the environment will thank you. Offset the change in temperature by drinking more hot beverages, extra throw blankets, and maybe even some fuzzy slippers.
3. Replace Your Air Filters: This is a pro tip that will help keep your furnace working well throughout the year, but it’s extra important during the winter months when you’ll be heating your home 24/7. Dirty air filters can restrict airflow, forcing your furnace to work overtime.
4. Winterize Water Lines: Is your air conditioner taking in H2O? Drain any hoses and AC pipes, empty any water that’s pooled in the systems and shut off the AC water valve – you won’t need that for a while. If you’ve been using a window unit all summer, bring it inside to store during the cold months, otherwise, you’ll be inviting in drafty air through your windows.
5. Ceiling Fan Switch: Probably the easiest thing to do on this list is to run your ceiling fans in a clockwise direction, which will pull the warm, heated air from the ceiling and push it down into your home, cutting your heating costs by about 10 percent.
6. Use LEDs Or Lumen Lights: With longer nights and shorter days, light is very important throughout the winter months. To help your body get the light it craves, choose efficient sources like LED light bulbs and lumen lights.
7. Add Eco-Friendly Insulation: Climb up into your attic and increase the amount of insulation during warmer months. This works to help keep the heat inside the house. From wool to cork to even old jeans, insulation can be produced from a number of recycled or green materials and will make your home more energy-efficient this winter.
Until you are ready to have us build your mountain modern home, use these tips to make your home more comfortable and environmentally friendly.
Stay warm this season, and happy holidays!
