Lately, these days, we’ve heard a lot about global warming and the need to reduce emissions. And, as with all environmental issues, the best way to do your bit to save the planet is to start close to home… in your home, as a matter of fact.
If you’re building a new Orlando Home or renovating an old, beat up house (and check out Bahia Realty Group’s listings to find suitable empty plots ready for development or run-down houses just ripe for doing up), then this is a good time to consider sustainable houses. In the USA, most of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels or by nuclear energy, both of which have unwanted environmental side-effects. So by planning your house carefully, you can reduce your energy consumption and thus reduce fossil fuel dependence – not a bad thing in these days of soaring oil prices.
Now, in the Orlando area which Bahia Realty Group services, we’re lucky to have plenty of sunshine. In fact, when you’re considering the energy needs of your new house, you’re more likely to need to consider air conditioning and keeping cool rather than keeping warm. After all, the Orlando area has a long history of being a winter retreat from the cold.
Your air conditioning is often run by electricity. If you can find ways of keeping your house cool without relying on air conditioning, then you can reduce your energy consumption. Keeping the air moving is the key here. Remember all those pictures of southern belles fluttering fans to keep cool? While you shouldn’t have to fan yourself, making sure your house is well ventilated so air can keep moving is one sure-fire way to keep cool. Check out the windows when considering a new house. Can they open freely to let air in but not so freely as to let criminals in? Do you have scope for ventilation slits?
Open plan housing is also great for allowing air to circulate freely to keep you cool. Look at our Orlando Property listings to find open plan home of all shapes and sizes in the Greater Orlando area.
More in my next post on sustainable, energy-efficient Orlando Real Estate homes.
Jenn Cook