From Guest Blogger Marcus: Going Green at the Grassroots Level–Is It Worth It?

Can a homeowner really benefit from adopting environmentally sustainable habits into their daily living?  The reality is that the average person probably won’t bother to ask this question at all.

But if one stops to consider the current trends of green technology and clean energy, the effects (and benefits) are more far-reaching than we think.

Green Efforts On a Macro Level

In the recent years, more and more corporations have stepped up their sustainability efforts as a large-scale, deliberate response to the current state of the environment.  It’s not merely jumping on the bandwagon, but a real, measured effort to lessen their impact on the ecosystem.

More than that, the greater need for corporate social responsibility has driven companies not just to minimize their carbon footprint but also add something positive to the environment.

Thus, major players have taken it upon themselves to alter or change altogether the way they do business.  A noteworthy (and possibly eyebrow-raising) example of this is none other than Philip Morris International who recently announced a drastic shift in direction.  Aside from releasing a sustainability report in line with the United Nations’ environmental goals, they’ve started to roll out a line of combustion-free products, such as the IQOS vaporizer.    

Meanwhile, companies such as Pepsico, Symantec and a whole roster of others have pledged their support for Ceres, a California-based non-profit organization.  Together, they’ve committed to create and implement new practices, policies and infrastructure affecting the endangered water supply in the famed U.S. state.

The Reality of Renewable Power Hitting Home

While big organizations are creating waves of change, ordinary homeowners can also make their own ripples through their own efforts.  However, not everyone finds this an appealing option, mainly because of the economic viability of going green at home.

Using solar panels is often the gateway to using sustainable energy for residential owners.  Some families might feel that entry costs are a bit too steep, with prices ranging from £4000 to £7000 to install an average home system.  Also, the amount of sunlight in a given area may be limited to climate-related and geographical factors.  In such cases, you would need to install an additional battery backup system to store solar-generated energy that can be used at a time when the sun is not readily available.

If you happen to live in a region where wind is a more bountiful resource, you might be interested in using a turbine generator instead.  The price tag can also be a bit of a hurdle, with ballpark figures ranging from £2500 to £4000 per kilowatt of wind energy. However, wind power systems have their own set of drawbacks.  Some systems aren’t too pretty to look at and can also generate a considerable amount of noise.  Thus, it’s best to check with your local government about laws concerning this before you consider using wind power.       

Getting To The Heart Of The Matter

So it begs the question: is it worth going green and/or using renewable energy at home?

The quick answer is yes.  In spite of the initial challenges that come with embracing a sustainable approach to home living, the overall payoff is still attractive in the bigger scale of things.

And now, the long answer.  First of all, consider the fact that government subsidies are being implemented in countries such as the U.S. and U.K. as an incentive for using renewable energy.  You can take advantage of the tax credits, rebates and other types of financial assistance available in your area.  To help soften the blow, it’s best to check with your state or municipal agencies.  This can shave a considerable chunk off of your initial costs, even in the thousands.

Also, solar panels have a service life between 25 years up to half a century, making it a worthwhile investment.  A well-maintained solar power system will give back in terms of long-term financial returns.  The efficiency power rate can be high as 90% for the first 25 years or so, which will then slowly taper off over the years.  Plus, solar panel prices have been falling for several years now, making it easier for families to get their feet wet with clean power. Those reasons alone can be enough for many homeowners to take the plunge with renewable energy.

Admittedly, it will take several years – or even a decade or more – to see a return on your energy costs. However, if you generate enough power, you can also “sell” energy back to your local power provider (which is measured by what’s known as a grid sell back rate). Furthermore, U.K. residents can avail of the feed-in tariff (FIT) which offers cash payments to residents who use renewable energy resources.  Therefore, the ROI for renewable power is more on a cumulative basis, but rest assured that it will add up over time.

Small Steps, Big Change

But perhaps the biggest obstacle to going green at home is not of the financial kind, but a mental one.  Some people feel that if they cannot commit themselves 100% to green living, then they will have failed.

This is a false belief.  Think of it this way – having a home that is 50% (or even 25%) energy efficient is BETTER than not using clean energy at all.  Every watt of green energy you produce stacks up in the long run.

If installing a solar or wind power system is too much for you at this point in time, don’t fret. There’s no deadline for going “all in” – you can take other alternatives in the meantime.  What’s more important is that you take action today, even if it means taking small steps for now.

For instance, installing efficient double glazed windows can help you save on energy costs by way of reduced heating bills.  Preventing hot air from leaking out of your home will translate to less energy used to keep warm.  This is a good alternative that reduces your dependency on fossil fuels without purchasing expensive equipment to generate clean energy.

Phantom load is a form of wasted energy that is often overlooked in most households.  This is caused by appliances that unnecessarily draw power while on standby mode.  To plug this energy leak, all you need to do is purchase a smart power strip that automatically switches off devices when they are inactive.  Again, this will result in accumulated savings that stack up as the months go by.

Installing a modern lighting system at home can chip away at your power bill as well.  This includes motion-activated switches that automatically turn off the lights when there’s no one at home.  Or if you’re the tech-savvy type, smart LED bulbs controlled by a mobile app allow you to remotely customize a lighting scheme with varying degrees of intensity to conserve power.

If you want to save water, look into low flow showerheads that are designed to reduce your consumption from the usual 2.5 gallons of water per minute (GPM) to about 1.5.  This lessens the strain on your water heater, and that means less power spent on your hot shower.

Here’s another “out there” idea – why not upgrade your interior décor with sustainable furniture?  If you’ve ever watched one of those home improvement shows on TV, chances are they’ve utilised some form of eco-friendly building material, including chairs, tables, couches and the like.  To do the same, fire up Google and look for specialty stores in your area that offer décor sourced from sustainable material.

Budget friendly options include simply purchasing second-hand furniture – technically, this is still considered as going green.  Scout your neighbourhood for yard sales, hit the flea markets or check out a local auction that sells furniture from repurposed material.

Playing The Long Game

It also helps to think beyond the monetary costs of living a sustainable life.  If anything, you’re planting the seeds of an environmentally conscious mindset in future generations.  The changes you’re willing to make today can inspire future scientists and homeowners who will make their own innovations to green technology in the years to come.

Remember, every bit of effort you make will exponentially affect the quality of not just your family’s life, but your community as a whole. Ultimately, you can pioneer a wave of change from where you stand, and who knows where it will go from there?