RAPID CITY, S.D. – Sustainability aims to meet the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations. One effective way to embrace sustainability while being mindful of both the environment and your wallet is by constructing or retrofitting a sustainable house. Not only does this decision potentially increase resale value, but it also offers long-term savings on energy, water, and utility costs while contributing to environmental preservation.
Key Considerations in Building Sustainable Homes
Dave Holland, a member of the Rapid City Sustainability Committee, emphasizes three crucial factors to consider when building a sustainable home:
- Location – Opt for a location that minimizes transportation costs to work, school, and other essential destinations
- Size – Smaller homes are more energy-efficient, easier to maintain, and require fewer materials for construction
- Orientation – Properly orienting the house, especially towards the south to take advantage of sunlight, can enhance energy efficiency
Holland also underscores the importance of using locally sourced materials to reduce shipping costs and advocates for recycled materials while avoiding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) harmful to health.
Examples of VOCs:
- Certain paints and finishes
- Upholstery and foam
- Composite wood products (i.e. laminated wood)
- Certain carpets or vinyl flooring
Sustainable Practices for Existing Homes
For those who already own a house, Holland suggests several cost-effective measures to enhance sustainability:
- Install a smart thermostat
- Conduct an energy audit to identify areas for improvement
- Address drafts by assessing window efficiency and considering replacements if necessary
- Use less water by taking shorter showers or being conscious of how
Sustainable Living Inside the Home
In addition to energy-efficient lighting and water conservation efforts, homeowners can explore renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal systems to further reduce environmental impact and utility expenses.
Other design basics:
- Water heater location – Have the water heater near or next to bathrooms, laundry, and kitchen to reduce the waiting time of hot water
- Insulation, windows and doors – Additional insulation and higher quality windows or doors can provide lower unity costs
- Consider ceiling fans or portable fans/heaters to reduce your gas or electric bill
Holland does want to remind the public that South Dakota is one of three states that does not have any form of net metering, which is common if you have an alternative source of energy. “Net metering is if you have extra energy produced by the solar, that the power company pays you about what you pay them. So it’s a net loss. So if you’re paying $0.11, they pay you $0.11 a kilowatt hour. And South Dakota is one of three states that does not yet have that… we [South Dakota] get about $0.02 a kilowatt hour, which is a lot less. If that changed, it would make that economics of doing solar a lot easier for people that have fewer resources,” he says.
Sustainable Landscaping Practices
Beyond the confines of the house, Holland recommends sustainable landscaping practices to minimize water usage and maintenance requirements:
- Amend soil with compost to improve water retention and plant growth
- Planting trees on the south side of the house provides shade in the summer and once the leaves fall, provides heat (from the sun) in the winter
- Similar to number two, planting trees on the east and west sides, to provide shade in the morning and afternoon
- Opt for native plants that are well-adapted to the local climate, requiring less water and maintenance compared to non-native species
By integrating these sustainable principles into home construction, maintenance, and landscaping, individuals can not only reduce their ecological footprint but also enjoy long-term cost savings and contribute positively to the environment.
Holland says that if you want to follow up with the Rapid City Sustainability Committee check out their website, here, where you can find their “Start Now” campaign. “Sustainability means so many things to so many people. We wanted to narrow it down to things that we see as important for Rapid City. So we divide it into five categories. And we gave very practical, small, medium and large things that you can do in each category on our website. And those categories are energy, water, waste, landscaping, and food,” Holland says.
More Tips on winterizing your house
Weather-Stripping:
Weather-stripping comes in various types, each suitable for different applications. Here are some common types of weather-stripping:
- Threshold Weather-Stripping – Designed for the bottom of a door. You can measure your door, purchase material of the approximate height and width, and trim it to the final size. It’s typically nailed into place.
- Door-Bottom Weather-Stripping – Aluminum and vinyl stripping for the bottom of your door. Cost-effective, easy to install, and has decent durability, lasting for several years.
- Tubular Vinyl Gasket Stripping – This type is used for both windows and doors. It’s durable and flexible, making it suitable for sealing uneven gaps and joints.
- Thin Spring Metal Stripping – Both windows and doors, this type is highly durable, though it tends to be more expensive. When properly applied, it’s nearly invisible, making it a good choice for aesthetics. Professional installation is recommended.
- Foam-Backed Tape – Easy to install and budget-friendly. However, it may wear out more quickly, so it’s best suited for windows and doors that aren’t frequently used.
The choice of weather-stripping depends on your specific needs, such as the location where you plan to install it and the level of durability required.
Caulking:
Caulking is a valuable tool for sealing cracks and joints to prevent drafts from entering your home or business. It should be applied wherever two immobile parts of a building come together. Here are some common areas where caulking is used:
- Around Window Sills and Door Frames – Caulk around these areas helps seal gaps and prevent air from getting into your home.
- Around Chimneys
- Intake and Exhaust Vents – Caulking around these vents can help maintain your building’s energy efficiency by preventing drafts.
These are just a few examples of where caulking can be applied to your home or business.
Different types of caulking are available, each with its own characteristics and best uses. Here are some common types of caulking:
- Oil-Based Caulks – These are the least expensive but also the least durable. They are best suited for narrow cracks and are not as versatile as other options.
- Butyl-Based Caulks – These caulks are medium-priced and offer reasonable durability. They work well in various applications and provide a good balance between cost and performance.
- Acrylic Latex Caulks – Acrylic latex caulks are also medium-priced, fairly durable, and easy to work with. They are a popular choice for many sealing and caulking tasks because of their versatility.
- Silicone-Based Caulks – Silicone caulks are the most expensive but also the most durable. They are known for their long-lasting performance and resistance to moisture. They are often used in areas where a waterproof seal is crucial.
- Oakum, Caulking Cotton, Sponge Rubber, or Fiberglass – These materials are suitable for filling larger cracks or holes. After filling the larger gaps with these materials, regular caulking can be applied to seal smaller cracks and joints effectively.
Other Tips:
Seal the gaps around electrical outlets by using Styrofoam plugs available at hardware stores, helps reduce energy loss around outlet plugs and light switches in your home.
When it comes to garage doors, using thick and durable weather-stripping, such as fiberglass duct wrap, can effectively seal off a common area where energy leakage often occurs.
Finally, lowering your thermostat when you leave the house. Koupal recommends that you only decrease it by a few degrees, since your house will retain the heat during the day but won’t have work hard to catch back up when you get home. Programmable thermostats can be programed to automatically adjust based on user inputs and smart thermostats learns the users routines and will adjust accordingly.
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