The Green Ceiling (plafond Vegetal) has numerous benefits. When it comes to the environmental impact of your home, the energy use is usually the biggest factor. But there’s another big one that often gets overlooked, and it’s a real concern for anyone concerned about global warming and saving money on energy bills. It has nothing to do with how much you pay for power or heating oil, but rather how much carbon dioxide is being emitted into the atmosphere from our homes.
The amount of carbon dioxide released by our homes is actually pretty staggering. In the US alone, our houses produce over 40 million tons of CO2 per year, which means we’re responsible for around 5% of all the greenhouse gases in the air. That number doesn’t even include emissions from our cars and other transportation sources, like planes and trains, nor does it account for the emissions produced when we heat our homes with fossil fuels. These numbers are only going up as more of us turn to renewable energy sources like solar panels and windmills.
So what can homeowners do? The first thing they have to change is their mindset. We’ve become so used to thinking of ourselves as consumers instead of citizens that most people don’t think of themselves as part of the problem. But if everyone changed their behavior just a little bit (and not in a bad way), we could make a huge difference. One simple step is to start buying products made using less energy, or at least ones that you know aren’t harmful to the environment.
For example, if you’ve ever bought a pair of shoes that were advertised as “breathable” or “sweat-resistant,” chances are good that those words were plastered over some product that was made using sweatshop labor or harmful chemicals. Instead, look for shoes that say “sustainable,” “organic,” or “made locally.” If you want to take things a step further, you might consider shopping at a local farmers market where you can buy organic foods directly from the farmer who grew them without having to ship them long distances.
Once you’ve started making these changes in your lifestyle, you’ll find that you start making choices that reflect your values, too. For example, if you’re a vegetarian, you may not be able to eat meat unless it’s certified organic, grown humanely and without pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, or steroids. But it’s also possible that you won’t mind eating something that’s raised in an environmentally friendly way. And even if that isn’t an option for you, you can still start making your own food from scratch, or find recipes that are low in fat and sugar. Just because something is healthy doesn’t mean it has to taste great!
Now that you’ve decided to go green, you need to make sure your house is taking part in the effort as well. There are lots of ways to do this. You might choose to install a water heater that uses natural gas instead of electricity, or swap out your old appliances with the latest models that use less energy. But while these options will definitely help reduce your energy bill, they won’t necessarily cut down on your overall carbon footprint. This is why you should add a “green ceiling” to your home.
A green ceiling is essentially a system that removes excess humidity from your home. This is done by drawing outside air through large vents in your roof, and then passing it through a filter that absorbs extra moisture before releasing it back into the air. Since air conditioners are typically powered by electricity anyway, there’s no reason not to use electricity to run the ventilation fans. The result is that your home is getting rid of its excess humidity, and you’re helping prevent your home from becoming a greenhouse.
There are plenty of companies that sell systems like this, and several are also available for DIY installation. Some of these systems come with filters that remove particulates and odors from the air, but others simply absorb the pollutants themselves. Either way, installing a green ceiling is a great way to save money on your utility bills without sacrificing comfort.
If your home is equipped with a forced-air furnace, you can also consider installing a programmable thermostat to better control the temperature inside and improve efficiency. While many people are happy to let the furnace run nonstop all day, there’s no reason to do this if it’s not necessary. Using a programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature according to your schedule, helping you conserve energy while staying comfortable and comfortable.
Even if you don’t currently have a green ceiling, you can still do your part by making sure your home is properly insulated. Insulation reduces the amount of warmth retained in the walls and floors, keeping heat trapped and lowering your heating costs. In addition, adding insulation to windows and doors cuts down on drafts, allowing hot air to escape and creating an enclosed space that’s naturally cooler.
While you might be tempted to buy expensive insulation that claims to be “carpet safe,” it’s best to stick with fiberglass or cellulose insulating materials. They’re much cheaper than foam, and they won’t cause any damage to your carpets. Plus, they’re recyclable, unlike the plastic foams that eventually get thrown away and end up in landfills.
With a little luck, your home will never again emit as much carbon dioxide as it did before you installed a green ceiling. But even if you don’t accomplish that goal, you’ll still likely see lower utility bills and a smaller carbon footprint on your monthly statement. After all, it’s always smarter to spend less money now rather than trying to recoup lost expenses later. So put on your sneakers, grab your bags, and head outside with the family; it’s time to get moving toward a greener future.
Conclusion
The Green ceiling can be a good method of insulation to the house so that the temperature of the house remain good and comfortable because of the Sun rays as it also lowers your heat costs and makes the environment cooler compared to the environment outside.
