22
Jun, 2022
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Eco-Renovation: An Ideal Solution To Reduce Your Energy Bill

There are many reasons to renovate your home. The need to reduce the energy bill is one of them because it represents a large part of the expenses for a household. In this case, eco-renovation is the best solution. However, this type of work is far from easy to achieve.

Therefore, it is essential to first define the elements that most affect energy consumption, and the work to be done will then focus on the said elements. On the other hand, the work must be carried out by a specialized company, ideally certified, to ensure a realization in accordance with the environmental standards in force. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn more about eco-renovation.

What is eco-renovation?

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The eco-renovation is the set of works that consists in improving a house while aiming, in general, the following points

    • The improvement of the comfort of the occupants of the house
    • The reduction of energy consumption
    • The contribution to the preservation of the environment

The eco-renovation is primarily intended for owners of old houses wishing to improve the energy performance of the house. It is also intended for future owners who wish to benefit from a more ecological house.

We watch our water flow

Energy savings also happen in the bathroom! Before brushing your teeth, think about installing a masseur on your faucet. At around 10 $, it can reduce the water flow by 50%… This is not negligible! Finally, to avoid unnecessary water flow, a toothbrush is a must. And it goes without saying that we prefer showers to baths!

Yes, because we often prefer cool showers to hot baths in summer. So let’s look at the bright side: cooler showers tone up and put you in a “good mood”! For those of you who are a bit chilly, there are intelligent shower heads that help control water consumption. Economical and ecological, they allow you to avoid a cold shower when you receive your water bill!

What are the works to be done for eco-renovation?

In this type of project, many options are available to you. However, each work must meet a specific need of the house. Similarly, the specificity of the work also concerns the choice of materials to be used. This is one of the criteria that attests that the work meets the criteria of eco-renovation.

The energy performance diagnosis

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Before starting the work, it is essential to define the essential points on which the interventions must be made. This will also allow defining the extent and the nature of the work to be done. To reduce the energy consumption of a house, the realization of an energy performance diagnosis is essential.

Energy renovation

Energy renovation is an essential component of the eco-renovation concept. It allows not only to reduce the emission of harmful gases to the environment but also to reduce the energy consumption of the house, and thus the bill. Energy renovation generally involves several types of work:

Insulation work

To save energy, it is essential to review the insulation of the house. A choice of material also accompanies this. We prefer biosourced and natural materials. In this case, wood fiber is a wise choice for exterior insulation, especially because of its performance. For floor and roof insulation, hemp can be chosen, as this material is sustainable and massively produced.

The choice of heating energy

Heating is a major expense for a household. To optimize heating and reduce its impact on the energy bill, it is necessary to opt for green energies: solar panels and wind turbines (for electricity production), solar water heaters, and, finally, wood stoves or low-temperature gas boilers.

Which company to choose for eco-renovation?

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To succeed in eco-renovation and benefit from its advantages, choosing the company in charge of the work is essential. To ensure that the work respects the principles of eco-renovation, the company that will carry out the renovation must ideally be RGE qualified. This also allows the owner to benefit from state aid to reduce the bills related to the work. Choose a company that Specializes in general masonry work such as house construction and extension.

Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about eco-renovation.

13
May, 2021

The Fundamentals of Eco-Renovation

The Fundamentals of Eco-Renovation

 Summary

 – Eco-renovation: its advantages

 – Characteristics of an eco-renovation

 You want to live in a healthy, comfortable, and ecological house? Have you decided not to remain passive in the face of environmental degradation? Here are some indications to help you understand the basics of eco-renovation.

 Eco-renovation: its advantages

 The eco-renovation consists of adapting an existing construction to create a comfortable and healthy interior space while seeking to reduce its impact on the environment, taking into account

 – the work done (low impact materials, heritage quality,…);

 – the use of the house (heating, water, waste, transportation).

 Determining criteria

 Here are several reasons that can motivate this approach:

 – To adapt the existing to the current comfort requirements.

 – To reduce expenses.

 – To gain independence from the fluctuations of energy costs.

 – To improve comfort (no more “cold walls”, no unwanted air movements,…).

 – Reduce the risks of building degradation (condensation on or in the walls).

 – Create activity in a high-potential field (creation of wealth, non-relocatable jobs…).

 – Anticipate future thermal regulations.

 – Respond to environmental issues:

 ◦ climate change;

 ◦ depletion of resources;

 ◦ risks to health and biodiversity (waste, nuclear accident, oil spill, etc.).

 Investing in the existing rather than building new

 The reasons can be diverse:

 – Safeguarding agricultural land.

 – Preserve and enhance the local heritage.

 – The non-increase of the local authorities’ expenses (networks, waste collection, etc.).

 – The conservation of a dynamic of town or neighborhood.

 – The limitation of energy consumption of construction mainly due to the structural work.

 Characteristics of an eco-renovation

 Take the time to design the project.

 Above all, it is a question of taking the time to:

 – Carry out an inventory of the existing: the building system and its specificities, the possible problems of humidity to be solved, the solid points/weak points of the existing (inertia, orientation, the layout of the rooms,…), the patrimonial elements to be protected.

 – Define the objectives of the renovation.

 – Call upon the competent people for:

 ◦ free advice: renovation platform, etc.;

 ◦ the design and management of the construction site.

 Taking energy performance into account

 Given the current comfort requirements and the environmental impact of energy consumption, an eco-renovation must imperatively take into account the energy performance of the house:

 – Aim for the residential green building standards, which appear to be the most relevant to your project.

 – Give priority to insulation, airtightness, efficient ventilation, and summer comfort (inertia, solar protection).

 – Think about renewable energies (solar, wood, especially wood pellets).

 Reduce the environmental impact of the work done

 The manufacture and implementation of materials for your renovation are not neutral from an environmental point of view. To reduce their impact, choose bio-sourced materials (mainly of plant origin) or recycled materials.

 Find the right balance between architectural quality, heritage preservation, quality of use (comfort and low costs), and environmental impact.

 Important: Have an airtightness test performed during the construction and at the end of the work: it is one of the best ways to verify the quality of the implementation.

 Look for quality

 Call on professionals with a proven track record:

 – Ask for references from jobs similar to yours.

 Ensure that the professionals are aware of the stakes of eco-renovation and are trained in the relevant fields.

 Note: in the case of an old building, do not forget to consider the behavior of the wall with humidity (capillary rise, opening to water vapor).

 Do not forget:

 – Air quality: use finishing products with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions, and don’t forget ventilation.

 – Water management, whether it is rainwater or water consumption (use of aerators and water-saving showerheads).

All in all, these were the basics of eco-renovation. Please, feel free to share, comment, and add more ideas from your side.