The Environmentally Friendly Home

In this article, we take a look at the environmentally friendly home, and what you can do to go green.

Spend Less, Save More

Making your home environmentally friendly is also a great way to save money on bills; it all boils down to being energy efficient. There are several ways you can achieve this.

Control Your Indoor Temperature

You're running the air conditioner, but you've got the blinds open and the sun is streaming in. Maybe you've turned on the heater but accidentally left a window open. These examples will cost you money because they aren't energy efficient, nor are they environmentally friendly.

What's the solution? Close that window, and close the blinds. If you feel like all you do when you are home is open and close blinds and shutters, consider making your home motorised and automated. Sensors can be added to motorised blinds so that they can sense the outdoor environment and adjust themselves depending on a pre-set light or temperature threshold. On a hot day, they'll automatically close and keep the heat out to make the room cooler. Similarly, on a winter's day, they'll open to let the much-needed sunshine in.

Either way, motorised blinds can help you save in more ways than one, which is why many people are choosing them in an effort to make their home greener.

Go Solar!

Almost everything in your home is powered by electricity: your air conditioner, your kettle, your lights...instead of staying with traditional resources, many Australian homeowners are choosing to go green with solar power.

For some, this involves installing solar panels on their roofs. Not only does that harness the natural energy of the sun, but it significantly decreases their energy bills.

Surprisingly, solar panels don't have to solely live on your roof. With Somfy, you have the option of a solar-powered motor, allowing you to recharge the motor's battery via a solar panel.

Be Smart

Be smart in how you furnish your home.

• Choose energy-efficient light bulbs
• When selecting appliances, purchase those that have several energy-saving stars
• Choose a shower over a bath, because showering uses only 14% of the water that baths need
• Wherever you can, choose recycled products. If an item, like a cereal box or toilet tissue, is recycled, it will read so on the packet. These are little changes, but everything adds up.

Why Should You Go Green?

These can seem like big changes, especially if you're used to the traditional methods of doing things. Perhaps you're thinking that your actions don't have a particular impact on the environment anyway. Going green does not solely protect the environment by reducing pollution, waste and climate change; it also has positive impacts on your own life.

You will save money, energy and time. Living in a green home is convenient, modern and impressive.

If that doesn't convince you, or if you have any questions about going green, we at Somfy can help you out. If you would like information on how our innovative products can help the environment, feel free to contact us.