But what if you're not going to be moving anytime soon, or, if you are, it will be into an existing home; can you still have an EcoHome?  You can if you take a broader approach in defining what it means to have an EcoHome!

 

Let us define an EcoHome as a home in which the occupants have achieved their potential to reduce their impact on the environment.  This definition recognizes that environmental impact is determined not only by the energy consumption and emissions associated with our home's building envelope (walls, attic, windows) and installed mechanical equipment, but also by the energy consumption and emissions associated with our lifestyle (as is keeping with the concept of the ecological footprint).  In some households, for instance, more money is spent each year on gasoline for transportation than on oil for heating.  (Click here for details.)

 

So, how can we have an EcoHome?  Actually, there are only two steps (either one can be taken first or they can be taken concurrently). 

 

First, all reasonable measures to improve the building envelope and install energy-efficient equipment and appliances should be taken.  The key word here is “reasonable.”  It would not be reasonable, for example, to replace a fully functional hot water boiler that operates at 82 percent efficiency with a new one that operates at 86 percent efficiency.  It would be reasonable to wait until the existing boiler needs to be replaced and then upgrade to a more efficient model.  Also, in the spirit of being reasonable, it is necessary to recognize that some households have financial and situational constraints that will govern what and when measures can be taken.  (To begin improving your building envelope, contact or visit the Government of Prince Edward Island's Office of Energy Efficiency for advice and assistance.)

 

Second, household occupants should adopt personal actions to minimize the environmental impact of their lifestyles, perhaps by conserving electricity and water, reducing space heating requirements, examining transportation and food choices, and trying to reduce the sheer volume of "stuff" that is brought into their homes.  By modifying your lifestyle in this way, you may also discover opportunities for improving the quality of your life.  (To begin working on lifestyle options, consider taking an Atlantic EcoWorks course or seminar.)

 

So, if you have made as many physical improvements to your home and its equipment as are feasible and have correspondingly tightened up your lifestyle to reduce your environmental impact, then you may consider your home to be an EcoHome – a home that has been modified in practical ways to be as energy-efficient as possible and in which the occupants have consciously adopted personal actions to live more lightly on the Earth!

 

The strength and advantage in defining an EcoHome in this way is two-fold in that it can be applied to all homes, not just those that are among the most energy efficient, and it recognizes the environmental consequences of lifestyle.  This inclusivity is important because it means that regardless of your individual circumstances, there is likely something yuo can do to fulfill your potential to lessen your environmental impact.  In absolute terms, you may still no end up with the most energy efficient home or lifestyle in your community, but you should take some measure of satisfaction in knowing you have done your best.