Your home will need some changes or modifications with time, and you can make a difference by thinking green whenever you need to remodel or renovate your home. Our environment is changing rapidly, and it is imperative to be eco-conscious whenever you need to improve your home.
Eco Friendly home modifications are a no-brainer as they reduce your carbon footprint and save you money in the long term. They are also visually appealing and can make your house a model for your neighbors and others to follow. However, many people stay away from making major green home improvements due to cost, especially if it will take years to see returns on investment.
The following factors should guide you when deciding on green improvements to make in your home:
Location
Where you live and how long you intend to stay will influence the type of home improvements you’ll make. Home modifications are great, but they are time-consuming and cost money, so you have to be sure you are around to enjoy your investment. If you plan to leave anytime soon, you may want to make only budget-friendly home modifications.
Energy Efficiency
Knowing how energy-efficient your home is will also guide you when making home improvements. Conducting an energy audit helps you identify areas of energy inefficiency in your home and lets you know what energy improvements to carry out.
Rebates and Incentives
Local authorities often provide tax breaks and discounts on eco-friendly home modifications. Check with your local office for information on grants, rebates, and other incentives that can help reduce the cost of making your home eco-friendlier.
Top 5 Eco Friendly Modifications You Should Make
The following are top eco-friendly modifications you should consider making to your home:
Solar Roof Panels
Solar roof panels are becoming more common as a renewable energy source. More people are investing in solar panels for their homes as it makes them less dependent on the grid and offers long-term energy savings. Other benefits of installing solar panels on your roof include:
- Increased property value
- Low maintenance costs
- Possibility of becoming energy-independent
- You can sell excess energy generated to the grid
- Access to rebates and tax breaks
For all its advantages, solar energy requires a high initial investment, and this downside makes it unappealing to some people. However, solar panels are at the most affordable they have ever been today, and the benefits make the investment worth it anyway. Because of the high cost of getting solar panels, it is advisable to get equipment insurance to protect your investment in case of a damaging windstorm, fire, or other incidents.
Smart Lights
Having the right bulbs in your home can make a lot of difference. Smart lights are designed to utilize energy more efficiently with in-built scheduling options and are better for your wallet and the planet. Buying smart lights is probably the simplest way to make your home eco-friendlier. All you need to do is buy them and replace your old bulbs.
Newer smart bulbs come with advanced functions like wireless communication that allow you to control them via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi on a mobile app. Smart lights are also quite affordable, with some bulbs selling for as low as $15.
Smart Thermostats
According to experts like an air conditioning installation company, getting a programmable thermostat to monitor your home’s HVAC system is also an easy, affordable way to increase your home’s eco-friendliness. Having your hvac system serviced by a professional hvac services technician can also help make it more energy efficient. Heating and air conditioning services need to be scheduled at least once a year to extend your hvac system’s operational lifespan. The Department of Energy advises that adjusting your thermostat’s temperature setting by 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit below normal for 8 hours daily can lead to 10% energy savings every year.
However, your daily activities can make you forget to adjust your thermostat as required. Smart thermostats offer a way around this problem by allowing you to program their temperature settings for various times of the day and even allow real-time control via your mobile app.
Dual Pane Windows
Another way of adding to your home’s eco-friendliness is installing dual pane windows. These windows can reduce your home’s energy usage by up to 18% in summer and 24% in winter. Dual-pane windows are made from two layers of glass filled with dense gas that traps warm air in summer and cool air in winter, reducing the amount of air conditioning or heat you need in your home.
Note that you may need to change all the windows in your home to double pane windows to achieve full energy efficiency, which can also be costly. However, the long-term energy benefits make it a popular and worthwhile investment.
Green Flooring
Green floors are also becoming widespread in many US homes. Commonly used wood floors contribute to deforestation in many places in the world, and vinyl floors are non-recyclable and leave a high carbon footprint. Fortunately, homeowners are turning to greener flooring materials like linoleum, bamboo, cork, recycled rubber, and reclaimed wood for their homes.
Other Green Home Improvements to Consider
You can make your home greener by adopting some of these habits:
Washing your clothes in cold water
Using your washing machine without heat can offer up to 90% energy savings and also lets you reduce your carbon footprint with reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Line drying your clothes instead of using your dryer also adds to your home’s eco-friendliness, especially during the sunny months.
Use Low VOC Paints
Low VOC paints have reduced amounts of volatile compounds than traditional paints and do not give off as much harmful gas. These eco-friendly paints also minimize exposure to chemicals that may be risk factors for asthma, eye irritation, respiratory problems, and other health conditions.
Buy Pre-owned Items
Pre-owned items offer a cost-effective way to redo your home without increasing your carbon footprint. You can even get high-end pre-owned items like kitchen cabinets, doorknobs, light fixtures, and mantels at salvage yards and antique shops. You can also get creative with DIY home improvements whenever possible instead of buying. There are many DIY guides for home modifications online to help you and your family make simple, eco-friendly home modifications.
Final Words
Eco friendly home improvements are becoming popular as more people become aware of the need to be environmentally conscious. While major eco-friendly home modifications may be costly at first, their benefits make the investment worthwhile. They also allow you to contribute to keeping the planet safe and healthy for today and the future.