Green home improvements may be done simply to save money and/or to help save the Earth. When homeowners take steps to improve their homes using green techniques, the end result is both a reduction in the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere from their home and also reduced expenses over time due to decreased energy usage (i.e., lower utility bills). The purpose of this article is to give examples of some of the types of green home improvements that homeowners can do to turn their living space into a more environmentally friendly and comfortable home.
1) Energy-Efficient Appliances
Replacing existing appliances with new ones that are rated as “energy-efficient” is one of the best ways to make your home more environmentally conscious. These appliances will reduce energy/water usage and help to lower your overall impact on the environment while saving you money on your utilities.
Energy Star-rated appliances: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides an easy-to-use labeling program called “Energy Star,” which recognizes products that exceed EPA’s requirements for energy efficiency.
Efficient heating/cooling: You should consider replacing your old Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit with a newer, more energy-efficient model, or install a programmable thermostat to optimize how often your unit runs.
Water-saving devices: Installing low-flow shower heads, faucets and low-flush toilets are all ways to decrease your household water consumption without decreasing the performance of these fixtures.
Replacing energy-inefficient appliances with new energy-efficient models will help to save you money on your utilities, save the environment, and make your home a greener place to live.
2) Renewable Energy
Using renewable energy is one of the most effective methods for reducing your environmental impact. There are several different forms of renewable energy including solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal, etc. Most of us could easily replace our traditional electric power generation with a renewable source, either partially or totally.
Solar Power: A common type of renewable energy is solar power. It produces no pollution and uses sunlight to produce the energy needed to power your home. In addition to producing zero pollution, solar panels can greatly reduce your electricity bills.
Wind Energy: Wind turbines are another form of renewable energy. They work well in windy locations and can provide an alternative source of energy for homes in those areas.
Battery Storage: To maximize the benefits of renewable energy systems, pair the systems with battery storage units. Battery storage allows you to store excess energy generated by your renewable energy system so you can use it when there is little or no energy being produced by your renewable energy system (i.e., at night).
Investing in renewable energy will allow you to power your home with clean, sustainable energy, reduce your reliance on non-renewable energy sources, and provide the means to help protect our environment.
3) Improve Your Home’s Insulation & Weatherstrip Gaps
Improving your home’s insulation and weatherstripping its gaps will be two of the most important factors for making your home more energy efficient. An adequately insulated home maintains a comfortable temperature, reduces wasted energy, and decreases heating and cooling costs.
Attic Insulation: Insulating your attic will keep warm air from escaping your home in the winter and keep hot air out of your home in the summer. As a result, you will require less heating and cooling.
Weatherstripping & Caulk: Weatherstrip and caulk the gaps and cracks around your windows, doors, and other holes and crevices to prevent cold air from entering your home and hot air from escaping.
New Windows: Upgrading to energy-efficient windows that contain multiple layers of glass will reduce heat transfer and improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Making sure that your home is properly insulated and sealed will ensure that it remains energy efficient throughout the year and that you will be able to see a reduction in your carbon footprint and energy costs.
4) Create a Sustainable Outdoor Space
In addition to making changes within your home, you can also incorporate eco-friendly changes into your landscaping. Eco-friendly landscaping choices include water-conserving plants, natural habitats for wildlife, and the use of natural materials instead of chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides.
Native Plants: Native plants are ideal for planting in your yard because they are naturally suited to your local climate. Therefore, native plants require much less watering and care than plants that are foreign to your area.
Drought Tolerant Plants: Drought resistant plants are plants that can survive with minimal watering. Therefore, incorporating drought-resistant plants into your landscaping will help to conserve water.
Rain Barrel Collection System: Installing a rain barrel collection system is another way to collect rainwater for irrigation purposes. This method of collecting rainwater for irrigation purposes eliminates the need to rely on city supplied water for irrigation.
In addition to creating a beautiful outdoor living space, using eco-friendly landscaping techniques will also aid in conserving water and providing habitat for wildlife.
Conclusion
When considering making improvements to your living space, choosing to make the improvements with “green” materials will provide a number of advantages, including; a reduced environmental impact from your home, cost savings associated with lower energy consumption, and the ability to create a more comfortable and sustainable living environment.
The improvements listed above, such as upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, using renewable energy sources, and utilizing eco-friendly landscaping, will not only improve your home, but will also aid in protecting the environment.
