If your energy bills are soaring and stressing you out You’ve probably thought about making your home efficient in energy use. The home improvement market has been booming with green products and practices over the past 10 years; products which promise to save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs, items that are made of recyclable or sustainably-sourced materials and items that are designed to last longer than their previous counterparts. With so many options to choose from, it’s difficult for homeowners to choose what they’d like to do with their green dollars when they are looking to go green.
The best way to go? Get your home working! Stay clear of the hype and pick items that will work for you even after the contractor has been completed with the payment. Here are four methods to turn your home eco-friendly – the smart choice!
Assess Insulation and Siding
One of the most important aspects of going green is to reduce the carbon footprint of your home by making use of less energy for various aspects of your home. One of the most efficient ways to decrease energy consumption is to make sure your house is properly insulated. You can go one step further and use environmentally friendly insulation made from fabrics like wool, cotton recycled fabrics, such as denim, and even soybeans. While you’re looking at the walls, take a look at your exterior siding. If the home you live in is old and needs an update, think about eco-friendly options like fiber cement siding or insulation vinyl siding. Both can last for many years, and will require minimal maintenance.
Update Dates for Appliances
This is the one area that you need to stay clear of the excitement. A luxury kitchen that has high-end stainless steel appliances is beautiful, however practicality and function is more important in this case. Kitchen appliances – specifically the stove, refrigerator and dishwasher use significant amount of energy. Replace your older appliances first then switch them to modern, Energy Star rated products. Select the type of appliance that best suits your home’s design and budget as well as the style of comparable homes in your area. Like any other remodeling project, it’s essential not to go overboard and make yourself a target for the community.
Window or Door Replacement
Doors and windows that are new for your entire home can be a costly project. However, if you live in an older house with drafty doors and windows, and you’re experiencing an increase in your energy bills the door or window replacement will definitely be worth it in the long-term. If you’re looking to buy new windows, it’s the best time to consider springtime for premium products such as Energy Star rated windows that utilize sustainable woods, recycled composites, and triple-paned windows to keep your home warm all year round.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
This might sound odd it may sound, but those living in homes that are eco-friendly that have higher air quality in the indoors are happier, healthier and, in some cases, suggest that they are smarter. There are a few ways to make a difference here is to:
Make sure to use the low- or zero VOC (volatile organic compound) paint. They are easily available at hardware stores for home improvement and at a price comparable to conventional paints.
Be aware of your flooring. In addition to the obvious “icky” aspects when you consider all dust mites, allergens as well as pet dander that get trapped in carpet fibers conventional carpet backing is filled with these VOCs and could take years – yes years – for them to go away following installation. You can choose a carpet made of eco-friendly materials that is free of VOCs and ensure your vacuum comes with an HEPA filter. You can also go for hardwood floors made of eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, cork or even hardwood cultivated within FSC certified forest (FSC refers to one of the organizations that is the Forest Stewardship Council).
When you’re considering green remodeling it’s crucial to remember that you don’t need to be green or move home. Even minor changes can have huge changes. Make your home more efficient with smart green techniques that can help you save money while making your home a more pleasant and healthier home.