Here are some tips on how to remodel your home in an environmentally friendly way.
Think about Your Materials
If you want to remodel your home to be more sustainable, it begins with the types of materials that you are using for your remodel.
Consider using recycled or repurposed materials. If working with flooring, going with sustainable material like bamboo or cork are increasingly popular materials.
Bamboo is a fast growing material which is carbon neutral, and cork can be harvested without killing the tree.
Another option is to use reclaimed lumber, which not only helps with waste reduction, but it also gives your house a luxurious, vintage look.
If you need to buy brand new materials, aim to use materials that are locally sourced. This will not only cut down on transportation costs, but will match your home’s surroundings better.
Take Look at Your Roof
Did you know that your roof only lasts for 20-25 years? If you are considering remodelling your home, it might be worth it to take a look at your roof.
According to Ygrene, a well designed energy efficient roofing can not only increase your home’s value, but it will make it more resistant to storms and damage, and will save you large amounts of money off of your utility bills.
You may also want to invest in some solar panels as well. They are heavily subsidized, so you can often buy them for cost, and the energy they create can offset your electricity bill. You may even become a net positive and help provide green energy for others!
Invest in High-Efficiency Appliances
It’s always a good idea to upgrade your appliances in a remodel effort. Replacing old appliances with Energy Star compliant ones can reduce the electricity and water usage in your household by 20-60%. With enough time, they can even pay for themselves with the amount they save in utility costs.
water leak detectorsolar landscape lights
some YYY ideas to consider
If you want to further reduce your energy consumption you might also want to consider upgrading your water heater into a tankless model.
A tankless water heater can save as much as 50 percent of fuel costs over traditional models which waste about 40-50 percent of the gas they burn. Because there is no tank that will fail, they are significantly less likely to leak. They also last 2-3 times as long as a tank-type water heater.
You may also consider replacing your thermostat with a smart version, which can do a better job of thermo-regulating your house and cut down energy consumption while adding conveniences like wifi capability and remote access.
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Invest in Green Space
By investing in your garden or yard you can help give back to the environment while helping yourself as well. That might mean replacing your yard (which is a massive waste of water) with turf, drought resistant plants, or a rock feature.
You will also want to plant trees and bushes near your house, which will increase shade, decreasing cooling costs in the summer. You might want to think about planting plants native to the area to help local insect populations.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
While in the process of remodeling keep this mantra of sustainability in mind. Be aware about how you can reduce, reuse and recycle. Perhaps the things you are throwing out could be donated to someone else?
Or maybe instead of buying all new furniture, you could buy second hand? Instead of replacing your cabinets, repaint or refinish them. You could use your old stone countertops as a pathway in your yard. These are just a couple of ideas on how to not waste materials. If you can’t find a way to reuse something, make sure that you recycle what you can.
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Hopefully you can take these tips into account and they inspire you to make your house more eco-friendly when you remodel. Even the smallest bit of change helps the environment.
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Image credit: green remodeling tips by envato.com
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