There are many ways to make your home more eco-friendly. Whether you are planning a remodel or you just want to take advantage of some green strategies to make your home environmentally smart, there are a lot of options. Here are six of the top eco-friendly home renovation ideas that you can do to reduce your costs and go easier on the planet.
1. Windows That Make Cents
One of the easiest ways to reduce heating and air conditioning costs is to make improvements to your windows. A single pane window can lose ten times as much heat as an insulated wall, and replacing it with a double pane thermal window can save you about 20% on your energy costs. Triple pane windows can bring even more energy savings.
If you already have thermal pane windows, you can invest in window tinting to reduce your energy costs up to 30% more. In addition, tinted windows make a room more comfortable, and you can still enjoy the views from your windows. They also offer more privacy and prevent interior fading, protecting your belongings and furniture.
It is a good idea to get a professional for window film treatments. Professional window tinting doesn’t fade or crack and won’t peel or bubble. Residential window tinting in Charlotte, NC is done by experts with over 20 years of experience, and they can provide you with fast quotes, competitive pricing, and quick installation.
If your budget is an issue for you, consider replacing the windows on the south or west sides of your home first, and add tinting to the ones in the hottest part of the house. Then, the savings on your electric bill can help pay for your work on the rest of your windows.
2. The Most Eco-Friendly Exterior Siding
When it comes to the exterior of your home, if you are looking for the most eco-friendly exterior siding, you need to consider several factors, including production, energy savings, life span, and whether or not it suits your environment. Also, if it isn’t biodegradable, can it be recycled?
Some of the top choices are wood siding, especially cedar, and fiber cement siding, which is made from low toxicity raw materials. Metal siding is often made from recycled materials, ranking high on the eco-friendly scale. Finally, stucco is an excellent choice if you live in the south because it keeps your home cool, and it is also made with natural ingredients.
One thing is for sure energy efficient siding can help cut heating and cooling costs. Even just changing the color of your home can make it easier to keep cool, so it’s definitely worth looking into.
3. Energy Efficient Appliances
If you are looking for big energy savings, then replacing your appliances could be one of the best things to do. Make sure you are choosing the right appliances to replace, though.
The dishwasher is the number one appliance to consider replacing. Older dishwashers use a lot of water and electricity, while newer models are much more efficient. It is also an appliance that gets heavy use so that the savings will add up quickly. Upgrading your refrigerator is another good idea because it runs constantly.
As a side note, consider adding some small appliances that will reduce the amount of energy you use, too. Electric tea kettles are much more efficient than turning on a burner, for instance. And before you crank up the oven, ask yourself if you can use the air fryer instead. You will save on cooling costs in the summer this way, too.
4. The High Cost of Dripping Faucets
Many people don’t understand how much water a single dripping faucet can waste. Of course, this is a bigger issue depending on where you live, but a leaking faucet can add 10% to your monthly water bill in some areas. It is like watching your hard-earned money literally go down the drain.
If you are concerned about how much water you lose from a leaky faucet or running toilet, you can use an online drip calculator to assess the damage and see if it will pay to replace your fixtures.
Replacing your fixtures is also an opportunity to create a whole new look in your bathroom or kitchen, so if you like to decorate, this can be more fun than some other eco-friendly renovation ideas.
5. Insulating an Old Home
Adding insulation is an easy way to reap some energy savings if you live in an older home. Even if you aren’t remodeling, you can use injection foam insulation to insulate walls. The attic is another area that can benefit from additional insulation.
6. Landscaping for Climate Change
Lawns take a lot of water, cost a lot to maintain, and require the use of fertilizers and weed killers to keep them looking healthy. They are not environmentally friendly, and it’s not sustainable in the midst of current climate change issues.
Several alternatives to a large green lawn include xeriscaping using native plants, adding a sprinkler system, and planting ground covers instead of grass. Planting a tree in your yard is another eco-friendly idea. Not only will you create a home for wildlife, but you will also add shade, which is beneficial for your yard and can also keep your home cooler in the summer.
