Want to go Green? Here are 5 Eco-friendly Home Updates

Saturday, July 24, 2021

 

Homes account for the most significant percentage of greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. If you've lived in your home for long or just moved in and you want to make a few updates, consider going green. Making eco-friendly home updates have many benefits, including tax incentives, lower energy bills, and reducing your carbon footprint. Additionally, green is the new norm, so if you're ever thinking about selling your home, being eco-friendly increases its value to potential buyers. Here are some eco-friendly home updates to consider.

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Install solar panels

Solar panels are expensive to install, but that's all the investment you need to save yourself from high energy bills. The sun can power solar panels today and have almost 20% of it converted into electricity for your use. Solar panels also increase your home's value by 4.1% if you ever want to sell.
 
Any solution such as this which makes good use of electricity is going to be worth doing. If nothing else, it will mean that you can save a lot of money while also being able to expect a truly eco-friendly home. It is therefore absolutely worthwhile, and something that you should be able to think about if you are keen to make these kinds of changes.
 
Make bathroom upgrades

There are more straightforward ways to create an eco-friendly home other than having a complete bathroom renovation. In the bathroom, water usage and wastage accounts for the most considerable portion of your water bill, which leaves a dent in not only your wallet but also the environment. Consider replacing your shower head and toilet by going for the touchless bathroom fixtures. Upgrade your toilet to a low-flow one that is WaterSense-rated. This way, you can reduce your water consumption by sixty percent. Similarly, low-flow showerheads cut down wastage even more.
 
Insulate your home

If your home has crevices and cracks, it lacks proper insulation. Heat escapes fast, causing an uneven temperature in your home. Lack of adequate insulation is prevalent with older homes built before the 1990s. Areas such as the attic and basement that face the most neglect are responsible for much of the heat loss and air entry. Fill these cavities with insulation material, such as rubber strips or caulking to retain indoor temperatures and keep HVAC system air clean.
 
Replace your windows with energy-efficient ones

If you want to save some pennies from your utility bills and go green, replacing your current windows with energy-efficient ones can do the trick. A lot of heat escapes through your windows, causing significant losses. Consider making replacements with recyclable steel or uPVC windows, and if your home is rustic or historical, use sustainably sourced wood. Also, consider coating your windows with insulated cellular colors to reduce energy costs by up to 20%.
 
Use products or appliances with an Energy Star rating

Your home appliances, especially those in the kitchen like your refrigerator, account for the highest percentage of your energy use. Fortunately, over seventy percent of your home products and appliances are energy-efficient and eco-friendly versions; consider upgrading them. If they aren't, swap them with eco-friendly Energy Star-rated appliances. Also, switch your bulbs to LED or CFL, and upgrade to energy-efficient ceiling fans.

Live an eco-friendly lifestyle by making simple upgrades to your home fixtures, like windows and bathroom utilities, and replacing your appliances with Energy Star-rated ones. Although the initial investment may be high, especially for things like solar panel installations, it can save you many costs in the long run and increase your home's value.


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