How to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

Having a home is an exciting experience. You have a place that is all yours, to do with whatever you choose.

There are many options when it comes to choosing the right home for you. Aside from aesthetic options such as layout, size, and location, there is also the choice between an already built home or a new build.

And while there are differences between some aspects such as needing new build home insurance if you decide to start from scratch, there is something you can choose to do to your home whether you are building yourself or buying previously built: going green in your home.

The choice to make a home more eco-friendly is beneficial in many ways, and there are a multitude of options when deciding how to do so. The design choices to a new home or the upgrades to an older home can have a great impact on not only the environment but your wallet as well.

Why go eco-friendly?

Choosing a greener home has great benefits such as:

• Reduced energy bills – Choosing eco-friendly home upgrades can save you big money in the long run when it comes to your utility costs. Because eco-friendly products are more efficient, you will ultimately save money on your energy bills.
• Positive environmental impact – An eco-friendly home will use more sustainable energy or materials, therefore making it much better for the environment than a traditional home.
• Increased property value – Environmentally friendly properties tend to have a higher property value because buyers know they will be saving money based on the materials and appliances in the home. This can help sellers make more money on their eco-friendly home if they choose to sell.
• Lower insurance rates – Many insurance companies will offer a discount on your insurance rates if you meet certain environmental standards. This can save you a lot of money throughout the lifetime of your home.

Eco-Friendly Improvements

You may be wondering where to start when making your home more environmentally friendly. There are plenty of options, whether you have a new build or an old build.

1. Replace Your Old Thermostats

A relatively easy way to get a jump on your eco-friendly home is to install smart thermostats.

These thermostats will allow you to have much more control over the heat and air in your home. There are options such as the ability to shut your heater off while you aren’t home, which will not only save the environment but lower your energy bill as well, since you will be greatly reducing your heat usage.

These are great additions to an older build, or even a wise choice to add as you are constructing your new home.

2. Use Energy-Saving Light Bulbs

Another simple option that can have a great impact is a simple switch of lights. Older light bulbs tend to use much more energy than newer, eco-friendly options.

Though these bulbs may seem to have a higher price tag when you first purchase them, over time they will save you plenty of money on your energy bills due to their reduced energy use. Not only can energy-efficient bulbs do that, but they are also able to help the environment at the same time.

3. Save Water with Low-Flow Showers

Choosing a low-flow showerhead can greatly reduce your water consumption. These options typically use only two gallons of water per minute, which allows you to save plenty of water in comparison to normal showerheads.

Not only will your energy bills be reduced, but you will also be saving water, which has a huge positive impact on the environment.

4. Upgrade Your Kitchen with Energy-Efficient Appliances

Whether you are designing a kitchen in your new build or upgrading one in your previously built home, energy-saving appliances are an extremely smart choice to make.

The benefits of choosing more eco-friendly appliance options are:

• Less water usage
• Lower energy bills
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Increased resale value

Energy-saving appliances are worth the investment, not only for their savings in the long run but also for their reduced environmental impact.

5. Add Solar Panels for Naturally Powered Energy

Though this can be a pricey option upfront, be it a new build or previously built home, solar panels are a huge way to reduce your impact on the environment.

By adding solar panels to your home, you are powering it through completely clean and natural energy.

Adding solar panels also gives you more freedom over your electricity. Since you are essentially creating your own energy, you are able to avoid things such as local power outages. This can be a huge relief if you live somewhere that is frequented by these occurrences.

The price of solar panels may be concerning at first, but their benefits to the environment, as well as their savings on utilities, can greatly outweigh the upfront costs.

6. Upgrade Old Windows

New windows can come with a hefty price tag — there’s no denying that. But if you are building your home, long overdue for new windows, or are just very serious about reducing your environmental impact, energy-efficient windows are a great choice.

Coating on the glass of newer windows, along with better insulation, allows for your heat and air to stay inside your home, rather than escaping. Reducing your heat and air-conditioning usage can not only save you money on utilities but also help the environment in the process.

7. Choose Reclaimed Materials

Whether you are building your dream home from the ground up or are simply looking to do some remodeling in your current home, choosing materials that are reclaimed can have a large positive impact on the environment.

Forest removal is an ongoing problem for our environment. Many people overlook the option of using reclaimed wood rather than freshly cut wood. There is plenty of wood readily available that can be repurposed.

Options such as hardwood flooring using reclaimed wood can be a good money-saving choice, as well as a positive choice for the environment.

Eco-Friendly Homes are Worth the Investment

There may be fears about making eco-friendly choices during a new build or home upgrade. The upfront cost can leave people a little worried. However, the long-term savings and benefits of environmentally friendly options can far outweigh the initial costs.

Not only can you greatly reduce your utility bills, but you can also help save our planet, all while enjoying your beautiful home.

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