Every year new energy efficient home appliances are being launched into the global market. Manufacturers are vying to grab the attention of homeowners with their latest products. With so many green home products, it is difficult to determine which ones are beneficial for your home and living spaces.
If you want to give a green update to your home then you must use some of the green home trends which are popular this year. Instead of spending huge sums of money on quirky gadgets, invest on simple eco-friendly changes that will increase the value of your home.
Buy only energy star appliances
In case you are planning to buy new home appliances this year, choose those with Energy Star rating. Government only offers Energy Star rating to appliances that are environment friendly. These appliances emit less or no Green House gases and use less energy. As wastage of energy is reduced you get to save money on electricity bills. In the long run, Energy Star appliances will not only help you in saving money but also make your home greener.
Change the bulbs
The next festive season undertake the venture of changing your household light bulbs. According to the US Department of Labor, if homeowners use LED light bulbs instead of incandescent ones then they can save energy up to 75%. As a result, the LED bulbs will last you longer. Good quality LED bulbs will last 35% to 50% longer than the incandescent bulbs. You may also choose Compact Fluorescent Lights.
Install Solar Panels
This is the right year for getting solar energy on board. Electricity has become costlier and the only sustainable way of reducing energy bills is using solar panels for powering your home. Modern solar panels are not cheap but you can benefit from its use. If you can produce more than sufficient solar energy, you can sell it to others who are looking for eco-friendly energy solutions. Previously solar energy was believed to be expensive and hard to use. The advancement of technology has made it possible for homeowners to install solar panels on rooftops that are cost effective.
Reusing rainwater
Water bills are rising along with electricity bills. Reusing rainwater is not just an eco-friendly trend but it can also help in reducing water bills. If you reside in a part of the world where it rains hard during the monsoon and even in off seasons then get rain barrels for your gardens. Rainwater will be collected inside the barrels which can be used to water the plants.
Tight construction
If you are constructing your home then discuss tight construction options with your builders. Tight construction means sealing all the holes, ducts and seams of your house. It also includes insulating the windows. Modern homeowners are also keen on insulating the walls, roof and flooring. This way your entire house will become energy efficient and less energy will get wasted.
You can also install low flow technology in your home to reduce the flow of the water to showers, sinks, toilets and bathtubs. It will help in reducing water bills along with energy bills and make your home more eco-friendly. Another trend in home construction is Net Zero Energy, which means that the amount of energy that your home produces is consumed by its residents.
From the beginning of the construction of your house, efforts have to be made for making it more energy efficient. Use energy efficient appliances and insulate your home for making it greener.
