Some of the Best Eco Renovations That Will Benefit Your Home in the Long Term
If you are like most people, your home is the most important long-term investment that you will make in your life. It is where you will spend most of your time, so why not put your own mark on it? This allows you to make it not only your own but also a real sanctuary for both your health and happiness. By doing a renovation that focuses on eco-living, you can not only positively impact your health and the environment around you but also significantly affect on household expenses. Eco renovations are a great way to save loads of money in the long run.
Yes, wisely chosen eco-friendly renovations can not only improve your quality of life and add value to your home but it will also help you reduce your ecological footprint. Additionally, energy-efficient solutions can help you save money. Now that is what I call a win-win!
Get Energy Efficient Appliances
On average appliances and lighting use roughly 16 percent of the energy in the home. For this reason, you might want to consider upgrading to high-efficiency washers, dryers and upgrading other appliances that are energy efficient -installing LED lighting is another great tip. Another great way to lower your need for artificial lighting is to paint your walls in light colors. This is because light colors reflect the natural light, therefore, making the space brighter.
Make Sure Your Home is Properly Insulated
Did you know that nearly two-thirds of the energy used in the average household goes toward heating? By making sure that your home adequately insulated with a spray foam insulation could save on energy costs in the long run. Spray foam will help keep the heat in during the cooler weather and will keep your house cool in the summer months. Thus, reducing the need for heating and air-conditioning.
Reduce Your Water Usage
In order for your home to really be eco-friendly, you need to reduce your water usage. North American’s are among the world’s largest per-capita consumers of water, and only about 5-15 percent of domestic water use is for drinking and cooking. You can reduce your water usage by installing low-flow, aerated taps and dual-flush or ultra-low-flush toilets. These can help reduce the vast amounts of water that go down the drain while fixing or replacing leaky pipes will help reduce your hydro costs.
Other Simple Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly:
-Invest in thermal or blackout curtains. Doing this will allow for you to keep your home warm during the cooler months and block the blazing sun during the sizzling California summer.
-Fill in any cracks. Take a peek around your windows and doors. Make sure that there are no cracks that could be allowing air to escape. If you find any, fill them with calcking and goodbye draft.
-Invest in energy efficient windows and doors. If you notice that your windows or doors are older and do not seem to be keeping the warm air out and cool air in, take a peek at their age and find out if they are energy efficient. If not, consider swapping them out for more modern versions.