Climate change is happening, and if you’re feeling passionate about doing your part to solve the issue, there are plenty of ways you can help. If you’re a homeowner, for example, there are great upgrades you can make to your home to promote a greener lifestyle. Keep reading for our tips below.
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1. Switch out your incandescent bulbs for LEDs
This is one of the easiest substitutions you can make as a homeowner. You should always choose LED lighting for energy efficiency, plus they’ll likely save you money. Residential LEDs use at least 75% less energy than traditional bulbs but also last 25 times longer than traditional bulbs, meaning you’ll have to replace them less often.
2. Get energy-efficient doors and windows
Two of the biggest areas where you can save a ton of money are your doors and windows. That’s because old windows and doors tend to lose energy through air leaks. If your current door is worn or cracked, it’s a smart idea to replace it with an ENERGY STAR model.
3. Install new carpet
One way to better insulate your home is installing an eco-friendly carpet. Remember that not all carpets are created the same. For example, avoid toxic carpets and look for low VOC carpets. VOC is short for volatile organic compounds and some regular commercial carpets are full of these toxic chemicals. These chemicals aren’t healthy and can be bad for the environment.
When shopping for a new carpet material, consider choosing natural fibers like seagrass, jute, or wool.
4. Install ceiling fans
Ceiling fans are a great way to reduce the energy needs of your home. In the summer, you can set your fan to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to pull hot air up and away from the main living spaces. Then, in winter, your fan blades should spin in a clockwise direction to keep cool air down in the living spaces.
5. Move to a tankless water heater system
Tankless water systems tend to be more energy efficient than regular water heaters. A tankless water heater can save you 20% in your energy bills. And for some homeowners, you can save up to 50% on your energy bills.
6. Consider green landscaping
A very inexpensive upgrade to your home is adding some actual green to your home in the form of landscaping. You should consider adding native plants which typically require less water since they’re used to the local climate and boast a natural pest resistance as well. If you’re not sure where to start, you can go to a local nursery and ask what native plant varieties you can plant.
7. Install solar power panels
Although solar panels are a pretty serious investment, they can provide some equally serious green savings for many homeowners. Plus, in many states and cities, there are tax incentives to take advantage of which helps takes the sting out of the sticker shock.
8. Choose natural wallpaper
Regular wallpaper is often full of toxic chemicals, so it might be worthwhile to explore options that are made from natural materials. Wallpaper made of seagrass, for example, is much more sustainable and delivers a textured look that is much more interesting than flat, traditional wallpapers.
9. Invest in a new roof
Your roof can make a huge difference in the internal comfort of your home. You may want to consider adding some cool roofing technology with a base made from reflective materials. Typically, cool roofing is characterized by UV-blocking pigments which acts as a kind of “roof sunscreen”.
Takeaways
When you’re deciding on renovation projects to make your home a little greener, it can be overwhelming figuring out where to start. You should begin with small changes such as changing out your incandescent bulbs for LEDs and installing ceiling fans. Once you have those smaller projects completed, you can look into bigger upgrades like adding more sustainable landscaping and moving to solar power.
With this article in hand, you can make your home greener, more energy-efficient and cozier. Plus, you can see some big changes on your energy bill! Together, we can help reduce the impact of climate change and work until we see a cleaner, healthier planet!
About Carson Derrow
