Insulation example
Renovating your home to be more eco-friendly and energy-efficient can not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also increase your home’s value to some extent, especially if you plan to sell your house in the near future.
Below are 4 feasible green renovation ideas you can put into practice during your next remodel, and I bet they’ll prove to be your worthy investments in the long run.
1. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Building an eco-friendly home doesn’t have to cost you a lot. An easy and simple way for you to go green in your home is to replace your old and out-dated appliances with energy efficient ones.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, home appliances account for an estimated 15 percent of your energy usage. For example, you may start with the home lighting to go for the LED light bulbs that last longer and consume less energy than incandescent bulbs.
And a good news for you is that, some utility firms also provide discounts when you employ energy-efficient products, so don’t forget to consult them if you’re eligible.
2. Improve Basic House Insulation
If your house has poor insulation and the air leaks through the windows or doors, that could be one of the main reasons responsible for your high energy bills.
And in case you’re intending to sell your house in the future, potential buyers will take the insulation into their top consideration as well.
By making some small changes to your house insulation, like adding extra insulation to your attic or sealing cracks around the house, you can save hundreds of dollars each year on the energy costs, help maintain cozy indoor temperatures and also make your house appealing to future buyers.
3. Adopt Solar Technology in Your Home
Another popular and affordable green renovation idea is to invest in solar energy for your home. In virtue of the solar panels on your house roof, you can take full advantage of the natural sunlight to power your home and thus, reduce your reliance on the electricity.
On top of that, it is also a great idea to directly buy solar powered products in your home, such as the solar shades or solar cameras, to reduce your carbon emission and utility bills as well.
Some of you might concern that the cost to go solar can be a bit expensive, mind that in order to encourage the adoption of solar technology, many countries including US, UK and Canada are offering incentives like tax credits, rebates, etc. for installed solar products at home.
Potential buyers, in fact, often look for ways to save money when shopping for a new home and the solar technology can definitely boost your house value in terms of reducing energy expenses.
4. Don’t Forget Your Front Door
More often than not, the role of a front door is neglected by homeowners when they think about sustainable renovation ideas. And that’s one of the biggest home improvement mistakes you should avoid making.
Compared with wood doors, steel doors prove to offer better insulation and be more energy efficient — replacing your wood front door with a new steel one can expect to recoup 74.9% of your costs.
And as mentioned above, upgrading the old patio doors to thicker and better insulated models can also go a long way in regulating the temperature in your home and reducing the energy bills.
A green and energy-efficient home is beneficial for the earth and your energy reduction as well as the house resale value. If you’re planning to renovate your home very soon, embrace the above green home remodeling ideas and they’ll definitely pay off in the end.
Elena Smith is a gardener, blogger, designer and DIY enthusiast in New Mexico who channels a love of simple and green living into her work. When she is not blogging, you can find her attending to the flowers and plants in the garden. Connect with Elena at ElenaSmith.net and on Twitter, and read all of her MOTHER EARTH NEWS posts here.
All MOTHER EARTH NEWS community bloggers have agreed to follow our Blogging Guidelines, and they are responsible for the accuracy of their posts. To learn more about the author of this post, click on their byline link at the top of the page.
