They say that whenever we try to save the environment, we also make an effort to save the life and the future. If you like the sound of that, you can make a change starting from your home. Do that and you will also enjoy a long list of amazing benefits such as:
- Lower electricity bills;
- Warmer winters;
- Cheaper home improvement projects;
- A house that is easy to maintain;
And if all of that was not enough, doing this will let you set a good example to your kids. All you need to is to make a few eco-friendly home improvements and to make them in an eco-friendly way.
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Reduce your electricity bills
A good place to start if you want to make your house greener is by improving its energy costs. As you probably know, the more electricity we use, the more polluted our planet gets. The power that we consume on daily basis releases various greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. Also, it can increase the chance for acid rainfalls. Here are a few improvements which you can make to your house to reduce the electricity that you use (and your monthly electricity bill).
Insulations
Keep the cold weather away and you will be able to set your heater or air-conditioning at a lower temperature. One excellent way in which you can achieve that is by insulating your home. In the winter, more than half of the monthly expenses of a household go for electricity. But by installing insulation in your house, you will be able to quickly heat it up. What is more, the temperature fluctuations will also become more limited.
New windows
If the windows of your home are not double-glazing, it is high time for you to replace them. That will provide your house with a better protection against the natural elements. Even if you are living in a place with a mild climate, having new windows will draught-proof your home and it will reduce the risk of pricey leaks. Plus, they will limit outside noises.
New appliances
New electricity appliances are more eco-friendly because they consume less energy. That automatically means that they also produce less carbon dioxide. So, if you are planning to move into a new home, consider leaving behind all or at least most of your appliances. That, together with using affordable man and van services, cannot only save you money when relocating but it will also enable you to lead a much greener lifestyle in your new house. Speaking of professional moving van services – if you are indeed prepping to move, make sure you rely on an eco-friendly man with a van. Some moving companies use fuel-efficient transit vans which makes them very eco-friendly.
The effect of replacing a decade-old washing machine with a new one:
- Annual water consumption can drop by 3,000 litres;
- Annual electricity consumption will decrease by 44 kWh;
- Amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) produce by your household will fall by 23 kg per year;
Think green when you are making improvements
You may not realise that but some home improvement and renovation projects can be extremely wasteful. As a result, in an effort to live green, you may end up polluting the environment. To avoid that, you need to work in a more efficient and environmentally conscious way.
Reuse
Let’s say that you have decided to replace your hardwood floor with a new one. Do not throw away the wood floor planks if they are in a good condition. You can use them to make a chair mat, a garden bench, a tray and many other things out of it. And if you know someone who is currently making some cosmetic changes in their home, you can even try selling your old materials.
Use recycled or reclaimed building materials
If you don’t have any old materials which you can reuse, you can simply buy pre-owned ones. There are more and more companies that offer them these days and they are available at a very acceptable price. Those who are looking to buy a table or dining chairs can buy reclaimed wood furniture. Once again, this won’t cost you a lot of money and it will not have a negative effect on the environment.
Go solar
Feeling like diving into the deep end? Well then, you can try using solar energy. Solar panels will provide you with one of the greenest ways to produce energy for your home. However, there is a reason why we are referring to solar energy as “the deep end.” It is simply not for everyone as it comes with huge installation costs. Also, if you are living in an apartment you won’t have the necessary space to put all the equipment. Therefore, this is a home improvement idea that will be worth your while only if you are living in a large house and if you can afford it, of course.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Reduces electricity bill. | Costs a lot of money to install. |
| Very easy to install and to maintain. | Not very reliable during cloudy and gloomy days. |
| It is very eco-friendly. | Solar panels take up a lot of space. |
| Adds more value to your property. | The production of some of the materials of solar panels is not n very eco-friendly process. |
| It is much safer. | Can spoil the appearance of your home. |
| Available even in rural areas which are not connected to the main grid. | The production level of solar energy during the night drops to zero. |
| It is renewable which will make you less dependent on electricity providers. | The return on investment is slow. |
Pictured: A house with solar panels
Little changes such as using LED light bulbs, ceiling fans, dimmers switches and other such changes and tweaks can also put you ahead in the eco-friendly game. This is the best thing about living green, even small steps count. So, do not underestimate the positive effect that a tiny teeny home improvement can have on the environment (and on your electricity bill).
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