homes-going-green

8 Attainable Ways To Green Your Home

Photo by FilterGrade on Unsplash

Taking strides to live a greener life is so important for the earth nowadays. Whether you’re looking for simple things to try now or you’re ready to take on a big remodel to add value to your home for years to come, we are going to lay out ways you can update your home and turn your family into green-living experts. 

Green Living Tips

If you’re looking to make upgrades to your home on your next day off, we have a few simple and affordable actions you can take right now that will make your home and lifestyle more green.

  1. Wash on cold. Begin to wash your clothes on a cold cycle to help reduce your energy output. The cold cycle is more gentle and can help textiles last longer too, which helps to avoid replacing those items sooner. 
  2. DIY a low-flow toilet. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a new, energy-efficient toilet to save money and use less water. If you’re ready to take on a project yourself, then DIY a low-flow toilet to feel a bit better about the planet every time your family flushes.
  3. Be aware of drafts. If you have old windows and doors, you may need to take extra precaution when it comes to preparing your home for the winter or summer. You can buy draft stoppers for doors and even shrink wrap your windows to save on heat and AC usage.
  4. Get a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats have become very common and affordable. It’s easy to buy, install, and program a thermostat yourself. This will allow you to control the heat in your house without a second thought; if you want it lower when you’re at work or sleeping, program it once then forget it!

Green Remodeling Upgrades

When you’re ready to undertake an eco-friendly home improvement project, budget should be the first thing you consider. It’s possible you have the cash on hand, but you may have to borrow from family, open a new line of credit, or look into a home equity loan. No matter how you choose to do it, know that making your home green will both add to its value and reduce your carbon footprint!

  1. Update your appliances. These days, you can easily find ENERGY STAR appliances like dishwashers, washer/dryer units, and refrigerators made with the planet in mind. They use less water and less energy, reducing the carbon footprint your whole family makes.
  2. Switch to solar power. Adding solar panels to your roof forces your home to run completely on clean energy. Not only can this attract conscious buyers to your home, if you ever want to sell, but you may also qualify for a tax credit by making this eco-friendly switch!
  3. Get a new water heater. Tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient because instead of storing hot water for when you want it, this device immediately heats and cools water on command. The initial price can be steep, but it’s well worth the investment when it comes to bettering the planet.
  4. Try floor heating. Radiant floor heating is a great option to incorporate if you think you’ll sell your house one day, because it offers the feeling of luxury to a potential buyer. Of course, you can just go for it if you want to treat yourself, too! Radiant heat cuts energy costs due to the heat rising from the floor and warming the rest of the room.

No matter if you’re ready to make an eco-friendly lifestyle change or you’re preparing to sell your home and want to appeal to a future home buyer, these updates are about more than just yourself! Transforming your home into a green haven will help the planet for years to come and reduce the energy you and your family use.

Post a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *