It seems like more and more homeowners are now trying to reduce their carbon footprint. This really is a good thing to do, not only because it helps preserve the planet but also because it helps them save money. So, if you’ve been thinking about starting a home renovation project, this might just be the perfect time to make your home eco-friendly. But how do you do that? Here are seven tips that are guaranteed to help.
Improve attic insulation
When there’s insufficient attic insulation, warm air can easily escape your home during winter. This means you need to use more energy to keep yourself and your family warm. Therefore, if you want to reduce your energy consumption, improving your attic insulation is a good idea. The best thing about it is that you don’t need to pay professionals as you can do all the work yourself. If you decide to do this, make sure you follow precautions such as wearing a dust mask and eye protection. When it comes to choosing the material for your attic insulation, cork and cotton are something you can never go wrong with.
Save water
Any changes you make to your water system can have a huge impact on the environment. What you can do with your system depends a lot on how much rainfall you get every year. If you live in an area with a lot of rain, you can invest in a rainwater tank. This thing can help you harvest 80% of the rainfall that falls on your roof and use it for watering your garden and flushing toilets. According to some reports, this can reduce your water consumption by 30%. Another thing you can do is install a greywater system.
Choose eco-friendly siding
Not every siding material is eco-friendly. So, if you plan to pick new siding for the exterior of your home, you might want to opt for something like eco-friendly stucco or stone. In case there’s a company offering locally-sourced siding materials, turning to them is a good idea. In order to save money, you can install siding yourself. This will also reduce the amount of fuel used for your project as you won’t have experts coming over. Just bear in mind that you should turn to a company that offers scaffolding services as you’ll need these when installing siding.
Opt for sustainable materials
If you plan to start a major home renovation project, it’s a great idea to use sustainable materials. That way, you reduce the impact the project has on the planet and you save money. For instance, what you can do is reuse existing building materials for your project. And in case you don’t have enough, there are places that sell reclaimed materials. When buying new materials, it’s recommended that you opt for those that are renewable. Instead of using regular wood, you can opt for wood that has been harvested sustainably in order not to contribute to deforestation.
Get more natural light
The amount of natural light in your home doesn’t only affect your mood but it also reduces your impact on the environment. With more natural light in your home, you rely less on artificial lighting and reduce your energy consumption. That being said, you can consider adding more windows when renovating your home. Installing a window isn’t tough and if you know your way around tools, you should be able to do it. By opting for double glazed windows, you can also have a better temperature control inside of your home. This type of window can also help fight noise pollution.
Install solar panels
One of the best ways to reduce your energy consumption is to install solar panels on your roof. Combine these with a solar battery that stores energy your panels collect and you can even reduce your energy bill to $0. There are experts who specialize in solar panel installation and they should be able to get the job done in no time. We should also note that once panels are installed, they require no maintenance. The only thing you need to do is ensure they’re clean and not shaded by a tree or another building.
Support local
There’s no doubt your renovation project requires you to buy a lot of equipment and materials. When doing so, you can stick to products made by local companies and you’ll be reducing your impact on the planet. Just make sure that before you buy anything, you check the distance that item traveled to get to you. Think about the fuel consumed during that process and make your purchase based on that. Pollution caused by fossil fuels is one of the biggest problems the world is facing and contributing as much as you can is always a good idea.
It’s good news that so many people are becoming environmentally conscious. Use your renovation project to contribute as much as you can and you’ll also be saving money along the way.
