ustainable home building, which seeks to minimize waste during homebuilding and make homes more energy-efficient while friendlier to the environment, is growing in popularity. Construction and Demolition debris (C&D debris) currently makes up 25-30% of all solid waste produced in the United States. This considerable material flows slowly through buildings via renovation and demolition. Depending on the building's materials, condition, and age, you can see how much of the remaining material you can reuse.
Across the country, homeowners and remodelers are learning about new building techniques and investing in sustainable materials for their new homes or remodels. The goal is to create modern environments that are cost-effective and maximize living space and reduce negative impacts on the environment.
Let's take a look at these six green remodeling ideas and how they can help you create a more eco-friendly home.
1. A Shift to Energy-Efficient HVACS
A shift to an energy-efficient HVAC system is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money. Innovative energy-efficient systems lower your energy bill by at least 20%. Ordinary HVAC systems can't even compare.
Smart systems cut your energy bill; they also cool and heat your home more effectively than ordinary HVAC systems. Relaxing in a house that isn't scorching hot or cold, no matter what time of year it is outside. Switching to smart systems will help you save money and feel comfortable in your own home, but it'll also help reduce your carbon footprint.
2. Buying Local—How It Benefits The Environment
You can be prudent by buying locally made products. Locally made products are less susceptible to damage from weather and climate changes, which last longer. The longer your product stays, the less likely you will have issues with mold or mildew growth in your home. Also, buying local reduces your carbon footprint. It means there’s no need for long transportation of the materials during production, which ultimately reduces the burning and use of fossil fuels (gas, electricity, etc.) that contribute to climate change.
3.Choose Eco-friendly Materials
Eco-friendly materials are recyclable materials or renewable resources such as wood and bamboo. These materials aren't only good for our planet; they're good for your wallet. For example, bamboo flooring costs less than $1 per square foot and is incredibly durable. Bamboo grows quickly and abundantly, making it a renewable resource.
Also, if you're building something new in your home or starting an additional project on an existing structure, using locally made green building materials can help ensure positive impacts on our environment.
4. Transition to Solar Power
As solar power becomes increasingly popular and the technology improves, more and more options are available, making it easier to go green. Solar panels can provide anywhere from 30-50% of your monthly energy use (depending on where you live), converting into hundreds of savings annually. A savings you could be investing in other parts of your home. The initial installation might be a bit costly, but it will pay off in the long run with lower monthly bills.
Solar panels are also low-maintenance. In most cases, all they need is an occasional hose-down to keep them running smoothly. There are plenty of rebates available for installing solar panels, so check with your local government before taking advantage of as many incentives as possible. In addition to saving money, solar power contributes to a cleaner environment by producing zero emissions. This means that it does not have hazardous waste products or release any pollution into the atmosphere.
5. Update the Outdated Appliances
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A great way to transform your home is to go green with updated appliances, save money, and create a modern kitchen. When you update your appliances, you can choose the newest energy-efficient models: designed to use less water and less electricity. Indeed it is already making a difference by cutting down your monthly bills. The more you're able to reduce your usage of utilities, the more you'll be able to help the planet.
Green remodeling aims to make buildings more energy-efficient and resource-conserving, improve occupant health, and reduce the costs of creating, operating and maintaining buildings. Residential and Home buildings consume 40% of the world's energy and materials, making green remodeling decisions important considerations for the environment. Upgrading appliances, cabinets, and toilets can reduce pollution caused by fossil fuels, lower resource depletion rates, and improve occupant health.
💡 Tip: When you're shopping for new appliances, look for a few different features:
➤ Energy Star certification
➤ Low water consumption
➤ LED lighting
➤ Recyclable packaging and components
Widen the scope of finding the right appliances and make sure you choose that have eco-friendly features. And when it comes to kitchen remodeling, there's no better way to go green than updating your appliances.
6. Use your Windows for Natural Light and Airiness
Adding some natural light to your home can help you save without spending too much money on electricity bills. Consider purchasing double-glazed windows to create a buffer of air between the two sheets of glass, allowing a natural thermos effect that reduces changes in temperature. Properly insulated windows also reduce the risk of condensation forming on the inside surfaces and help keep a house comfortable during cold winter days.
Eco Windows is best in making windows look great while helping reduce your home's energy costs. Moreover, it's also great for keeping out external noise. It helps keep out noises during the night that might be distracting, but they'll also help hold onto the sounds of music or laughter coming from within your home.
How can we help our Planet Earth?
According to RMI, the combustion of fossil fuels, mainly natural gas, accounts for one-tenth of total U.S. carbon emissions. Although the average American probably isn't aware of this fact, it is a threat to climate action and public health. The more knowledge people have of the environmental damages caused by fossil fuels, the more it should be disused. Scientists are now protesting against the expansion of fossil fuels on earth day, arguing that we should shift to alternative energy sources, hence a greener alternative. It is always hard to take the first step, but we're here to help with a guide for environmental stewardship!
Remember the 4 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover.
➤ Reducing means consuming less in general—this could mean not buying things you don't need or using less of a product once you have it. You can reduce by using energy-efficient lightbulbs, taking shorter showers, and turning off lights when they aren't needed.
➤ Reusing means using something multiple times before throwing it away—this could be reusing plastic containers instead of throwing them out after one use. You can reuse by buying secondhand products and furniture or repairing something that breaks instead of buying a new one.
➤ Recycling means turning something used into something new—this could be turning old paper into new notebooks. You can recycle by putting your waste into different bins or donating old clothes and books instead of throwing them out.
➤ Recovering means getting back the energy used in making a product—this could mean capturing CO2 from factories to prevent it from being released into the air. If you're thinking about recovering, think about your waste at home. Salvaged wood products are made from reclaimed lumber, reducing the demand for new wood. For example, recovering reclaimed materials prolongs the life of your product and keeps it out of landfills. Salvaged wood may bear a stamp of origin and type, and grade.
Green remodeling is not a fad; it's a movement. In the past, going green with your home could have felt overwhelming, but today it's as easy as rebuying your soap and paper towels. And it doesn't end there—there are so many ways to make your home eco-friendly that you can tailor them to your lifestyle. And to protect nature, we need to make the most sustainable choices possible. If you're planning to go green remodeling, find a remodeling contractor that cares not only for the aesthetics but also gives importance to the air quality of your home.
