Things to Consider When Renovating a Home to Make It Eco-friendly

Home improvement projects surged in the middle of the pandemic after people had to stay home after the authorities gave the shelter-in-place orders. Many homeowners improved their homes to allow them to have the simple pleasures they used to enjoy before the pandemic, such as setting up a home entertainment room in the basement or a bar in the backyard.

But others wanted to renovate their homes to make them eco-friendly. Making a home eco-friendly requires a lot of planning to ensure the finished project is what the homeowner wanted it to be.

Here are some things homeowners should consider when renovating their homes to make them eco-friendly.

Use Sustainable Materials

The first thing the homeowner should do is to look for sustainable materials to use. It would not make sense if the homeowner use materials that are already scarce. This contradicts the plan of making the home eco-friendly. These days there are a lot of options for homeowners when it comes to sustainable materials. These materials include bamboo, recycled wood, and pre-cast concrete slabs.

The homeowners can use whatever sustainable materials they want to use based on the type of renovation they want to make. Using bamboo gives the home a tropical ambiance, while recycled wood gives the home an elegant and rustic feel.

To enhance the home’s appearance, homeowners may want to paint the interior or exterior of the home. In this case, they can use paint with low VOC or volatile organic compounds. These types of paints have little to no effect on the environment. Additionally, they do not contain pollutants that can affect the health of the homeowners. It’s also important to use these non-toxic paints since homeowners will likely stay at home until the health crisis is over.

Integrate Energy-Saving Devices into the Home

Integrating energy-saving devices is also important to reduce the carbon footprint of the home. These devices include programmable thermostats, LED lights, energy-efficient appliances, and smart washing machines. While the investment necessary for these devices may be high, the savings and resale value of the home will also increase in case the homeowner plans to sell the house in the future.

Aside from the appliances, the homeowner can use the sun’s energy as the main source of electricity for the home. It is one of the cleanest and most sustainable sources of energy available for the homeowner to use. It also reduces the carbon footprint of the home.

Aside from reducing electricity bills, the homeowner can also earn tax credits for using these devices. These tax credits can offset part of the investment homeowners make when they use the sun as their main energy source. They can look for a reliable solar energy company to help them set up the solar panels they need to provide power for the entire house.

Consider the Passive House Concept

The concept of a passive house involves making the home energy-efficient, comfortable, and eco-friendly. It normally requires effective wall insulation that allows savings for heating and cooling to go up. It essentially requires creating an airtight envelope around the house to prevent air from escaping. The only area that remains open is the ventilation system. This allows the home to maintain its temperature regardless of what is happening outside the house.

The homeowner should also manage the ventilation system and install a suitable heating system. Additionally, the windows should also be suitable to allow heat to enter during winter and keep it out during summer. Using appropriate exterior shades can help with this feature.

Passive homes have low energy requirements and provide a high quality of indoor air. The interior temperature also remains at a comfortable level. Using simple architectural elements and a better heating and cooling system can offset the cost of making a home passive.

Work on the Landscape

Landscaping is also important in making a home eco-friendly. The homeowner should choose plants that are easy to maintain and do not need a lot of water to survive. Managing rainwater also allows the conservation of water. Homeowners can collect rainwater in barrels and use it to water the plants. They can also channel the water from the gutter downspout toward the plants if the homeowner has plants that need a lot of water to survive.

Planting a garden in the backyard also gives the homeowner a source of vegetables for personal consumption. The homeowner would not need to buy these essentials from the grocery and reduce his carbon footprint.

Improving the home to make it eco-friendly is challenging. But if the homeowner knows what to do, he will reduce his carbon footprint while saving money on utility bills.

 

Author: WebEditor

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