How to Go Green with Home Improvement Projects

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You’ve heard all about “going green” but how exactly can you do it? And sure, it would be nice to be environmentally conscious but how practical is it really? And are there any immediate benefits to it? This guide will help you maximize the energy efficiency of your home and ultimately save a lot of money while doing it. Once you go green, the benefits to your conscience and your wallet will start to add up quickly. You’ll be able to save money for family vacations while reducing your carbon footprint to give the environment a vacation, too. Going green starts before you even purchase your home. Here are ten ways that you can minimize your energy costs and environmental impact!

1. Location

The first thing to consider when purchasing (or building) your home is to avoid one that faces west. If you can do that, you’ll reduce sun exposure to your house, thereby keeping you cool during summer and saving you a fortune on that air-conditioning bill. Next, try to acquire a home with easy access to public transportation; you’ll save money on gasoline and reduce carbon emissions easily. You’ll also want to avoid, if possible, having a home near an environmentally sensitive area. All your work to go green won’t matter if your home is damaged in a flood, tornado or earthquake.

2. The Smaller the Better

The larger your home is, the more resources it costs to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Not only that, electricity costs for lighting and water use will increase as well. Try to have a house that’s large enough for you and your family, but not too large.

3. Always Recycle

Certain elements from your last home can be recycled. For example, doors, windows, and wood floors can be taken from your old home into your new one. Reclaimed lumber and recycled glass and plastic can also save you money while reducing your effect on the environment as well. Any and all building materials you utilize should be eco-friendly in order to reduce your impact on the environment. In addition to recycled materials, you can use natural products such as bamboo, cork and linoleum in the building of your house.

4. Use Proper Insulation

Head to Franklin Building Supply and pick up some insulation for your new home. A properly insulated home will save you a fortune in heating and cooling costs and significantly reduce your energy costs. Make sure to properly seal any air leaks around doors, windows and ducts to ensure you’re not wasting any heat through them.

5. Harvest Rainwater

You can install a rainwater harvesting system in your home to collect and store water that hits your roof during the rainy season. Buy a few rain barrels and reuse rainwater for use in your toilet and sprinkler system. It’s also a good idea to purchase tankless water heaters, which heat up only the exact amount of water that you need. This will save you money by reducing your energy costs.

6. Conserve Water

It’s a good idea to install fixtures in your home that conserve water. A low flow faucet or showerhead, for example, will cut back on your water usage and reduce your water bill. You can also find low flow toilets, washing machines and dishwashers to further cut back on your water usage.

7. Plant a Tree

A few carefully placed trees around your home will provide much needed shade during the summer season and reduce cooling costs; once they lose their leaves during the winter months they’ll allow more sunlight in to keep you warmer. Plant these trees around the southern and western sides of your home for the best results, and enjoy the added aesthetic appeal they provide too!

8. Use Solar Power

Installing solar panels on your house will carry a high up-front price tag but be worth it in the long run as you save lots of money on electricity. Not only that, but you’ll possibly be eligible for tax incentives and government grants and may even be able to sell excess energy to your utility company. You’ll want to carefully research the best locations for solar panels on houses in your area to maximize their efficiency. Another green power source you might be able to make use of is a geothermal heat pump, which draws energy from deep underneath the earth and draws it into your home’s HVAC system for an efficient heating method.

9. Use Energy Star Appliances

If you see the ENERGY STAR label on a piece of equipment, it means that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has signed off on that particular appliance as being energy efficient. Always keep an eye out for this label when purchasing appliances and you’ll quickly discover the benefits of these energy saving, high-performance devices. You’ll also want to look for the ENERGY STAR label on your windows; the EPA now rates these windows for their energy efficiency. Look for a lower rating for a more energy efficient window. While the upfront costs are higher on these windows it is absolutely worth in terms of the long-term reduction in energy costs. You should also consider investing in an ENERGY STAR rated HVAC system, which you’ll want to have professionally installed and tested to ensure there is no leakage. Hook this system up to a programmable thermostat to maximize savings by reducing energy costs even further.

10. Energy-Efficient Lighting

In another example of an energy-saving product that has a higher upfront cost but with tangible long-term benefits, LED and CFL bulbs will last significantly longer and use much less power than traditional bulbs.

Kevin Morse works at Franklin Building Supply, a one-stop solution for all the building supply needs. He loves to blog about home décor and DIY and often provides valuable suggestions for home improvement.

Francesca Holmes