Green Remodeling Tips for an Eco-Friendly Home

Eco-friendly or “green homes” have been becoming increasingly popular throughout the home building and remodeling industry. At one point green homes were thought to be unattainable or too expensive, when in reality they are as affordable and attainable as ever before. In recent years, people have grown increasingly concerned about their contribution to future environmental issues, in order to help prevent any issues and keep generations to come healthy, each of us should take the initiative to go the extra mile and cut down on our carbon footprints. Because of this it’s become more common to hear terms like energy-efficient, sustainable, and recyclable when discussing building or renovating a home. You can achieve a green, eco-friendly home with these five green remodeling tips below.

Complete an Energy Audit

Before you get started on any major renovations it’s important you find out exactly how much energy your home is using. Common household issues include window and door leaks, outdated appliances, and inefficient systems that aren’t exactly eco-friendly.

Most homeowners are shocked when they see how much energy and money their home is wasting. Hiring a professional to show you exactly where your house is leaking air is a good idea for people who have older homes that haven’t been redone in many years. By completing an energy audit, you can find the root of the problem and get back to creating your green home.

Upgrading Insulation

The space between the inner and outer wall of your home, or wall cavities is important to check on when remodeling your home. If you find your homes insulation is lacking, damaged, or needs repair, don’t stress. There are many green solutions that are both inexpensive and effective. Inefficient insulation can be a big energy waster, so it’s important you make sure your home is covered.

Utilize Passive Solar

Utilize the sun as a source of natural energy and cut down on electrical bills! While installing solar panels is the most common way to use the suns rays for energy, it is not the only way to create a green home. Use the sun to your advantage, consider planing trees and plants that can shade your home in the summer, and still allow the sun to warm your home in the winter. Install shades or blinds that reduce sunlight keeping the heat out and cool air in, in colder months replace them for different window treatments, properly using natural sunlight can be a big energy saver.

Replace Old Appliances

Spending thousands of dollars on new appliances may not sound like the most cost effective option, but it will pay off in the long run. This tip is all dependent on your budget and how necessary you feel appliance upgrades are in your home. Keep in mind older appliances were manufactured without energy consumption in mind, so if your fridge, stove, dishwasher, and washer/dryer could be using more energy each minute than you even realize. ENERGY STAR has an excellent list of items and how much money and energy they can save you. You can also take advantage of rebate programs to get additional dollars back.

Choose Locally Sourced Materials

Eco-friendly products not only refer to the product itself, but how it gets to you as well. If it needs to be shipped across the country, it’s not necessarily “green”. Choosing local materials like wood flooring from a locally owned business not only provides that green aspect your seeking, but helps local smaller businesses in your area. Choosing locally sourced materials has more benefits than just supporting small business, the likelihood of you choosing the correct materials for your home will dramatically increase, making your home more energy efficient.

We hope you found these five eco friendly home remodeling tips helpful when remodeling your home! Remember when remodeling your home call the experts at Waste Solutions 123 for all of your dumpster rental. We proudly and properly dispose of your household waste and remodeling materials for an affordable cost, keeping some green in your pocket! Call us today for a free quote from one of our project managers and get started on your next rental!