With the world’s focus on sustainability growing, many homeowners are looking for ways to add eco-friendly initiatives to their home renovations. While some people opt for complete overhauls and remodels, others are adding sustainable options with each repair.
One of the more popular options to add sustainability to residential and commercial spaces is the addition of a solar powered skylight or two. It’s that easy!
If you’re looking for a few ideas on making your home eco-friendlier, this article is for you.
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What Exactly Does It Mean to be Eco-friendly?
Simply put, being “eco-friendly” means you as an individual or organisation live your life, or run your business, in a way that doesn’t cause harm to the environment or people.
When people put actions in place to become more eco-friendly, they are said to be “reducing their carbon footprint.” Essentially, this means that you’re limiting your individual impact on the environment.
A few of the more common ways to start this process are:
- Invest in products made using sustainable measures
- Opt for eco-friendly appliances and equipment in homes and businesses
- Limit single-use plastic use in production and packaging
- Eating less meat and opting for organic products
- Plant your own vegetable garden to provide your family with healthier food options—this is an excellent way to save costs on groceries as well!
Eco-Friendly Home Improvements to Invest In
The good news is that there are several ways you can make your home eco-friendlier. In some instances, it’s as simple as making a few simple changes around your home. In other cases, it involves making better choices when you’re planning home renovations or repairs. Here are a few improvements that will get you on the way to being more environmentally friendly.
1. Install Solar Products
If you’re looking for a way to reduce your energy bill and be sustainable, the first step should be to consider installing solar products. This can range from skylights to solar panels and a solar roof ventilation system.
Investing in solar products will reduce the need for air conditioning and artificial lighting materials that result in higher energy usage. Using solar power reduces greenhouse gas emissions and limits air pollution.
2. Update Your Plumbing System
When it’s time to replace any plumbing components, our environment experts recommend opting for green options. This can include fixtures that use less water.
Water-saving showerheads and watersense toilets are an excellent place to start. Using these appliances can reduce water use between 20% and 60% annually. Not only will you save money, but you will be one step closer to sustainability.
3. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
It can be costly to replace all your appliances at once. Fortunately, you can replace your appliances as your budget allows. Our experts recommend starting with the appliances that have the most impact such as your refrigerator, stove and dishwasher.
More good news is that there are energy rebates in Australia for replacing old appliances. In some instances, NSW households are eligible for a 40% discount on a new, energy-efficient model if their old fridge is older than 6 years. Furthermore, these appliances are also more energy-efficient, making it a double win!
Until you can replace all your appliances, our experts recommend these few tips to save energy and become more sustainable.
- Use smaller appliances to match the cooking you’re doing—use a smaller toaster oven rather than a full-sized oven to cook small meals
- Run your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer with full loads
- Cover pans while cooking to use less energy
4. Consider Energy-Efficient Windows
If you’re considering upgrading or replacing some of your home’s current windows, our experts recommend opting for energy-efficient products. Traditional windows are often responsible for heat loss. Therefore, up to 30% of households resort to using more heating and cooling systems to warm or cool their homes.
Energy-efficient windows work by reflecting the heat during the warmer months and attracting it during the cooler months. These windows add comfort and reduce long-term energy costs which in turn makes your overall home more sustainable.
5. Switch to LED Light Bulbs
The easiest and cheapest way to start making your property eco-friendlier is to do something as simple as switching to energy-efficient lighting. Do this by replacing regular, older lightbulbs or fixtures with LED bulbs.
While it’s true that LED bulbs may be more costly than the more conventional incandescent bulbs, it’s worth noting that they last longer and have incredible energy savings. You can also use these types of bulbs in your lamps and outdoor lighting fixtures.
Final Thoughts
In addition to making your home eco-friendlier, making a few of these changes will also improve your overall property value. Homeowners looking to sell their homes in the near future will benefit from the value that sustainable features add to property. Keep in mind that potential buyers eager to find a sustainable home will be more inclined to purchase a home with the features already in place!