By the look of things, using sustainable solutions might sound arduous and expensive. Fortunately, creating a sustainable and eco-friendly home is something you can achieve. And usually, your effort will come with substantial cost savings.
So, are you ready to think green? Whether you are thinking of reasonable progress to make today or what you should aim for a better tomorrow, the following are the best ways to make your home more sustainable:
- Install a Solar Panel
A solar panel is essential for every home looking to become more sustainable. It is a long-term investment to make.
Although the initial cost of installing is high, you can always apply for solar grants and incentives to relieve that financial stress or burden off your shoulders.
- Consider Reusing What You Already Have
Whether you want to build from scratch, renovate, or extend your home, you can apply this simple measure. Recycling and reusing existing furniture or materials can help you lead to the most creative and characterful design schemes.
Maybe you want to reuse bricks from the house section you demolished. Or perhaps you want to be a little crafty and upcycle dated furniture using new cladding materials or paint.
If you want to fit a new kitchen, consider looking at the carcasses of the existing unit. If they are still in good condition, reuse them and purchase new worktops and doors.
- Incorporate High-Performance Windows
These windows may cut your energy usage by up to 50%. They come with new advancements, including air-tight construction, non-conductive framing materials, and double-glazing special coatings.
Replacing your old windows with high-performance ones will make your house more energy-efficient and quieter and protect your things from fading.
- Invest only in Energy-Efficient Home Appliances
Factor in the number of home appliances you use and the total energy they all take to work, and you will realize you spend a lot.
An HVAC system is an excellent example of a home appliance that consumes a lot of energy. The unit is designed to cool or heat the entire house, and you mostly leave it to run the whole day.
So, if your HVAC consumes a lot of energy, making you incur high energy bills, it is high time you swap it with an energy-efficient system. Other appliances you can replace with more energy-efficient ones include:
- Ovens
- Microwaves
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
Also Read: Solar Energy 101: Your Guide to Sustainable Power
- Minimize the Use of Water in the House
Conserving water is among the most significant steps to make your home more sustainable. This may involve replacing existing appliances with more water-efficient models and installing low-flow faucets & showerheads.
You can also use rainwater barrels to store and collect rainwater for your garden and other outdoor projects. Through these steps, you will minimize water consumption and lower your monthly water bill.
These are some of the best strategies that can help make your home eco-friendly or sustainable, but you can do more. Although some strategies, such as buying energy-efficient home appliances and installing solar panels, require a considerable investment, they are worth your effort.