Making improvements to your home using green methods, basically implies that you are making amendments to your dwelling that are good for the environment and save energy. This is cost-effective for your energy expense but it does cost more to start these activities. Following are a few simple tips to have a more environmentally friendly home as you better it.
Remodeling
When people think of remodeling, one of the first parts of the house they often want to address is the kitchen. This room is great as there are many green choices you can make here, from things like the fridge you buy to the countertops you use. Using materials for the countertops that are local and natural, such as stone, clay, or porcelain tiles, you’re not only making a green choice but you can give your kitchen a new and distinctive look. You should also take a look at all of your kitchen appliances and make sure they’re up to date when it comes to energy efficiency.
Windows
All new appliances will have an Energy Star logo, which is what you need to look out for. Used for cushioning and containing heat, windows are also useful for decorating and allowing the light to shine into your house. In fact, the type of windows you have can be a major factor when it comes to your heating bills. It is possible to make your home much more energy efficient by obtaining double or triple-paned windows. Reduction of heat loss could be obtained by up to fifty percent with a coat of Low-E (low emissivity). Thus, this is economical in the long run although it will be more expensive upfront to replace your windows with energy-efficient types. And you will find the winters more tolerable.
If you live in an area where the summers get hot, you should be aware of low-cost ways to keep your house cool. Air conditioning units are rather costly and they aren’t green, however many people choose them. There are other alternatives though. One of the best methods of efficiently cooling a room down is by using fans.
Shades and Curtains
Passive cooling can also be used, which means simply using shades or curtains to block out the sun and heat throughout the day. You can also create more shade by planting certain types of trees or shrubs in strategic places. If you think about it you can discover many other cheap ways of cooling down your home so that you only have to use the air conditioner on days when it’s sweltering.
As you continue to make green changes to your home you will see that it’s not so difficult after all. You’ll actually be much better off and things will be easier because you’ll be more independent and you’ll save money. Sometimes, however, as with insulation or solar panels, you do have to pay an upfront cost to reap these advantages. You will save money with environmentally options in the long run though.