Your house needs updating from time to time. But home remodeling can also be expensive; hence, it is crucial to spend your money wisely.
Luckily, you can make that happen by implementing eco-friendly updates. That’s because a sustainable home is a beautiful and functional home:
INSULATE YOUR WALLS
The purpose of home insulation is to regulate the indoor temperature without breaking the bank. That’s because it prevents heat from escaping during the winter while reducing the amount of heat entering during summer. As a result, you get to reduce your heating and cooling bills.
But don’t you know that there are eco-friendly insulation materials?
Natural materials like wool and cotton are safe and do not cost respiratory health issues. Nonetheless, home insulation is an eco-friendly move in itself. And when done correctly, it can also protect you and your family from external elements.
What’s essential is that insulation allows spending time indoors more comfortable.
DOUBLE GLAZE YOUR WINDOWS
Aside from insulating your walls, you can also benefit from double glazing your windows. It has the same benefits as wall insulation and can also reduce the interfering external noise.
But keep in mind that there are different types of double glazed windows. Hence, you need to seek professional help.
Luckily, many professional double glazing companies can help you choose a suitable window. It also helps reduce your carbon footprint since you are using less energy in regulating indoor temperature.
RECLAIM OLD WOOD
Whether you are renovating a bathroom, kitchen, or bathroom, consider using reclaimed wood.
Reclaimed wood is any upcycled or repurposed wood. For instance, an old oak door is repurposed as a dining table.
The purpose of using reclaimed wood is that you do not have to spend money on buying a new piece of furniture. This means that you are saving a tree from becoming furniture.
However, reclaimed wood can be expensive than virgin wood. That’s because the former undergo a sorting process and preparation to ensure that it is safe to use.
USE VOC-FREE PAINT
If you are doing a budget makeover, adding a fresh coat of paint can make all the difference. However, paints can cause a plethora of health issues.
For one, it can irritate your skin, eyes, nose, and throat. It can also cause headaches, dizziness, and chronic damage to the nervous system.
Thanks to VOC-free paint, you can update the look of your house without worrying too much about your health. Paints free of volatile organic compounds do not contain hazardous chemicals that can leak to the environment.
Moreover, it does not release fumes that can jeopardize you and your family’s health.
OPTIMIZE YOUR BATHROOM
Your bathroom can be one of the most wasteful areas in your home. Your toilet alone can account for 24% of your daily water consumption.
Thus, it would be best to think of ways to consume less water in the bathroom when renovating.
For instance, you can opt to replace your toilet with a smart model. That’s because an intelligent toilet only uses 0.6 gallons of water per flush. They also come in with a built-in bidet, so there is no need to use toilet paper.
MAKE YOUR KITCHEN ENERGY-EFFICIENT
Aside from your bathroom, your kitchen also consumes a lot of energy.
For one, you can use reclaimed wood as a countertop. Another idea is to replace your old appliances with something energy efficient.
Look for refrigerators and dishwashers with the Energy Star logo. That’s because such appliances can reduce energy consumption, translating to lower electricity bills.
Lastly, pay attention to the materials you use. That’s because the board and wood products used for your kitchen cabinets can contain formaldehyde, which can be harmful to your health.
EMBRACE SMART TECHNOLOGY
If you have the budget, the best way to live a sustainable life is to renovate your house around smart technology. That’s because intelligent home features allow you to regulate energy and water consumption.
Imagine being able to check whether there are unoccupied rooms in your house with the lights on. You can then turn them off using your tablet.
Another excellent example would be programming your house’s thermostat. A smart thermostat regulates heating and cooling, depending on whether a house is occupied or not. This means you can significantly reduce energy consumption when no one’s at home.
Sure, installing smart technology features have a hefty upfront cost. However, this can lead to long-term financial savings.
REMODELING YOUR HOME THE SUSTAINABLE WAY
The thought of remodeling your home can be thrilling. After all, it allows you to enhance your living space.
But as you search for home remodeling options, it would be best to consider sustainability.
That’s because an eco-friendly home allows you to reap the following benefits:
- Better health
- Efficient energy consumption
- Reduced water and electricity bills
- Better quality of life
And most importantly, you get to do your part in saving the planet.
