Home Improvement Projects to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

From reducing indoor pollution to mitigating climate change, a sustainable home and lifestyle come with a multitude of benefits. Going green is valuable not only for reducing carbon footprint but also for improving you and your family’s overall quality of life.

Besides significant waste reduction and minimizing chemical emissions, investing in sustainable home elements will prove beneficial in the long-run because of lowered utility bills. Green options may cost more than their traditional counterparts at the onset, but they actually make the home more energy-efficient and bring down the monthly upkeep and expenses as a result.

As you get more conscious about how you and your home are making an impact on the environment, you’ll also be in a better position to protect your physical, mental, and social health and well-being. Living a natural lifestyle does wonders for your mind, body, and spirit while raising the standards for comfort, durability, and environmental stewardship. 

Excited to do your bit for Mother Earth by redefining the way you run your home? Here are some simple and practical ways and tips to make your home eco-friendly and sustainable. 

Go Solar

Solar panel technology is an essential feature of any eco-friendly property. Don’t think twice about powering your home with 100% clean and renewable energy from the sun, instead of getting energy from power plants that burn oil, coal, and gas. 

Not only will you be able to keep energy costs down or eliminate energy bills, but you’ll also be able to save thousands of money over the course of 20 years. You can even benefit from incentives, rebates, and credits from the government and utility companies 

Switch to Energy-efficient Light Bulbs

Swapping your older incandescent light bulbs with new, energy-efficient CFL or LED bulbs is among the easiest ways to make your home more sustainable. Not only do these alternative light bulbs use 75% to 80% less energy than incandescent ones, but they also last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs, so you won’t have to replace them as often. It makes more sense to switch as early as possible so you can save more money in the future. 

Embrace Everything Natural

Everything from paper to glass bottles, jars, plastics, and more can be repurposed and recycled. Break the habit of going for things shiny and new when you can think of creative ways to put your old items to use or buy recycled products whenever you can. 

For example, reclaimed wood is an excellent choice for renovating your countertops, walls, and flooring. And how about taking your gardening game to the next level by creating compost from your kitchen scraps and leftover food? You’ll be able to reduce household waste, save money on fertilizers, retain your soil’s moisture, and keep those diseases and pests away. 

Everyday household items like lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar are natural yet effective cleaning products for your day-to-day cleaning tasks. Ditch those cleaning items with harmful chemicals that are bad for your health and the environment. 

Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances

Refrigerator and other large appliances in your home use a ton of energy and may end up costing a great deal more to run over time. Choose energy-saving appliances that function at peak performance but do not generate a lot of electricity. Look for dishwashers, ovens, air conditioners, water heaters, and other appliances that meet or even exceed energy use standards. 

Keep Up with Smart Insulation

Investing in high-quality insulation is one of the smartest ways to ensure your home uses as little energy as possible. The better insulated your home is, the better it is protected from the elements. 

Fix those air leaks right away, so you don’t waste heated or cool air and prevent your systems from working harder than they should. Seal gaps and cracks in your attic and basement and around windows and doors. Check the places in your home that should have sufficient insulation for maximum returns. 

Plant and Landscape to Save Energy

Smart landscaping will not only boost the overall visual appeal of your home but also help you save energy and money. Cut down on cooling costs by planting trees on the west and south sides of your house. Go for native and low-maintenance plants, so you don’t have to overwater. Potted plants work well for making your home more welcoming and are effective for indoor air cleaning. 

Program Your Thermostat

Stop overworking your air conditioning and heating units or wearing down your HVAC systems. Get a smart or programmable thermostat that can save you lots of energy year-round by helping you avoid unneeded heating or cooling while you’re away from home or sleeping. This way, you won’t have to rely on fossil fuels, and you effectively lower your utility bills.

There is a wide array of smart thermostats that allows you to monitor your cooling and heating systems via your mobile device. Program your system to match your schedule and adapt your preferences and behaviors. 

Get Serious on Saving Water

There is a myriad of lifestyle changes you can make and efficient fixtures you can maximize to conserve water in your home. It can be as simple as turning off the tap when you brush your teeth or shave, so you don’t waste water. If you’re not dealing with stubborn stains on your clothes, just run your washing machine on the cold water setting so you can minimize carbon dioxide emission and keep your clothes in good condition for longer.

Up the ante on your water-saving endeavors by installing low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets that enable you to control the amount of water you use better every time. Fixing leaks in your sinks or bathrooms also goes a long way towards conserving one of the world’s most precious resources. 

Improve Your Home the Green Way

Going green for your home is more than just a trend; it’s a way of life that makes a lasting impact. You don’t have to go for drastic changes right away. Start with simple, environmentally savvy ways to renovate your home and make it sustainable for many years to come. 

Author – Enrique is a Business Development Executive at SolarNRG Philippines. Its parent company, SolarNRG Netherlands is one of the largest suppliers and installers of solar power system in Europe. Enrique’s experience stretches beyond business development as he also works as a Marketing Director for a motorsport store — further solidifying his business acumen.