A more energy-efficient home has numerous benefits; it saves you a lot of money and ensures your home functions better. This, in turn, cultivates a healthier and safer environment for your family. Choosing to build a futuristic home can be easily done since it does not require a large sum of money to achieve, and it is one of the most effective ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Not only that, but with eco-friendly appliances, we are actually making our daily lives easier. To help you get started and make a worthwhile difference for your household, here are some strategies to go green at home.
Get an Upgrade
Our windows and doors can affect the air quality in our homes, which is why it’s time to get an upgrade once you see some wear and tear. Cracks and ill-fitted frames indoors or windows will cost you more money in the long run because you won’t have much control over the temperature in your home. Your HVAC will work overtime to maintain the temperature, as your home won’t lock the air in. You can purchase seals and strips to temporarily solve this problem, but you’ll be upgrading the strips every time there’s any turbulent weather. Therefore, investing in energy-efficient window and door models is going to last much longer.
Do Some Gardening
If you’ve got a green thumb, now’s your time to shine. For a more futuristic home, few things do the trick quite like depending on mother nature herself. By planting shrubs or trees around the exterior of your home, you are improving the air quality your household will receive. It’s no secret that plants provide a more refreshing appeal, but they also improve our health and the environment we live in.
Invest in Solar Panels
Solar panels are a pollution-free solution for a residence. With this installation, you won’t rely on fossil fuels and you are renewing power that is clean and available to you, thanks to nature. It drastically reduces your utility bills, making it a worthy investment and you are helping the environment.
In addition to this, there are many tax incentives to going more energy-efficient at home, so by making healthier choices for your family, you’re actually saving yourself money as well. Some states offer financial benefits to those who help the environment. So, if you live in Washington, you’re in luck because solar panel incentives are offered by the government. This means that residents are exempt from sales tax while simultaneously saving on electricity. Solar panel installations can be done by yourself, but it’s best to hire a professional to ensure they’re properly installed.
Insulate Your Walls
Another way to control the temperature in your home, and lock hot air in or out, is to insulate your walls. This also helps you save on your electric bill, which consequently, leads to less production of pollution from your appliances. You can find a local energy auditor to insulate your walls. An attic often makes it difficult for you to insulate air in your home, so this is one area that will certainly need a green makeover.
Swap Your Lightbulbs
The type of lighting you choose for your home can affect your utility bills because incandescent light bulbs waste a lot of energy because of their heat. Therefore, switching to compact fluorescent lamps is a must if you want an eco-friendly home. CFLs don’t generate the same amount of heat, so you won’t have to worry about overheating or energy wasted.
Switch Off Appliances
Some appliances require more power consumption than others so it’s a good idea to understand just how much energy is wasted unnecessarily. There are many ways you can reduce energy consumption by being more mindful of the appliances you’re using. Try to use large appliances that consume more energy in the evening. You can also go a more natural route like investing in a clothesline instead of using the dryer during the warmer months. Furthermore, unplugging devices that consume energy even when not in use is a simple way to save money.
image © Margaret Polinder
Going green is one of the most refreshing things to do because, if you’re surrounded by a healthy environment, you will begin to make healthier choices. This means a better quality of life for your household. One of the best things about building an energy-efficient home is that it is so easy to do. With the above tips, you’ll see just how much money you’ll save by making these small but very effective changes.
