Are you thinking of making some changes to your home? Many people love to improve their homes. They enjoy transforming their properties to make them look great and better suit their needs. Carrying out eco-friendly home improvements can be really satisfying and also boost the value of your property. During 2020, spending on home improvements in the United States soared. Around $420 billion was spent on home repairs, and improvements as many homeowners decided to complete DIY and work on their homes during the pandemic.
From extensive renovation and remodels to a quick decorating project, there are many ways to breathe new life into your home to match your tastes. But, when making changes to your property, there is usually lots of waste generated as a result. If you are concerned about the waste that will result from your home improvements, you may be wondering how you can reduce this. There are many ways to reduce the impact your refurbishment has on the planet. Carrying out home improvements provides the perfect opportunity to introduce many environmentally-friendly features to your home. It will reduce your family’s carbon footprint. Here are some ways to make eco-friendly home improvements during your home improvement work:
Eco-Friendly Home Improvements
Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors
Heating and cooling your home can send your energy bills soaring. The more energy you use, the higher your carbon footprint will be. Find ways to stop the hot or cold air from escaping from your home. This means your HVAC system will not need to work so hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. One of the main ways that hot and cold air escapes from your home are out of your windows and doors.
To ensure your home stays at your preferred temperature and your energy efficiency is improved, it can help to change your windows and doors. Choosing replacement window Installation from a company that specializes in high-quality windows is an excellent way to reduce your energy consumption. It makes for eco-friendly home improvements at the same time. Choosing a window installation company that can provide you with windows fitted with energy-efficient glass is a great way to make an energy-efficient selection. If the frames are made with recycled or sustainable materials, then that is even better.
Choosing to replace windows and doors is a popular way to improve a home, It can completely transform the appearance of your property. Being able to make these changes by using eco-friendly replacements is an even better way to enhance your home. It also reduces your impact on the environment.
Recycle and Upcycle
Constantly buying new products, especially cheap items that do not last, can be incredibly bad for the environment. So, you may want to consider upcycling some of your existing furniture when making eco-friendly improvements to your home. Painting your furniture in a different color and giving it a different finish is an excellent way to revamp your current pieces. It will save waste as well as saving you money.
If you are not keen on upcycling items and plan to replace them instead, you may want to consider selling them as preloved pieces. Selling on the things you no longer want or need will prevent them from going to the landfill. You will also generate extra cash to put towards your eco-friendly home improvements.
Generate Your Own Power
Solar panels are an increasingly common presence on homes across the country. If you are keen to explore renewable energy and reduce your carbon footprint, solar panels could help you achieve this. Having solar panels installed at your property can have several benefits. You are generating your own renewable energy. And you will see a significant reduction in your energy bills. In some cases, having solar panels fitted can be a selling point for your home and could increase its value.
How much energy your panels generate will depend on the location of your home. This is something to keep in mind if you decide to research this subject further and understand the viability of having solar panels at your home
Improve Your Insulation
Are you planning to remodel your home and transform unused areas such as your basement and loft into usable living space? If so, you may want to consider adding some extra insulation to these areas of your home during the remodel. Just as your cooled or heated air can escape through your windows and doors, the same is true of your attic and basement. Adding insulation can help transform these areas into a comfortable space. It will stop the hot and cold air from escaping. Choosing eco-friendly insulation suited to your home’s needs will ensure that your new living areas will be comfortable all year round. This will allow you to get full use of them.
Bathroom Upgrade
Is a new bathroom feature in your eco-friendly home improvements plan? If so, why not improve your eco-friendliness at the same time as upgrading your bathroom? Changing your bathroom fixtures and fittings provides an ideal chance to add some water-saving features to your home. Much of the water households use every day is used in the bathroom. Washing hands, taking showers, brushing your teeth, and flushing the toilet all use up lots of water. Minimizing the amount of water your household wastes each day is so much easier when you have a bathroom designed to save water.
Choosing a toilet with a reduced flush will minimize the water used and could help to reduce your water bills. If you are buying an electric shower, selecting one with an eco mode is a great way to cut water consumption. You can also choose water-saving shower heads to reduce further the amount of water used each day in the shower. When shopping for a new faucet for your basin, you may want to opt for a tap with restricted flow; this can make a surprisingly big difference to your water consumption.
Which of these eco-friendly home improvements would you like to include in your home improvements?