When you buy a home, you can make it green home by making small adjustments over time. Some of the most immediate ways to make your home environmentally friendly are simple and inexpensive. In this article, we’ll walk through some of the easiest changes that will have a big impact on your carbon footprint.
Replace your windows
Replacing your windows is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make your home more energy efficient. Windows are a big source of heat loss in homes, so replacing them with new, energy efficient ones can significantly lower your utility bills.
In many cases, the cost of new windows will be covered by an energy rebate program or tax credit (check out our article on how to find these programs). If you’re interested in learning more about how window replacement works and what options are available for you, take a look at our Green Home Building section for more information!
Upgrade your insulation
Insulation is the most important part of green home building. It’s an easy upgrade that can be made to your home’s exterior and interior walls, as well as the attic and basement.
Insulating your home will help keep it cool in summer and warm in winter–and save you money on energy bills!
Install solar power
Solar panels are a great way to save money, and they can be installed on your roof or in a yard. Solar panels are rated by watts, so you need to buy enough to meet your needs. If you want to get started with solar power now, it’s best to hire an electrician who knows what they’re doing–and if possible, one who has experience installing solar panels!
Use natural light whenever possible
- Use natural light whenever possible.
- Natural lighting is the best kind of light, but it can be difficult to achieve in a home built out of concrete and steel. To maximize the amount of natural light in your home:
- Open up windows and doors to let in as much sunlight as possible. If you don’t have any windows on one side of your house, consider installing some skylights or solar tubes (a type of glass tube that brings sunlight down from above).
- Use light fixtures with bulbs that have high color temperatures (the Kelvin rating), which will make them more yellowish than white like fluorescent lights do, this means they’ll look more like natural sunlight!
Choose low VOC paint for interior walls and floors
- Choose low VOC paint for interior walls and floors.
- VOCs are toxic chemicals that are released into the air when paint is applied. Low-VOC paints have been available for some time, but they’re still more expensive than regular paints, so you may want to do some research on your options before making a decision.
Many things you can do to without breaking the bank
There are many things you can do to green your home without breaking the bank. Here are some ideas:
- If you’re building a new house, consider using renewable materials such as bamboo or straw bales in the construction process. These materials are more expensive than traditional wood and concrete, but they’re also more durable and require less energy to produce than their conventional counterparts. You’ll be able to see an immediate return on investment as well since these resources don’t need to be replaced as often due to wear and tear (or if at all).
- Consider upgrading your existing appliances instead of buying new ones if possible, especially if they have reached their useful life span already anyway! This will save money over time because most manufacturers offer discounts when purchasing refurbished models versus purchasing brand new ones straight from them directly; plus they’ll always come with warranties so there’s no risk involved either way! Just make sure before making any final decisions though…
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many green home building upgrades that are simple and affordable. They can also help to reduce your utility bills and make your home a healthier place to live. If you’re ready to learn more about these options or if you want some assistance finding an expert contractor near you, contact us today!