When it comes to home renovations, you have various ideas to consider. You need to think about your budget, timeline, contractors, and the actual project itself. With so much talk about climate change and sustainability, many people are looking for “greener” projects. Environmentally friendly projects are good for the earth and can be good for your budget too!
Here are some ideas on how to make your home projects more eco-friendly.
Renovate instead of opting for new builds.
Making something that is older new again is a great way to be “greener” than building new homes. In today’s environment, this is a good way to go. If your home is older there may be many ways that you can incorporate this into your renovation plan. It is optimal to change everything in the house all at once, but this is not feasible for most families. Check what will make the biggest impact on your home. Always keep in mind the “resale” value of these projects as you never know when you might want to sell your home.
Install smart home systems.
There are some handy tech gadgets available that can help manage your home even if you are far away. There are simple home systems like lighting and thermostats or doorbell cameras. If you are away, you can monitor your home remotely, especially for travel or even if you are in a rush.
Upgrade your insulation.
Whether you are living in an older home or if you just want to make your home more energy efficient, insulation is the way to go. If the energy in your home is escaping through gaps in windows and doors, you are not using your energy as efficiently as you should. Simple upgrades to your insulation can help with heating and cooling costs. Insulation to walls, floors and your attic can make your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Energy efficient windows
Besides insulation, having new windows installed can make such a difference to your home. Loose, dated, or gaping windows can make you lose energy in your home. It can reduce your carbon footprint by decreasing the amount of energy you need to heat or cool your home. Upgrading your windows is eco-friendly but adding more windows is not. Adding more windows means more energy for heating and cooling to regulate your home.
Opt for low-flow fixtures.
Energy-efficient fixtures can control your home’s water usage. It may take a bit of time to get used to these fixtures, but they will help with the conservation of water for your household.
Use low-impact materials.
Use materials that have a smaller imprint on the environment. Choose quartz, concrete, natural stones, and wood for your renovation projects. Go with the 3 Rs – reuse, reduce and recycle in your home projects.
If you are thinking of remodeling your home always think ahead of how these projects will add more to your resale value. Here are some projects:
- Kitchen and bath renovations
- New siding
- New windows
- Curb appeal
- Fresh paint throughout the home (inside and out)
We hope that we have made you think about green renovations differently. If you need any help with what you should tackle to make your home be more competitive when you sell, our Anne Winch Real Estate Team is just a call/text/email away!