Are you looking to make your home environmentally friendly and a little more energy efficient? Maybe you’re just looking to reduce the energy costs associated with your home. Either way, here are three ways you can help improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint.
Making Your Home More Environmentally Friendly
Replace Your Windows
Replacing your windows can be a great way to increase the energy efficiency of your home and subsequently lower your utility bills. How do you know if your windows need replacing? Look for these signs:
- Moisture on the INSIDE of the window or between the panes of glass
- Increase in sound
- Difficulty opening
- Increase in utility bills
While the cost of windows can vary greatly, HomeAdvisor reports that you can expect to spend between $3,000-$7,000 to replace ten windows. That being said, the cost to replace the windows in your home is highly variable based on the number of windows, size of windows and type of window you choose as a replacement.
Upgrade Your Appliances
Upgrading your appliances to ones can help save you money on your utilities but you also get new appliances which is just plain fun, if we are being honest. Here are the top five appliances that use the most energy:
- Water Heater
- Washer and Dryer
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
With all of the choices out there, it can often be advantageous to work with a professional remodeler to help streamline the process and sort through all of your options.
Build an In-Home Recycling Center
The addition of an in-home recycling center can help simplify the recycling process around your home. When remodeling a kitchen, you (or your remodeler) can work with a cabinet maker to incorporate it seamlessly into your new kitchen. First you will want to see what recycling is available in your area and how rubbish needs to be sorted. From there, you can work to build the most efficient system for your family. Remember: the easier to access, the more prone your family will be to using it.
Bonus: Here a few VERY small changes you can make at home to be a little more eco friendly-
Natural cleaners
There is a lot to be said for the power of baking soda and vinegar. From oven cleaners to surface cleaners, chances are you already have everything you need. Here is a quick and easy bathroom cleaner to try:
In a jar combine:
- 1.5 cups of baking soda
- 1/2 cup of warm water
- 1/2 cup of liquid soap
- 2 Tbsp of white distilled vinegar
Wool dryer balls
Ditch dryer sheets and make the switch to wool dryer balls. Equally as effective and with an average lifespan of 2-5 years, you will more than make the $10 initial investment back. Worried you’ll miss the scent that comes along with traditional dryer sheets? Just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and you’ll never know the difference.
Connect With Our Home Remodelers
Looking to make your home environmentally friendly but not sure where to start? We can help! When you hire a professional remodeler, you can spare yourself the renovation headache and let us make your vision come to life. Contact our custom home renovation experts for a complimentary showroom consultation. Get in touch with Renovation By Design at (248) 260-7639.
