Energy Star Appliances Save Water, Electricity and Money

If you’re planning to replace refrigerators, air conditioners, or other types of major appliances, Energy Star appliances have become one of the most common ways people can reduce their energy usage and simultaneously lower their utility bills. There are many options for high-quality appliances that reduce the amount of water and electricity needed for daily living.

Improved Insulation

Heating and cooling homes accounts for most a home’s energy expenditure. Proper insulation plays a major role in vastly reducing the amount of energy and money needed to keep a home comfortable. If you are gutting your fixer-upper, make sure to use insulation that will prevent your home from using more energy than it actually needs to stay cool or warm.

Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats are one of the most popular pieces of smart home technology, and with good reason. These high-tech thermostats make it easy to stay comfortable, while reducing the energy needed to keep your environment at your preferred temperature throughout the day.

Low-Emittance Windows

Replacing windows is common when purchasing an older home. Another green feature that helps keep your cooling and heating usage reasonable are low emittance (low-E) windows. This special glass reflects harmful UV rays and heat from sunlight, keeping homes cooler, without making the house dark.

Install a Low-Flow Toilet

Water is a finite resource and it’s best not to waste it. To help in this effort, it’s best to invest in a low-flow toilet to conserve water. You will still be able to flush with ease and probably won’t even notice a difference.

Avoid VOCs

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are found in many brands of paint, building materials, and wood preservatives. Try to find materials that are labeled as being “VOC free.” If VOCs are unavoidable in some of your building materials, make sure to properly ventilate the area where you will be exposed to them and wear protective materials when possible.

Cool Roofs

If you need to replace your roof, there has been much advancement in materials. Builders can help you choose materials that can reflect heat and light away from the home, increasing the overall efficiency of the home’s heating and cooling system.

Go Solar 

The sun is very powerful and it’s a renewable source of energy, which you can use to your advantage. Collecting the power of the sun via solar panels can give you electricity to power your whole house guilt-free. Not only will you help the environment through saving energy, but you will notice your electricity bills decrease as well.

Incorporate Plants in Your Design

Having greenery in your home is not only beautiful, but it can also create a more sustainable home. Having a backyard garden where you can grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs can help you avoid the waste that comes with produce from the grocery store. If you have the space, learn to compost in your backyard. Not only will your food scraps be avoiding the landfill, but you’ll be producing rich soil to put back into your garden.

Shop Local

When you choose to use local businesses to source your materials, you are helping to avoid the pollution that shipping materials create. Choosing to get furniture from a local builder instead of buying furniture from a big box store that ships its furniture from overseas is an easy way to avoid contributing to global pollution.

For Extra-Credit, Try Reusing and Repurposing…

Using Salvaged Wood or Discarded Metal

Using recycled materials such as wood and metal will help to reduce waste and the need for fossil fuels as trucks and machinery aren’t required to cut down existing trees. Plus, it gives your home a unique and contemporary look.

Re-Face Your Home Rather Than Replace

You can give your home a whole new makeover without actually destroying or wasting materials. Repaint your cabinets or include salvaged windows and doors.

Buy Pre-Owned Household Items

Many times it isn’t necessary to have the newest and shiniest things. Purchasing antique and secondhand items in good condition can work just as well and provide a unique piece that people will admire.

When it comes to being environmentally friendly, reusing and repurposing everything you can to avoid creating waste is very effective. Anything in your fixer-upper that is salvageable can be refinished to make it fit in with the new look of the house. Refinishing floors, reupholstering furniture that you already have, and reusing finishes like trim or molding are great ways to keep the character of the house intact while also being green.