Living a life of mass consumption is killing our planet. While finding shelter and creating a home that offers comfort is a right, there are ways to go about it responsibly.
Taking an eco-friendly approach to remodeling one’s home can make a significant impact over time. Here are some of the best eco-friendly home remodeling tips for sustainable living.
Install Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows
Installing energy-efficient windows and doors has numerous benefits. On the economic side of things, this investment keeps heating and cooling costs low. Furthermore, these features add resale value to one’s home. On the ecological side of things, having energy-efficient doors and windows prevents wasted energy and mitigates consumption.
As you replace exterior doors and windows in your home, look for energy-efficient designs that assist with temperature control. You can also get heat blocking window treatments or film to help keep your home cool if you live in a hot area or have large south-facing windows.
Control Your Water Consumption
Another cost-saving, eco-friendly home improvement opportunity is to control your water consumption. Many bathroom remodeling Los Angeles innovators are encouraging their customers to buy tankless water heaters, low-flow toilets and showerheads, and aerator faucets. These simple fixtures significantly impact both utility bills and water consumption levels without changing lifestyle habits.
Tankless water heaters also help reduce energy costs, as it heats water on demand rather than keeping it warm all day. These upgrades are well worth the return on investment in utility costs alone.
Making configurations to your bathroom to transform it into a more eco-friendly space can be overwhelming to handle alone. If you don’t know where to start, you can consult bathroom experts here and check out the wide range of relevant products and holistic installation services for your home. In fact, they can even help with designing your bathroom to your preference.
Install Radiant Heating
Radiant heating – sometimes called underfloor or in-floor heating – is an energy-efficient home heating system that’s well worth the investment as well. Scientifically speaking, radiant heat is ideal since heat rises. This means that the heat source is in the optimal place to warm a home with minimal waste. This also means that you need less heat to warm your home.
Keep in mind that any heat source’s effectiveness is contingent on other factors such as insulation, air circulation, etc. However, in a properly sealed home, a little radiant heat goes a long way.
Incorporate Green Energy
Consider adding green energy sources to your home. In most locations and home designs, solar power is the most accessible DIY green energy source.
Adding a few solar panels to your roof may not power your entire home, but it can help cut back on consumption and costs. You can use solar panels to heat your water or power the lights. You can also get solar air conditioners to use the sun’s energy to stay cool.
Investing in a power wall or storage device can also help you save extra energy from high production days to use during low production days.
Consider Bamboo Flooring and Cabinetry
Bamboo is a hot topic in sustainable interior design and home remodeling. Contrary to popular belief, bamboo isn’t wood, it’s a grass. It grows at an incredible rate and can be used in everything from flooring to cabinetry. It’s durable, germ-resistant, and sustainable.
One caveat to using bamboo flooring and cabinets is that it’s quite expensive at the moment. As this material becomes more accessible and supply increases, prices for bamboo are expected to drop.
Recycle and Donate Materials
When engaging in a home remodeling project, one of the most responsible things you can do is limit the amount of construction materials that end up in a landfill. Careful planning is a significant part of this goal. When the project is complete, consider where you can donate leftover materials (old cabinets, for example) to someone in need.
If possible, source recycled or refurbished building materials for your home remodeling project. There are many contractors and construction businesses that actively pursue a sustainable approach to their craft.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to being eco-friendly and practicing sustainability, perfection isn’t necessary. Instead, if many people take small, intentional steps forward, the impacts will resonate. Keep this in mind when remodeling your home.
