Eco-conscience has become an increasingly important topic in the world. It has moved from the panel discussions to the everyday lives of ordinary people. More and more, people are trying to adapt their lives to the demands of eco-friendliness. If you want to join the cause, there is no better place to start, then with your own home. Remodeling your house in a way that will make it environmentally safe, using more eco-friendly products such as laundry sheets, are investments, not only in the future and well-being of your family, but also in the future of this planet. This sounds like a major undertaking, but stick around, we’ll try to help you do it the right way.
Use reclaimed wood
New things don’t necessarily shine the brightest. Don’t allow yourself to be fooled with claims that new items are always better and longer-lasting. Reclaimed wood is a great way to add a bit of style to your home, without hurting the environment. Time, money and energy that would otherwise be invested in the production of new material will be saved. Reclaimed wood is a great material for flooring, walls, counter-tops and other home renovation projects.
Use bamboo for flooring
Bamboo is quite similar to hardwood. It is equally durable and resistant to moisture. Since bamboo grows back significantly faster than wood, it can be harvested without disturbing the plant’s root system. When it comes to aesthetics, bamboo can have very appealing coloring, which will elevate the style of your home.
Insulate your home
Choosing high-quality insulation will protect your home from the elements. The space will be warmer during the winter and cooler in the summer. This way, you will save a significant amount of energy necessary for heating or cooling the house. Roofs, ceilings, walls and floors should be a barrier that will insulate your house. Besides the energy savings, there are also health benefits reflected in reduced mold and humidity.
Repurpose, recycle and remove
When you start renovating your home, you’ll probably find plenty of things you can give away to charity or sell. The things that you think are worth using once again can be repurposed and refreshed with a new coat of paint or just a bit of work. You can also find furniture pieces or accessories in flea markets and then repurpose them.
Invest in solar energy
Solar energy is definitely the reality in many parts of the world, and for a good reason. Some countries such as Malaysia, Philippines and Hong Kong are already trying to make this happen on a wider scale, which is no surprise. Relying on solar power will save you a lot on energy costs, and even though it is an investment, it’s still considered a sure way to reduce the usage of unsustainable energy sources. Also, using SMA inverter for solar panels will help you convert the current in a form that will be usable in your home. Furthermore, switching to solar energy will lower maintenance costs and provide a safer alternative to fossil fuels that is also beneficial to the environment.
Let the light in
Having a sufficient amount of natural light in your home will not only save energy, but it will also have many positive effects on your health. The sunlight will improve the mood of the members of the household and provide them with much-needed vitamin D. If you can, make sure that you have at least one window in every room. Double-glazed windows are a good option if you want to be completely green. They will reduce energy loss that is most commonly lost through the glass.
The artificial light
Sunlight sometimes simply doesn’t cut it. You have to use artificial light in your house. When installing the lighting, you should still think green. Incandescent light bulbs are spending more money on electricity and frequent light bulb replacement, and thus more energy. More energy-efficient options would be LED lighting products or CFL light bulbs. Installing motion-sensing fixtures will turn the lights off when there’s no one around if you forget to do it yourself, which is one of the common ways energy is wasted.
Use eco-friendly paints
There can simply be no home renovating without painting the walls. Traditional paints have many chemical components, and they can be damaging to your health and for the environment. Fortunately, there are water-based earth-friendly paints which are biodegradable. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), the ingredient of old-school paints, is non-recyclable. Choose the paints with less or, if possible, no VOCs at all.
Prevent mold and moisture
The basics of mold prevention in your house includes moisture prevention. The best way to prevent it from even growing in your home is insulation. You should also make sure that all the water fixtures and pipes are well-placed, and thus prevent leakages which could cause moisture and thus mold. If you face mold problems in your house, you should immediately clean it with the right products and then solve the moisture problem.
Save water
Opting for low flow toilets and showerheads will reduce the amount of water your household is using and thus promote water conservation and energy efficiency. Today’s low flow toilets are made to use much less water per flush. Buying low flow fixtures and water-efficient appliances can seem like a big investment, but, in the long-term, it will pay off.
Make nature work for you
There are some ways to use nature’s gifts in your favor. Installing a solar array (solar panels) will reduce pollution and reduce your expenses. Solar water heaters will use the sun’s warmth as one more way to cut down energy costs. Small wind generators can produce enough power to cut down your electricity costs by 10 to 15 percent. Rain collector systems are collecting and storing rainwater for non-potable use. You can use that water for watering plants, irrigation and flushing toilets.
Final thoughts
Living in a green and healthy home requires careful planning and eco-awareness. Therefore, before you start building and renovating your home, make sure that you’ve got the best contractors who will be able to pull everything off in order to provide you with a green and sustainable home of your dreams. Finally, remember that living a green lifestyle will always pay off, and you’ll be free to enjoy a healthy life in your beautiful green home.
