If you want your home to be more environmentally friendly, this guide can help your remodeling. Here are the best eco-friendly renovations for your home.
There are only 10 years left to prevent irreversible climate destruction. So people are looking for ways to make their lives more eco-friendly, and eco-friendly renovations for your home are a great place to start. After all, the average American home accounts for about 48 tons of CO2 annually. When you want to lower your carbon footprint, make sure you factor in these renovation ideas.
Solar Panels
No matter the size of our home renovation budget, solar panels should be a part of it. Using solar panels is an easy way to lower your carbon footprint, and even cut your electricity bill. Work with some of the top solar companies to see if solar panels are right for your home.
Eco-Friendly Appliances
Make sure you’re using eco-friendly appliances with the energy star certification. These appliances use less water and less energy. And if you’re not already, make sure you have LED light bulbs throughout your home. These light bulbs use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs.
Efficient Landscaping
Landscaping is arguably one of the most superfluous wastes of water Americans use. But it doesn’t have to be. When you redo your landscaping, focus on hardly, native plants that thrive with the natural rain cycles, so you can waste less water.
Grow a Garden
Speaking of plants, consider growing a garden. This helps lower your carbon footprint because you’re getting your food sourced as locally as it gets. Instead of shipping your produce halfway across the country, you can pluck it right out of your backyard. Plus decorating with plants like herbs and flowers is a great way to spice up your cuisine, or encourage native pollinators.
Up-cycle
Americans throw out about 7 pounds of waste per person every day, and that’s a huge issue. When trash rots in landfills, it releases methane, which is even worse for the atmosphere than carbon. So instead of buying new, give old things a new life by up-cycling. You’ll have eclectic decor that’s eco friendly, and full of history.
Put Water First
Water is our most precious resource, yet an estimated 4.8 to 5.7 billion people will live in places with water scarcity by 2050. Install low flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets. And if it’s in your budget, consider adding a grey tank to get the most out of the water you do use.
Look at Your Lifestyle
Home renovations are a great way to start, but consider your lifestyle as a whole too. Pick up composting and make sure you’re properly recycling. As much as possible, fill your home with secondhand items to lower the demand for new productions. It’s great to start living in an eco-friendly home, but that should be a launching point, not your final destination.
Remember These Ideas for Your Eco-Friendly Renovations
Eco-friendly renovations are a brilliant way to make your home more eco-friendly, but only to a point. Remember, a big part of the climate crisis comes down to consuming too much and wasting so much. So when you want to renovate your home to be more eco-friendly, only make changes if the new product will help save energy or water in the future. Otherwise, look to make old things last as long as possible.
We’re here to help you create a beautiful home that fits your taste. Keep exploring for more great ideas that resonate with you.