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An environmentally friendly home is one that's healthy, safe, and efficient. In addition to your house's environmental impact, there are practical reasons why going green makes sense. Environmentally friendly homes are more energy-efficient, for example, lowering your overall cost of ownership over time.
Here are some ways to make your home more environmentally friendly:
1. Upgrade Your Window Treatments
The most effective way to insulate your home is through strategic window treatments. For example, solar shades can keep the sun's warmth from entering in the summer and hold that heat inside during the winter. This can dramatically impact the cost of heating and cooling your home.
2. Add Plants to Your Indoor Space
Adding plants throughout your home is an inexpensive and easy way to make it feel more spacious. Not only are plants aesthetically pleasing, but they can also filter out harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde and benzene, which may be responsible for the sick building syndrome in your home.
3. Check for Leaks in Your Foundation
Leaks can result in higher water bills, structural damage, mold growth, and musty odors. Check the exterior of your home's foundation for cracks or gaps that allow moisture to seep into the basement or crawlspace. Cracks between windows and doors are also signs that you need to caulk your home to prevent leaks.
4. Reduce Toxic Chemicals in Your Home
Many of the cleaning products you use are more harmful than helpful, particularly chlorine bleach, ammonia, and alcohol-based cleaners. Switching out some seemingly innocuous items can greatly impact your indoor air quality. For example, vinegar is one of the most effective and inexpensive cleaning products.
5. Use High-Efficiency Appliances
Most appliances use a tremendous amount of energy, which is why buying new ones with high-efficiency ratings can have a big impact on your home's overall efficiency. For example, a dishwasher with a high-efficiency rating uses half the energy required for washing dishes by hand. Look for the Energy Star logo to guarantee savings.
6. Install Low-Flow Fixtures and Showerheads
With a few simple changes, you can reduce your water usage and lower your utility bills without sacrificing the comfort of your home. For example, new showerheads and faucets often use less than half the water of standard fixtures, which means big savings over time.
7. Install Solar Panels
Few homeowners think about solar panels, but more than one billion people on Earth lack access to reliable electricity. Installing solar panels on your roof can provide you with some or all of the energy you need while saving money on your monthly utility bill. Depending on your location and usage, the savings could be considerable.
8. Install a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters are more expensive to install, but they use about 40 percent less energy than traditional tank-style water heaters. That means you'll not only save on your monthly utility bill but also waste less on materials over time. In addition, if you live in an area with high water usage, such as an area with long periods of drought, a tankless system is the most environmentally friendly option.
Closing Thoughts on Making Your Home More Environmentally Friendly
Your home is your safe haven, but it's also one of the biggest energy consumers. Greening up your existing space means saving money over time while also protecting the air you breathe and the environment around you.
We can help you with the first option, so contact us and let us help you find the right window treatment for you!
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