Green Home Improvements That Save You Money and Help the Environment

Posted on June 23, 2020

Whether you’re looking to improve your current home or are in the process of building your dream one, investing in sustainable and environmentally beneficial improvements can boost the overall worth of your home and reduce your impact on Mother Nature.

It really is a no-brainer when it comes to saving money and helping the environment, so, if you’re ready to start making some eco-friendly upgrades, here are some tips to help get you started:

Upgrade, Upgrade, Upgrade

One of the best parts about making green improvements to your home is how easy it can be. Regardless of your lifestyle, there is something you can optimize in your life and home to be more eco-friendly. As Ohio University explains, “The anticipation of severe climate change, a developing universal awakening to the detriments of fossil fuels, and greater value on lessening our economic and environmental footprint are increasing interest in sustainable design techniques. As a result, innovation in this sector is quickly growing.” Whether you’re building a home from the ground up or hoping to create a healthier place to live, there are likely plenty of environmentally-conscious options to pick from.

Ohio University goes on to list several new approaches to green building design. Some that they include are:

Heating and Cooling: This area has long been overdue for new innovations as the energy demands for heating and cooling are expected to rise over the next century. Because of this, there are more low-threshold, high-impact heating, and cooling options that can either be incorporated into new structures or already existing ones. A geothermal heat pump, for example, is a great green option as it’s efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly (it’s also easy on the wallet as it helps reduce the cost of your power bill).
Materials: Many are turning to natural and recycled materials when it comes to home improvement and new buildings. Not only does it reuse and reduce overall waste, but recycled materials also mean cheaper project costs as well as mitigating the environmental cost of making brand new materials. Rammed earth walls are one option that is made by ramming mixture gravel, sand, silt, and a small amount of clay into place between flat panels. It’s eco-friendly, low-carbon, and can be used as thermal storage, absorbing the warmth of in the daytime and then slowly releasing the warmth in the cool evenings.
Water: Water collection and filtration is an age-old process that is also seeing new innovations as experts try to make the process cheaper and easier. In fact, a startup company called Thinkphi Lab has developed a suspended water collection device that doubles as a filter for collected rainwater that can also be used as a solar energy harvester.

Combining new sustainable designs into your home doesn’t have to be complicated. One of the perks of building your own home is being able to incorporate more green materials and additions as you build. However, even if you’re not building a new home, it’s still fairly easy to upgrade those outdated aspects of your home such as replacing the old water heater or installing solar panels on the roof. The upfront cost might be daunting, but over time you should expect to see a return on your investment as well as reducing your impact on the environment.

Retire Old Appliances

Typically, people tend to focus on upgrading the outside of their home when it comes to making more sustainable, eco-friendly changes. However, as you’re building or remodeling, it’s important to not overlook the inside of your house as well. For example, as upgrade gurus at MarketPro Homebuyers point out, one simple home improvement you can make is with your home appliances.

Appliances are easily one of the most used features in a home. From dishwashers to refrigerators, having old appliances could seriously be costing you more money while also being more wasteful. If anything else during your home renovation, invest in new appliances. They are certainly worth it as upgraded appliances are more energy-efficient but can also add a feeling of newness to your home instantly. You’ll not only enhance the look of your kitchen or laundry room but you’ll likely save money on future utility bills and add more value to your home.

Making the effort to reduce the environmental impact of your home is a great decision. Not only does going green improve the look and value of your home, but it’ll also save you money and ensure that you’re doing your part to take care of everyone’s home, Earth.