Eco Friendly Upgrades To Add to Your New Construction Home
With greenhouse gasses on the rise and our climate quickly getting too hot, more and more homeowners are looking for eco-friendly upgrades. Not only does this help reduce your carbon footprint, but it also increases the value and appeal of your home. If you’re about to start building, look into an eco friendly home builder specializing in sustainable home designs. They’ll be able to walk you through this entire process, but for now, here are a few eco-friendly upgrades that can help boost your home value while reducing your carbon footprint.
1. Previously Loved Items
The saying "one man’s trash is another man’s treasure" rings true. Plenty of other homeowners who are remodeling their homes are getting rid of flooring, cabinetry, etc., to make way for new items.
Check your Facebook marketplace or local ads online to find these items. Not only can you get them for much cheaper, but you aren’t contributing to the production emissions that come from manufacturers.
2. Keep Your Yard Local
Homeowners use a ton of water during spring and summer to keep their lawn green, and, while their lawn may be green, the act isn’t. Using flowers and trees that grow native to your area is a great way to avoid using excess water to help non-native plants survive. If you’re in a dry climate, consider using more rock and gravel in your landscaping.
3. Solar Powered Hot Water
Hot water heaters use an exorbitant amount of energy, so why not go solar? They are a lucrative investment that saves you money and will entice buyers in the future (if you decide to sell later on). These solar-powered water heaters can save you up to 80% on your overall cost of heating water.
4. Garage Doors
This is an overlooked yet very important aspect of sustainable home designs, and any good eco friendly home builder will tell you it’s important to invest in this part of your home. Old garage doors allow hot and cold air to move through your home, and an eco-friendly garage door helps keep your home at a more even temperature.
Many of these garage doors are also made of recycled materials, further increasing your home’s sustainability.
5. Install Energy Efficient Windows
Like garage doors, windows allow for a lot of hot and cold air to move in and out of your house. By installing larger windows, you allow the sunlight to naturally heat your home in a greenhouse effect. Make sure your eco friendly home builder places your windows facing the south, and ensure there are no air leaks during the installation process.
Sustainable home designs are within reach, even though they may seem overwhelming at first. We hope these tips can help you reduce your carbon footprint and create a more eco-friendly home that you (and the environment) will enjoy for years to come.