This summer’s house renovations wouldn’t be complete without some eco-friendly upgrades. If you want to increase the value of your home, or you’re just environmentally conscious and strive to be as green as possible, here are some home improvements you can do.
Update Your Roofing
This summer is the perfect time to install a new roof. There are a variety of eco-friendly choices available, including metal. A metal roof is extremely sturdy and can reflect heat, which helps to keep the house cool during the summer. Another interesting roofing fact is that metal roofs are environmentally favorable. They’re the most environmentally friendly roofing options available, lasting far longer than standard asphalt shingles. In most cases, metal roofs are also 100% recyclable. You can also opt for a green roof. A green roof is one where the home’s roof is partially or entirely covered with vegetation. Green roofs make the most of the area available while also contributing to environmental sustainability.
Investing in a new eco-friendly roof today can save you money in the long run. You can also install a reflecting roof, also known as a cool roof, as part of your home improvement this summer. A cool roof is designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than typical roofing materials.
Install Awnings
If your windows are exposed to direct sunlight for the most part of the day. You can, however, build awnings over these windows to reduce glare. By concealing sunlight, awnings over windows can lower inside temperatures, minimizing the need to turn on the air conditioner in the summer. They also provide elegance and curb appeal to a home’s exterior, which can help with selling. There are even solar-powered automated awnings that can help you save even more energy.
Check Your Plumbing
To make your home more eco-friendly, you don’t have to conduct a whole-house improvement. Simply upgrading your toilet and showerhead can save you a lot of money and water. Toilets use almost a quarter of all household water. Per flush, some toilets consume more than 13 liters of water. As a result, we must transition to water-saving, low-flow plumbing systems. Fixing easy-to-fix leaks, which are the majority of leaks, will save you roughly 10% on your water bill. Dripping faucets and old toilet flappers are examples of easy-to-repair leaks.
Plant Trees
Trees act as natural air conditioners, absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and providing shade to protect your home from the sun. Before planting, do some study on different tree species. Take into account the growing conditions, upkeep, and native species. Saplings might take five to seven years to grow, depending on the tree, so plant strategically now to reap the benefits later. Trees are a way to cool your home naturally and lower the pressure on your AC.
Update Outdated Appliances
Energy star appliances are the best option if you are looking for eco-friendly improvements. Advanced technologies are used to lower the energy usage of these environmentally friendly items. Energy star appliances, on average, save households 10% to 40% more than standard home appliances, allowing them to save energy, money, and reduce emissions. For example, energy star-labeled light bulbs are 75% more energy-efficient than incandescent lights. Considering 85% of the nation’s homes were constructed before 1980 and do require home improvement, updating your appliances should be on your home improvement checklist this summer.
Home upgrades that are environmentally friendly not only help you go green, but they also help you save money. Whether you want to give your home a little makeover or embark on a major renovation project, being eco-friendly is the way to go and it all starts with these home improvements listed above.