Green Home Remodeling Helps You Live a Low-Impact Green Life
More and more homeowners are concerned about its effect on the environment. After all, American consumers create 21 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions and make up less than five percent of its population. Reducing your carbon footprint and participating in low-impact living means more than just recycling newspapers. It can expand to almost every aspect of your life. Here are some tips on how to go about it through green home remodeling and everyday lifestyle choices.
Energy efficiency in the home: Any green home remodeling project should implement plans to make your home more energy efficient. Measures include adding insulation, replacing windows and doors, purchasing an efficient water heater, and upgrading your heating and air conditioning systems.
Energy saving appliances: Exclusive use of Energy-Star certified appliances conserves energy, water, saves money and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Start with your refrigerator, which is often the biggest energy user in the house. Consider purchasing Energy Star-qualified versions of dishwashers, washing machines, and televisions.
Sustainable materials: Choose sustainable materials like cork or bamboo flooring, furniture made from sustainable wood, and recycled glass tile or countertops. Also consider how you can recycle materials like used doors or old furniture.
Turning on: There are many ways to reduce your electric lighting costs. If you’re planning to remodel a green home, include plenty of windows and skylights to reduce your need for electric light. Choose energy-efficient lighting fixtures and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Look out for LED lights, which have just hit the market in full force. Although they are more expensive, LED lights use very little electricity. Each reportedly can last up to 20 years without changing the bulb.
composting: Build a composting area into your exterior design. When you compost table scraps, you reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills. Many gardeners also like compost to use as a high-quality free fertilizer.
Transportation: Carpool or take public transportation; ride your bike; Reduce or combine car trips when possible. Think about how your purchasing choices impact transportation. By buying local produce and other products, you lessen the environmental impact of transporting those products to your home.