Green Home Improvement Investments.

If you are lately planning to make some practical home improvements, then green is the way to go! Even if making changes to your home is at the end of your to-do list, consider adding green home improvements to the top of the list. By implementing some eco-friendly changes in your home, you will not just make your home more comfortable but also increase your savings in the long run.

Energy-efficient, eco-friendly home features are in high demand in the construction industry. Changes like these help to save money over time and add more value to your home. Competing with new homes and trends on the market can be tough, but you can make your home up-to-date at least with the latest green technology. We bring you several great ways to help you with turning your house into a more eco-friendly one.

 
1. The Right Lighting
 

Changing the lighting in your home is a straightforward, inexpensive task that is easy to do by yourself. Replace the old light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs or LED bulbs and your home will already become more energy-efficient. If you want to take it a step further, you can even install smart lights which will allow you to have ultimate control over the lighting conditions and their energy usage.

 
2. Windows
 

Energy-star rated windows with high efficiency will help you lower your energy bills by keeping air from escaping and coming in. With the right windows, you can expect to reduce your energy bill by as much as 12 percent. Windows like these help to keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. That means that less energy will be needed to operate the HVAC system.

 
3. Front Doors
 

Just like your windows, the front door can also become energy-efficient. For example, old, wooden doors are less energy-efficient and can be replaced with secure steel doors. Not only will your new front door be more eco-friendly, but the upgrade will add to the homes curb appeal which is a great way to attract potential buyers if you plan to sell your house in the future.

 
4. Insulation
 

By sealing the air leaks in your home, you will be reducing the need for heating and cooling which leads to a lower annual energy bill. Your energy bill can decrease by 10 percent if your home is adequately insulated in the right areas. Insulation can be placed in the attic and basement, and further installations can even be made throughout the house in the walls and floors.

Insulating your home is the first step to improve the energy-efficiency of your house. However, you should keep in mind that air leaks can decrease the effectiveness of added insulation. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that weather stripping gets added to windows and doors, and caulking is done where air might leak through holes in the walls. The best way to ensure the utmost energy-efficiency with insulation is to combine these installments.

 
5. Landscaping
 

Many homeowners see landscaping strictly as a cosmetic appeal, when in fact the right landscaping can add some significant value to your home. Trees will provide shade while the overall landscape which includes scrubs, trees, and flowers will help to keep the rooms cooler during the summer. Nature offers a cooling breeze, so a house with a green landscape is more likely to stay cooler during those hot summer days. This also reduces the use of the home’s cooling system.

 
6. Water Heaters
 

Water heaters should not be used if they’re older than ten years. If it is time to replace yours (which is often the case if you have an old house), consider installing an energy-efficient water heater. For example, a tankless water heater heats only the amount of water that is needed at that specific time. That way you are not consuming energy unnecessarily as the case is when holding gallons of water at a set temperature for hours. These tankless water heaters do not use so much power and can save a lot of money over time.

 
7. More Significant Investments
 

If your roof is old and needs an upgrade, you should consider installing an eco-friendly roofing system. Nowadays, there are plenty of eco-friendly roofing materials available on the market. For instance, cool roofs will help to prevent the temperature rising during the summer. By installing a cool roof or heat absorbing roof, you can significantly cut down your cooling bill.

Another great example of an eco-friendly roof is a living roof which has many green characteristics while bringing a certain charm to your home. If you decide you want to live off the grid, you can install solar panels which will allow your house to generate energy. That also cuts out the use of paid energy resources.

 
Final Thoughts
 

Green home improvements are indeed worth the investment. If your budget does not allow you to do it all at once, it is best to start with the less expensive changes first. As you save money along the way, you can reinvest those savings towards the more significant eco-friendly improvements, providing you with a greener lifestyle and bringing greater value to your home.

Author: Matthew James

Short bio:

Matt James is a freelance writer specialized in home improvement, smart technology, architecture & design. He has a love of outdoors and spending time with his dog Cooper. You can reach him on Facebook and Instagram.

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