Green Living Home Improvement Projects
Many homeowners are choosing to live a greener life, and are finding ways to perform home improvement projects that can decrease the amount of energy consumed every year. There are proven home improvement projects that are essential to green living. They can help the homeowner save money, using energy-efficient solutions while helping to save the planet.
Through proper material selection, including recyclable and renewable options, there are many ways to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the home using green solutions. This can be anything from changing out an old incandescent bulb, with a new LED bulb that is known to produce the same amount of light for a reduced amount of cost.
Another option is changing out the traditional showerhead, for one that restricts the water flow. They can save thousands of gallons of water every year, while still providing quality baths and showers. The idea of living a green life is often taken in small steps, where minimal changes are made one step at a time.
Recycled Furniture
Many homeowners are choosing to go green by purchasing recycled furniture. They can pick up outdated, or worn out dining room tables, sofas, and chairs. With simple products found at the local home improvement store, they can easily transform these ugly, outdated furniture items into beautiful pieces of art that fit perfectly within the home.
Eco-Friendly Paint
Many homeowners are choosing to use eco-friendly paint that reduces the amount of airborne fumes during the painting process, and lasting until the paint cures. Every major home improvement retail center offers a wide assortment of eco-friendly paints that can be blended into any color in the rainbow.
Reducing the Carbon Footprint
The easiest way to reduce the family’s carbon footprint is to maximize the energy efficiency of the home. This can be accomplished by adding weather stripping around all windows and doors, and plugging up any drafty open holes in the house, attic or basement. In addition, changing out the existing HVAC system for a new energy-efficient one can reduce the amount of electricity required to heat and cool the home.
Many homeowners are also choosing to install solar panels on the roof of their home, as a way to generate their own electricity. This helps maximize the energy efficiency of the home, and minimizes their dependency on burning fossil fuels to generate heat and cooling.
Green Style Landscaping
By planting the right kinds of trees and shrubs around the home, it is easy to block out the heat of the summer sun, and minimize the amount of air conditioning required to cool the home. Heavy shrubs and high foliage trees positioned properly in the landscaping can dramatically enhance the beauty of the exterior of the home, while protecting the house from the harsh rays of the sun.
These few green living home improvement projects can save money, reduce energy costs, and help save the planet. Each one is affordable, and easy to perform. It is beneficial if every member of the family gets involved in living a greener life.
