8 Sustainable Home Improvements You Can Make In 2023

Appliances for all around the home are now rated from G to A+++++, with the latter being the most energy efficient. Anything in the A – C range is thought to be most environmentally friendly, and most manufacturers are now only building and selling appliances that fall into that category. Suppose you are starting from scratch, building an extension, or doing some major renovation work. In that case, it is the perfect time to consider the materials you are using to build the property. Natural materials are the obvious choice here, with wood being the most sustainable, with excellent insulation properties.

Lighting accounts for about 9 percent of a typical home’s energy use. Put some (or all!) of these easy tips into practice to be friendlier to the planet and your wallet. There are a lot of misconceptions about living an eco-friendly lifestyle, particularly the idea that it’s expensive, inconvenient, and requires a full head of dreadlocks. From recliners to couches https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/best-alcohol-abuse-recovery-diet/ to entertainment centers and patio furniture and everything in between! When deciding any aspect of the design of your new home, do a quick search to see if there are greener alternatives or repurposed products to those you find in the mainstream market. The interior design of your home is pretty important since you spend a crazy amount of hours in there.

Ways to Go Green at Home

If you want the stairs to take up the least amount of space as possible, opt for spiral staircases. If you want to avoid disturbing the light coming through the windows choose modern stairs with spaces between the treads or a floating staircase. If you want to minimize the horizontal footprint of your home take advantage of building vertically. This way you keep as much land around the house as undisturbed as possible. Lofts are a popular option for smaller eco-homes to really get the maximum square footage while still minimizing the impact on the land. Straw is sustainable because it can be harvested and re-planted easily, and made into bales with very minimal environmental impact.

By harnessing renewable energy, you can reduce your reliance on non-renewable sources of energy like coal and oil. To save energy, landlords can also invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems. These appliances require less energy to operate, and therefore save you (and any future tenants or buyers) money on utility bills.

Get serious about water

Other natural materials which are often used when you want a specifically eco-friendly house are bricks, eco-friendly cement or even compacted earth – dependent on what is actually being built with it. There’s just something super convenient about opting for plastic bags at the grocery store. Unfortunately, your convenience is a nuisance to the environment and wildlife. Opt for greener reusable cloth bags or other alternative bags and your home won’t be littered with plastic bags. Just be sure before cleaning you check out how to use natural cleaners when cleaning furniture.

According to Gaddy, you can control the pull-on energy and water supply by simply choosing low-flow fixtures. When it comes to home renovations, there are a ton of things to consider. Aside from the aesthetics, you also need to figure out a budget, timeline, and the team of people who will actually do the work. But these days, there’s something else that should take priority as you plan your reno.

Free Solar Quote

Getting an epoxy garage floor can be cost effective, eco friendly and require less chemicals to clean your garage. There are types of organic Epoxy flooring, formulated with organic resins and natural marble that contain zero solvents. Whenever you notice that there is a recycled option available to buy, it’s worth purchasing it. Not only can you buy recycled paper, but you can also buy recycled technology like mobiles, gaming consoles, even recondition stairlifts from thyssenkrupp.

This way, you reduce carbon dioxide emission but you also keep your clothes in top condition for longer, as hot water can deteriorate the fabric and make your colorful clothes less vibrant. The Energy Star label was created to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants caused by inefficient use of energy and is backed by the U.S. An Energy Star certified dishwasher can save almost 5,000 gallons of water annually. Other Energy Star certified appliances that use from 10% to 50% less energy include washers, dryers, refrigerators, boilers, furnaces, office equipment and electronics. Climate tech company Sealed reports the average home loses up to 50 percent of its heat through the top of the house thanks to under-insulated or unsealed attics. The manufacturers of the Ecobee smart thermostat claim customers save 23 percent on combined heating and cooling costs.

Create your own compost

Harvesting rainwater is a process of collecting and storing rainwater for future use. While it’s one of the centers of the home, it’s also a major area for producing waste. Share and discuss everyday solutions that contribute to solving the environmental problems we face.

• If you miss the softness from drying items in your dryer, remove them from the line when they are nearly dry.
• Landlords and property owners play a huge role in helping to reduce their home’s carbon footprint to help the planet.
• This also keeps your clothes in top condition for longer, as hot water can deteriorate the fabric and make your colorful clothes less vibrant.

Additionally, you can use natural fertilizers and pesticides to maintain a healthy lawn without harming the environment. These small changes can make a big difference in the overall environmental impact of your property. Look for products that are made from natural ingredients and have a minimal impact on the environment. This can also help tenants with allergies or sensitivities to chemicals.

Cutting back on your meat consumption is an important step in reducing the overall emission of GWP gases. But if you have a compost bin in your home, you can use those scraps to make fertilizer for your garden. To make How to make your home more environmentally friendly recycling and composting as easy as possible, make sure to have bins for trash and recycling in more rooms than just the kitchen. Another benefit of LED bulbs that is often overlooked is the amount of heat they emit.

We already touched on solar-powered appliances and lights, but if your home is not a good candidate for solar, Energy Star-certified appliances and lights are a good option. When it comes to flooring and walls, materials like recycled steel or reclaimed wood are a good bet. Sadly, many popular building woods — including mahogany, rosewood and ebony — are irresponsibly sourced from our rainforests. So look for building materials that are certified by the Rainforest Alliance or another credible organization. Still, solar panels are a hefty expense, so you’ll want to be sure that going solar is worth it where you live. Almost all the recent advances in home appliance technology have been geared toward making them more energy efficient.

a sustainable home

Go all out for a rustic look to complement the modern eco-friendly touches, without compromising on style or quality. Because green homes are rapidly becoming mainstream, building an eco-friendly home has never been easier. Whether you are planning to do the work yourself or hire a contractor, see how green you can go with your next home-building or remodeling project. A rain garden helps to filter out the pollutants in the runoff, and it provides food and shelter for butterflies, birds and other wildlife. There’s an advantage for your home too because it helps keep drainage away from the foundation of your home, helping avoid flooding and property damage.