How to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly
According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 61% said their clients are interested in sustainability and would like these features in their new homes. And why not? It saves the homeowner money in utility bills, water charges, etc., while helping keep the environment healthy. Here are 14 tips in this regard for folks who plan to purchase or renovate a home.
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Proper insulation is imperative. It’s important to air seal the home by caulking gaps around windows and doors. Also important is improving wall and basement insulation.
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Any home built before 1990 should have an updated cooling and heating system. A smart thermostat, for example, is important to save on electric bills.
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Green roofs and drip irrigation are money and environment savers. Shade trees are another good idea which helps keep the home from heating up in warmer climates and in summer months.
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Of late, there have been steep decreases in costs to install solar panels. Also, there are still federal solar tax credits. Additionally, the efficiency of solar is increasing as technology advances. The downside to solar roofs is that many people find them unattractive. An alternative is traditional shingle roofs. In this case homeowners should use light colored shingles that retain less heat.
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In terms of lighting, LEDs are the best choice. Newer LEDs use up to 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.
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Some states offer tax benefits to homeowners and builders who use recycled materials in construction.
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When hiring a contractor for a home renovation, be sure to determine if the firm is skilled in sustainable design.
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Buy only Energy Star rated appliances. This will save a considerable amount of money on utility bills each month.
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According to Thespruce.com, use only low or no VOC compound paints (volatile organic compounds). These paints don’t give off as much gas as traditional paints. Some brands that offer no VOC paints are AFM Safecoat, Behr, Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin Williams. Big advantages to no VOC paints are that they give off very little odor, dry quickly, and offer a durable finish.
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Install exterior lights that have motion-activated sensors.
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Another idea is to collect rainwater in cisterns to reuse in your garden.
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Try to have toilets and showerheads that are low flow.
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Washing clothes in cold water is another money-saver and good for the environment, as well. Many clothing brands indicate on labels to wash in cold water.
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Clean or change furnace filters frequently.
This is just a small sampling of the many steps homeowners and homebuyers can take to save money while helping to improve the environment.