Many people have improved their homes during the pandemic. Some homeowners focused on simply enhancing the curb appeal of their homes. On the other hand, environment-conscious homeowners took into account the effect of the changes on the environment.
There are several ways homeowners can spruce up their sanctuaries with the environment in mind.
Work on the Landscaping
Homeowners who want to increase their home’s property value can work on the landscaping of the property. Aside from improving its curb appeal, strategically planting shrubs can help the environment by reducing the house’s cooling costs.
Homeowners can also enhance the property by planting colorful flowers, such as chrysanthemums, marigolds, and lavender. They can also use eco-friendly fertilizers to ensure their plants will thrive without harming the environment. The plants can also prevent soil erosion, and organic material that falls from the plants can replenish the nutrients in the soil.
Additionally, homeowners can also start a garden in their backyard to reduce their carbon footprint. They can plant vegetables to reduce the need to buy these essentials at the grocery. Gardening can also help improve the homeowner’s immune system and is also good for their mental health.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
While replacing all appliances with energy-efficient models, homeowners can do it gradually. These appliances are long-term investments and help protect the environment. For instance, efficient washers allow homeowners to reduce their water usage while eco-friendly refrigerators reduce energy usage.
Homeowners can also hire professionals to conduct an energy audit before getting new appliances. This allows them to know the difference energy-efficient appliances make on their energy consumption. They should also improve the home’s insulation and fix window seals to prevent warm air from going out of the home during winter.
These energy-efficient appliances reduce the carbon footprint of the household. They also allow the homeowners to save on utility expenses.
Use the Sun
The sun is a good source of energy for households, so homeowners should take advantage of it. They can install solar panels on the home so that they can use the power of the sun to provide for the electricity needs of the home. These devices allow homeowners to reduce their dependence on other sources of power.
Aside from reducing dependence on fossil fuels for their electricity needs, the home’s property value will also increase since potential buyers normally pay premium prices for these types of features in a home.
Homeowners can also earn federal and state tax credits that can offset the cost of installing the system on the home. These tax credits are available for homes that use solar power for their homes.
Use Recycled Materials
When homeowners want to increase the area of their homes, they can use recycled materials. Recycled materials reduce the need to cut trees for building materials. If recycled materials are not available, homeowners can use pre-fabricated materials.
Pre-fabricated materials are ideal for standalone structures in the property. For instance, if homeowners want to put up a shed in the backyard, they can use pre-fabricated materials that are durable and environment-friendly. Additionally, these materials can also be energy-efficient, which means they have minimal effects on the home’s heating and cooling requirements.
Replace Old Lighting Fixtures
If the home still uses old lighting fixtures, homeowners can change them to LED lights since these use less electricity. They also emit less heat compared to traditional light bulbs. When the home uses many traditional light bulbs, the house will heat up since these incandescent light bulbs emit 90 percent of their energy as heat. This means the air conditioner will work harder during summer.
On the other hand, LED lights normally use 75 percent less energy and can last up to 25 times more than traditional incandescent bulbs. They also emit less heat compared to older lighting fixtures.
Use Non-Toxic Carpeting
Homeowners who want to add to their homes’ appeal can use non-toxic carpeting to enhance the floor. These types of carpets act as temperature regulators. They have better insulation compared to other types of carpeting. It allows the home to have a consistent temperature during winter and summer. This translates to lower energy usage and a reduction in energy bills.
When homeowners look for a good carpet to use in the house, they should check if the carpet is eco-friendly and all-natural. They can normally see this on the label of the carpet. Natural fibers are also safe for the environment since they do not emit chemical fumes on carpeting manufactured using traditional methods.
Sprucing up a home makes it look better and allows homeowners to make it more eco-friendly.
