Home renovations can be quite a task, but provides an excellent opportunity to green your living space. Adding green to renovation projects requires a careful balancing act to meet the environmental goals you are trying to achieve while dealing with aesthetics, product availability and budget constraints. Although most would like to do a complete green renovation, the homeowner has some major planning to do before they begin.
America has a vast range of climates and landscapes that require different designs and materials to obtain our green goal. To obtain your goal, here are several options to make your home greener without having to do a complete renovation.
Sealing Gaps – Older homes tend to have gaps around doors and windows that allow the A/C or heat (depending on the time of year) to escape. By applying weather stripping to these gaps, you can save up to 10 percent on your bill.
Leaks – Having a leaky toilet and faucet may not seem like a big deal, but a constant drip can cause a waste of water. Depending on the size of the leak, some homes waste 90 gallons or more per day. It is essential to get these fixed when noticed.
Hot Water – Hot water heaters use gas or electricity to heat the water in a large tank at all times. Making sure the take is insulated properly and turning down a few degrees can save you a lot of energy. You could take this a step further with getting a tankless water heater. Not only are they more efficient, but they are more durable. Lasting twice as long as traditional ones that go to the landfill every 12-15 years.
Solar Panels – Solar panels are an excellent way to make your home more green. The average cost of the equipment and installation can be $15,000 and up. While this may seem like a lot, the panels will pay for themselves over time. To top it off, there are many tax rebates and incentive programs for using solar panels.