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How to Increase Your Home’s Resale Value While Staying Eco-Friendly

April 20, 2021 2

When you want to improve the value of your home, making eco-friendly upgrades will increase the value and provide you with a healthier environment for family and friends. Below are some ideas to consider to help improve the resale value of your home.

Figure What Is In Your Budget

Figure out what is in your budget before you begin to remodel. Homeowners often spend between 5,000 to 10,000 dollars to make changes to their homes. This was the standard amount spent in 2018 by consumers. Even if you do not have thousands to spend you can make small improvements that will improve the sustainability of your home. Try to decide what you want to improve before tackling the project Do you want to install energy-efficient appliances, add a tank-less water heater, paint the inside walls with eco-friendly paint made from natural materials, landscaping, and energy-efficient exterior doors. For major upgrades, you should contact local contractors that specialize in eco-friendly remodeling and installation.

Install Energy-Efficient Exterior Doors

Replacing outdated exterior doors on the house will save you money on your energy bills. The doors that you enter or exit the house should be energy efficient. This can save you 10% on your heating and cooling bills. Energy-efficient outer doors made from fiberglass save the most energy. Fiberglass looks like real wood and is designed for cold climates and humidity. Steel doors are stronger and wear well in dry climates. Unless you are handy, it is better to hire a contractor to install them. Steel doors can be insulated to retain heat and stay cooler in the warm weather. Double glass panes are often installed to reduce heat flow and magnetic strips reduce leakage of air in the house.

Make Your Landscaping Eco-friendly

Investing in hiring a landscaper improves the value of your home. If you are an experienced gardener, you can do the work yourself. Native plants from a local garden center grow better and use less water. Invest in planting native flowers, herbs, and vegetables in a small rain garden. A rain garden collects runoff water from your yard. Rain gardens attract butterflies and reduce soil erosion. Planting native trees and shrubs can help with cooling your home in the summer. Installing a drip irrigation system to water plants in the yard and lawn will cut the water bill by 50 percent.

Permeable pavers instead of concrete driveways and walkways allow water to go into the ground. Reusing stones and bricks for borders and wall counts are considered eco-friendly landscaping too. You should reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Test the soil it may just need organic compost that you can buy and the organic pesticide that uses natural substances and have a lower level of chemicals. Over 60% of potential home buyers say a well-landscaped property is one of the things they look for in a home.

Install A Tankless Water Heater

The benefit of installing a tankless water heater is it only will use water when you need it. It can save you 30 to 50 percent on fuel costs. This device works when you turn on the tap and sensors detect water coming into the heater that has to be heated. They range in price from about $200 to $2,000 depending on the size and are gas-fired or electric. They should be installed by a professional. The benefits are they produce instant hot water, some are Wi-Fi compatible, and in time save money on water and fuels. They are compact about the size of a suitcase and hang on the wall.

Upgrade to Green Appliances

Consider buying energy-efficient appliances when you replace older models. They are refrigerators, dishwashers, air conditioners, stoves, washers, and dryers. These Energy Star appliances will save you on water and electricity. They reduce pollution and create sustainability in the home. When you buy an energy-efficient dishwasher it uses less water and reduces your water bill by 25%. An Energy Star refrigerator will decrease your electric bill. Refrigerators are an appliance that uses more electricity than others appliances. Energy Star is a label that appliances get when they meet government regulations for energy efficiency and reducing the use of water and electricity. They can reduce utilities by about 30% in the home. A minor kitchen remodel will have an 82.7% return on your investment.

These are some ways to make the eco-friendly upgrade to your home for a healthier home environment.

Tips For Building an Eco-Friendly Home

March 19, 2021 2

Creating a residential place for your family does not necessarily aim so much at perfection but authenticity. With the current transformation and changes that have taken place in the global climate, individuals who wish to build a home should ensure the houses constructed do not make our environment worse. Moreover, embracing a natural lifestyle is very beneficial to the human body, spirit, and mind.

What is an Eco-Friendly Home?

Eco-friendly homes are those built using materials and technologies that do not harm the environment further. For instance, a home that relies on wind and solar energy falls into this category. The current trend is taking a positive turn, where we have seen many people going for environmentally-friendly houses. However, some lack the knowledge to create such buildings. This detailed article will inform you about the best ways to build an eco-friendly home, whether you are constructing from scratch or renovating an old one.

Choose Timeless Finishes

vYou don’t have to feel limited when it comes to the finish you apply to your home. You can use outstanding finishes without sacrificing the house’s aesthetics. Years back, people looked forward to warm and welcoming spaces. However, today, to achieve environmentally-friendly abodes, it is recommendable to yearn for safe spaces conscious of our lives on earth.

When it comes to the interior décor, choosing colors, styles, and designs that do not require regular changing is a wise idea. The finishes should have permanence for you. For instance, using a matte black tapware finish on your kitchen cabinets can help them last up to 50 years. Therefore, do not look at how classic the finish is as long as it is timeless to you and it will serve you for years to come.

Make Sure Everything is Built to Last

Choosing sustainable materials for your construction is not an option if you want to achieve an environmentally-responsible home. Besides the aesthetic appeal, cost and life cycle are the other considerations to make when choosing the materials. Additionally, consider how easy it is to reuse or recycle the material. If you cannot reuse it, then disposing of that material in the future should not negatively affect the environment.

Many factors dictate the durability of a particular material. If you plan on having an underground tank, for instance, you should know that its construction, installation, soil conditions, and maintenance affect its lifespan. However, it can typically last for 20 years or more. Besides sustainability and cost reduction, having suitable construction materials reduces your exposure to life-threatening organic compounds and pollutants significantly. Some wall coverings, paints, and carpeting release toxic compounds that tamper with the air quality inside a house.

Considering the many hours you will be spending at home, it is advisable to minimize toxins’ exposure by getting healthier material alternatives. Using construction materials sustainably means their present use will not interfere with future use by affecting the environment or running out. Very few materials meet this requirement, and they are the ones you should get if you want an eco-friendly home.

Focus on Smaller Projects to Be Green and On-Budget

Small houses are not only eco-friendly but also cost-effective. Besides occupying a small footprint, a smaller home can save you a lot on the materials required and the energy consumed to warm or cool it down. In 2018, a report showed that the average monthly housing cost was $1,566. That shows the more extensive the home, the more money you spend on it. Statistics show that the average number [of people in an American home has gone down from 3.8 to 2.6, yet the home sizes have ballooned over time.

People need to understand that these improper size-to-occupant ratios are bringing additional issues to our environment. If we desire to achieve green projects, we should be ready to adhere to a more solid square-footage-per-individual code. However, we also need to shift our focus from total house size to proper usage of resources and quality green projects.

5 Sustainable Exterior Features That Make Your Home Safer

March 8, 2021 0

On the topic of your garden, you will want to make it noisy to prevent intruders from slipping into your home without making a noise. Home security is often about giving thieves plenty of reasons not to bother breaking in. Simple steps such as a noisy gravel driveway and motion-triggered lighting in your front garden can make thieves think twice before getting any closer. This can also help to alert tenants if someone is approaching the home while they’re inside. You could also increase the number of plants or eco-features you have to make your home look busy and like the homeowners are always there. Overgrown trees, plants, and other lawn and garden features give these people the perfect hiding places to monitor your home and eventually break-in. Trimming back trees and bushes and regularly cutting the grass that surrounds a property will make it less likely that your home will become a target, and improve your peace of mind.

Solar-powered lights

Your home’s external structure and features are the most effective for keeping your home safe in any weather. No matter if you live in a country with a mild climate or somewhere with extreme weather, it is always good to be prepared. For those who are often concerned about the safety of their home, it is time to install some sustainable features that make your home safer. Here are five ideas every home can utilize. 

Metal rain gutters

Rain gutters are often made from plastic. Instead, you can spend a little more and get a sustainable material that will also last a lot longer. You could think of rain gutters working in a similar way to internal plumbing. They help regulate the water. Instead, they regulate and keep your roof free from rainwater and snow. Replacing your gutters can be an unfortunate expense, but it can provide an environmental opportunity because the way you handle your roof’s water is important. Consider linking your gutters to a “rooftop catchment system” that captures rainwater in a cistern or rain barrels and can then be used to water non-edible plantings.

Install new windows

The majority of criminals break into a property through doors and windows. Thus, new and secure openings are key. All windows should be fitted with locks that can be operated from the inside, particularly on the ground and first floor. It’s also important to make sure you close and lock any windows when you are going out, especially in the summer when windows are often left open throughout the day. For sustainable windows, choose double glazing. Double glazed windows help regulate heat and lower the need for heating or airconditioning. Double glazed windows enhance your home’s safety as well as make it more energy-efficient. 

Get your garden secure

If you have an open garden, front and/or back, you may want to think about heightening its security features. A locked fence can keep out intruders. A recycled metal or wooden fence is the best option for a sustainable home. A locked gate may be easy to climb over but it’s hard to do so without drawing unwanted attention. If someone’s having to clamber into your garden, they’re probably not supposed to be there. Sheds and garages are full of tools, vehicles, and other valuables – some of which can be used to gain access to your home

Any doors which can’t be locked using a key should be secured using a bulky padlock and all keys should be kept in the house. Landlords should work with their tenants to make sure they understand the potential risks and how to keep their garden secure.

Create a noisy garden 

Installing proper lighting systems inside and outside a home acts as a powerful deterrent and most burglars will avoid homes that are always well lit. You have a wide range of security lighting systems to choose from. Some are controlled by timers while others are activated when they detect motion inside and outside your home. If the light is always on or comes on with movement, intruders are much less likely to interfere with your home.

There are many sustainable ways to heighten your home’s safety and security through external features. It could be as simple as installing a new rain gutter to prevent water buildup, which will enhance its structural safety. Or, install new lights that detect motion and scare off potential intruders.

5 Eco-Friendly Plumbing Tips For a Greener Home

March 2, 2021 0

When temperatures drop, your chief concern as a homeowner might be to make sure your pipes don’t freeze. While the plumbing industry made more than $107 billion in revenue during 2018, you’ll probably want to avoid paying top dollar for a plumbing emergency this winter. But aside from insulating your plumbing to prevent a burst pipe, there may be other ways to save money in this realm. And in many cases, the cost-saving choice is also the sustainable choice.

Despite the fact that nearly half of American homeowners live in the first home they ever purchased, there are a number of ways to upgrade your home’s plumbing system to prioritize environmental responsibility. If you’re looking to lead a greener lifestyle by reducing water waste and save some green in the process, here are just five ideas that will help you create a more eco-friendly plumbing system at home.

Install Low-Flow and High-Efficiency Appliances

It’s amazing what a few household upgrades can do when you want to reduce water waste. Low-flow toilets and showerheads can reduce how much water is used during daily activities without sacrificing performance. You might also consider installing a high-efficiency faucet, which reduces water flow while maintaining pressure, or high-efficiency dishwashers and washing machines. These options are better for the environment (and for your water bill!), though you’ll probably never notice a difference when you’re using them.

Consider a Tankless Water Heater

Your home’s water heater performs a vital function, but relying on an outdated model can be expensive and wasteful. If you want to prioritize energy efficiency and make sure you aren’t heating water you don’t actually need to heat, you may want to switch to a demand-style heater or a tankless water heater, which tend to be more efficient and can save a lot of space in your home. If you plan on selling your house down the line, these water heaters can add some value to your property, as well.

Opt For Energy-Efficient Pipes

If you own an older home, chances are that your home’s plumbing is on the older side, too. Switching to steel or PEX pipes will naturally retain heat and can allow you to reduce the amount you spend on heating your water. But if you’re sticking with plastic or copper pipes, you may want to insulate them for the sake of energy efficiency. This is a good idea in the winter anyway, but it can actually help you save money and reduce energy waste year-round.

Be Careful About What You Flush

While this doesn’t involve any equipment upgrades, adopting this habit can prevent you from ruining your plumbing system and spending money on expensive repairs or replacement while prioritizing the protection of your local water system. Even if you think certain household products — like sanitizing wipes or cotton balls — are technically flushable, that doesn’t mean they should go down the drain. These products often won’t break down and can actually clog your toilet. Worse yet, they can end up in the water supply. Make it a point to use biodegradable or compostable products whenever possible to avoid this scenario and reduce waste altogether.

Cut Down on Water Use

Hydration and access to clean water is a must, considering that 71% of Americans drink tap water (and no one wants you to get dehydrated!). However, you might want to take some steps to reduce the amount of water you’re unknowingly consuming. For example, taking a shorter shower or limiting the number of times you shower each week can help your family be more eco-friendly. You can also remember to shut off the faucet when you’re brushing your teeth or when you’re washing the dishes. You’re most likely wasting a ton of water without realizing it, which might also mean you’re paying to heat that water. By reducing the amount of water you unintentionally waste, you’ll inherently have a more eco-friendly home.

No matter the season, there’s always a reason to be conscious of our water usage. With these tips in mind, you can curb wasteful habits and save all kinds of resources.

Can You Make Your Home Eco In One Week?

February 3, 2021 0

When trying to stay afloat with our finances it is super important to be conscious about the energy we use at home every day. Saving energy is important not only for our finances but for the planet, and today we want to talk about some of the simple ways you can save energy at home today. 

Let in natural light 

One of the simple ways to make your home more green is to invest in natural light. If you currently have small windows that don’t let a lot of light penetrate the home during the day this might mean that you are more likely to turn on the lights and waste energy. Instead, consider investing in bigger windows and even some more windows around the house to maximise the light you get into your home. Not only will it save money but it will make your home feel bigger and more spacious. 

Get rid of unneeded appliances 

It is important not to have a load of appliances hanging around the house that you won’t use. Don’t crowd the home with tech that you don’t need and this will help you reduce the energy you use every day. It is all too easy for you to get used to plugging everything in around the house and this can waste a lot of energy and cost you a huge amount of money. 

Turn off the tap 

The first simple change in habit you can implement into your life is to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Water costs a pretty penny and it takes a lot of energy to bring water to your home and into your taps. It is important not to run your taps when you don’t need to because this will make a massive impact on the energy you use as well as your water bill at the end of the month. 

Switch off the lights 

Another way you can change the energy you use at home is by choosing different lights throughout the home. Energy companies can recommend different lights such as Olympia Lighting for you to install at home that are more efficient and energy saving. Switching to LED lights for example could save you a lot of money and will use much less energy so is better for the environment. 

Insulate the walls 

One of the important things to consider when you want to keep the house warm and decrease your energy usage each year is insulation. Insulating the walls is a crucial step in your journey because it will lock in the warm air in your home when you turn on the heating, and as a result you are less likely to keep having to switch on the heating. 

Use these simple tips and tricks to help you save some money in the house this year as well as make it more energy efficient. There’s no need to spend a pretty penny and use too much energy when you are savvy! 

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