6 Upgrades to Make Your Home Better for the Environment

Perhaps you’re environmentally conscious or trying to create lower energy bills for your household. Either way, you can benefit by making eco-friendly upgrades to your home! There are some easy and affordable ways to make your home safer for the environment while saving yourself money.

Here is a list of the top 6 ways to make your home more eco-friendly.

1. Solar Panels

A local solar home installation could help you save a great deal of money on your monthly electric bill because you would get most of your power from natural sunlight. Across the nation, more homeowners than ever before are investing in solar panels for their homes to save money, energy, and the planet. Not to mention that you could also receive a federal tax credit. So, it’s an all-around win!

2. Energy Efficient Appliances

Your appliances use a lot of power, especially if they run 24/7 (like your refrigerator). Many old and outdated appliances usually use more power than newer appliances. However, if you purchase a new appliance, make sure that you check to see how much power and water it uses before committing to buy it. Search for Energy Star and energy guide labels to help you decide. For instance, some washer machines are designed to use much less water and energy than others.

3. Eco-Friendly Ceiling Fans

Eco-friendly ceiling fans can reduce your air conditioner’s energy consumption by keeping your home cooler during the warmer seasons. There are many styles, sizes, and colors to match your decor. Ceiling fans are also inexpensive to purchase and have installed.

4. LED Light Bulbs

LED light bulbs are affordable and easy to install. Most stores sell them in different shapes and sizes, so picking some up for your house won’t be hard. These bulbs use much less power than traditional ones, so you can expect a cheaper power bill! If you have the extra dough lying around, you could also invest in light dimmer switches to save energy. As a bonus, light dimmers can create various moods in your household!

5. Eco-Friendly Windows

Many people don’t realize how much air escapes from old, outdated windows. According to the U.S. Department of Energy,  25%- 30% of residential heating and cooling energy consumption is attributed to heat gain and loss via windows. Installing new eco-friendly windows could save you thousands of dollars annually. If this is too expensive for you to do at the moment, then you could find air leaks in existing windows and seal them up to prevent air from escaping to the outdoors. There are several ways to seal these gaps. For instance, you could caulk them or use weather strips.

6. Window Coverings

Another great option for stopping air leaks could be to purchase new, more eco-friendly window coverings. Today, many stores carry energy-saving blinds, curtains, and drapes that keep out heat, cold air, and sunlight. These window coverings come in various colors, styles, and materials, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from in-store and online. For example, black-out curtains can keep a room nice and cool even during the hottest, sunniest days. It’s a less costly alternative to installing new energy-efficient windows.

Conclusion

Hopefully, these 6 top green upgrades will help you make your home better for the environment. Whether you have a large or small budget, there are many things you could do to cut down on electricity consumption. You’ll feel good about yourself and save money and energy while making your house look fabulous. It doesn’t get any better than that!