If you’re like most people, you’re looking for ways to save money so you can enjoy life how you want. Maybe you’re even planning on moving to a warmer climate in the near future. Whatever your reasoning may be, you’re in the right place! We’ve got just the guide for you. Below, you’ll learn about ways to build an air tight, energy efficient home that’s better for the wallet and the environment.
The Economics Of A More Eco-friendly Home
Are you interested in saving money while also being eco-friendly? You’re in luck because we’ve got just the guide for you! To begin with, you’ll want to look into green home building because it can help you save a lot of money while also being eco-friendly. Building green means making significant changes to your home such as installing energy efficient appliances and lighting as well as using materials that are eco-friendly or eco-affordable. This can help you to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills too.
For example, if you install a high-efficiency air compressor, you won’t have to run your air conditioner as often. This alone can save you money in the long run. Also, if you’re using only energy efficient appliances and lighting, you won’t have to run your air conditioner as often either. Naturally, this reduces your energy bills too. Finally, if you’re going green, you might not have the budget for expensive upgrades so you’ll have to choose accessories and materials wisely. This could mean choosing low-cost options for material replacements such as bamboo flooring or concrete instead of marble or hardwood floors for example.
A More Eco-friendly Floor Plan
An eco-friendly floor plan can help you save a ton of money while also being eco-friendly. A floor plan is simply the layout and design of your home’s interior. Typically, eco-friendly floor plans are laid out so the rooms are connected and open to each other so there’s no dividing walls or closed-off spaces. Another key feature of an eco-friendly floor plan is how the rooms are arranged so not a lot of space is wasted.
For example, if you have a lot of space above your kitchen countertop, you might opt to have a loft-type area built where you can store your furniture and other large items. If you don’t have the room, you might want to build an attic space or storage shed so you can keep all of your valuable things safely.
Eco-Friendly Appliances
Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, and water heaters are big energy eaters so it’s best to choose green appliances when possible. If you’re interested in saving money while also being eco-friendly, it’s best to go for energy efficient appliances because they can help you save a lot of energy overall. This, in turn, can help you lower your energy bills and be more eco-friendly. Consider looking into refrigerators and freezers that use only a third of the energy of a traditional one. The same goes for water heaters too. If your home’s appliances are old or inefficient, it’s time for an upgrade. Be sure to research the best way to dispose of old appliances responsibly so you don’t add to the toxic load in the landfill.
Consider Biking To Work
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to get around, consider biking to work. This can help you reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills too. Also, if you live in a warmer climate, biking can also be good for your health. It’s not just about the environment either; it’s about having more control over your health too!
Reduce Food Waste
Reducing food waste is one of the best ways to save money while also being eco-friendly. Unfortunately, a lot of people throw away perfectly good food because they didn’t have the best storage options or the kitchen space was too small. This, in turn, contributes to the escalating food waste problem. Luckily, there are solutions such as freezer containers so you can store food in the most efficient way possible and reduce your food waste. Also, using meal prep containers can help you cook only what you need and serve it in a time efficient manner. This can help you save both money and time so you can focus on living your life and not wasting any.
Eco-friendly Materials
Plastic food containers are one of the worst offenders when it comes to food waste. This is mainly because they are not biodegradable and eventually, they’ll end up in a landfill. Instead of buying plastic food containers, choose products made from plant-based materials such as bamboo or paper. Not only are these materials biodegradable, but they’re also more sustainable in general.
Also, look into purchasing items made from recycled materials whenever possible because more and more companies are taking an interest in sustainable materials. This is especially the case with flooring because more and more people are opting for carpeting with a wooden floor underneath. When choosing carpets for your home, make sure to purchase ones that are organic and made from renewable sources such as bamboo or jute. If you really need to save money while also being eco-friendly, consider using flooring that’s recycled from plastic bags or coffee cups. This can help you reduce your carbon footprint too!
Eco-Friendly Lighting
Lighting such as ceiling lights, ambient lights, and table lamps are other big energy eaters so it’s best to choose green lighting when possible. This is mainly because they are more efficient and, in some cases, they can also light up a room more brightly. If your home’s lighting is not energy efficient enough, it’s time for an upgrade. Be sure to research the best way to dispose of old lighting responsibly so you don’t add to the toxic load in the landfill. If you’re looking for more light, choose LED light bulbs because they’re more efficient and bright too! Finally, if you’re interested in saving money while also being eco-friendly, go for fluorescent lighting because it’s more eco-friendly and cost-efficient.
Consider Going Solar
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to generate your own electricity, consider going solar. This can be a great option because it frees you from relying on the grid and saves you money in the long run. To be able to go solar, you’ll need to have at least 5000 square feet of roof space. Going solar can also help you reduce your carbon footprint. If you don’t have the sunniest of sunny days, your power generation will be a little less than you’d expect. This is why it’s important to look into your area’s weather so you can plan your solar installation accordingly.
Eco-friendly Design
Finally, consider looking into eco-friendly design for your home renovations because it can help you save a lot of money while also being eco-friendly. This simply means utilizing materials that are eco-friendly or recycled as much as possible and using energy efficient appliances and lighting too. If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to go green, building a green home can be a good option. Just remember to make the most of what you’ve got and don’t judge a book by its cover because there’s usually more than one way to skin a cat.