Rising energy costs and the call for sustainable living are making people rethink their day-to-day choices. Nowadays, more individuals are looking for environmentally friendly products when shopping for food or personal products. Moreover, homeowners are also thinking about eco-friendly changes to their houses to reduce their carbon footprint. According to a recent survey, almost a quarter of all adults between the ages of 25 and 40 are willing to pay more for sustainable features in their home. Adding solar panels to one’s home is one of the most effective ways to lower one’s impact on the environment, but this can be quite costly and time consuming. The good news is there are other ways to make your home a lot greener. By incorporating certain design elements, you can make your home more energy efficient, and better for the planet.
Replace Your Windows
Apart from improving your home’s aesthetics, replacement windows can help to make your house more eco-friendly in different ways. For instance, switching to larger windows can let a lot of natural light in so you won’t have to turn on any additional lights during the daytime. Also, since new window models are fairly low maintenance, you won’t have to spend time covering them with protective film to keep them clear and looking new. All your windows will need is a quick wipedown or a wash every now and then to make them sparkle. Best of all, new windows provide better insulation to reduce the heat that comes through the glass. This means that you’ll be using your air conditioner less frequently, which can save you money in the long run.
Use LED Bulbs
Changing your lighting is one of the simplest ways to make your home more energy efficient. Start by swapping out conventional bulbs for LED bulbs. According to the Department of Energy, LED bulbs last up to 25% longer and use up about 90% less energy than ordinary incandescent bulbs. Though these cost a little more than regular light bulbs, investing in LED bulbs is a smart choice since it’ll take years before you’ll need to replace them. Also, the savings that you get on your energy bills will be worth the price of paying for a couple of new sustainable bulbs. You may also want to install dimmer switches in frequently used rooms such as the living room, bathroom, and bedroom so you can reduce the amount of light that your light fixtures give off.
Pick the Right Paint Colors
That moody grey, deep blue, or woody brown paint color may look stunning on your walls, but using dark colors like these means that you may be consuming more energy than you should in your home. Dark colors make a room appear smaller, and it makes a home look and feel gloomy. Those who use dark colors in their home may find that they have to constantly turn on a couple of lights even in the daytime to brighten up their space. But instead of doing that, consider painting your walls in a light color, such as ivory, white, or cream. These colors reflect more light so your home looks well-lit, and it can help to keep your home naturally cool. If you need a little color, choose to have it in your decorative items to keep your interior looking fresh without adding to your energy consumption.
Apart from these tips, there are other small things that you can do to have an energy efficient home, such as adding plants to your indoor spaces and strategically using floor coverings to make your home feel cooler or warmer. Doing all of these can help you conserve energy, and enables you to have a green home without spending tons of money on sustainable renovations.
