25 Green Home Improvements: Save Money and The Planet

Would you get green home improvements? You better, if you want to save on bills in the coming recession.

Green home improvements and sustainable living.

Get in on the “green living” and sustainability movement. It could pay off very well in the coming years.

If you like money (and the environment?) the use of energy-saving materials in homes can help you save a lot on bills. Green home improvements are improvements that save on costs and utilities, not just lowering your bills in the process but also helping the environment.

Let’s explore the complete range of eco-friendly home improvement options and discover ways to improve your environment and save energy. Learn more about sustainable home improvements, reduce energy bills, save on money and help the planet.

Bonus tip: Get paid by the government to make green home improvements

If you need a reason to save this link, here you go. The US government is willing to pitch in.

The Inflation Reduction Act is widely considered a significant legislation measure that will help American households transition toward achieving clean energy. The bill aims to provide a number of helpful and important rebates to lower & middle-income households. The incentive program helps consumers cut their energy bills as well as increase the affordable price to upgrade homes with more environmentally friendly technology.1.

1. Replace your light bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs can be easily replaced with LED lighting. An LED bulb that’s Energy Star certified can last a maximum of 15 years before saying goodbye and uses 90% less energy compared to an incandescent bulb. LED lighting is a relatively inexpensive lighting solution that can save a household around $200 in monthly electricity. Get smart light controllers that are controlled using a smart app or smartphone to monitor energy usage even while out of town. Another green tip is to upgrade your exterior landscape lighting with lights that run LEDs to reduce your consumption!

Smart lights

Smart home technology continues to evolve. One of the biggest categories is an extensive array of LED lighting options that features scheduling functions that help optimize energy use and reduce environmental impacts on the environment. Buying LED light bulbs can make it easy to switch to traditional lighting. It’s easy to swap the old bulb for a swifter or switch. Most LED light bulbs feature Bluetooth or WiFi communication capabilities and can be operated by your iPhone or iPad.

2. Switch to eco-friendly home heating options

According to Energy Saver, home heating systems in America consume more energy than most other forms of energy. This represents around 45 percent of average electricity bills.

The UK Energy Savings Trust estimates heating accounts for more than 55 percent of energy bills. This makes heating an incredibly important factor in energy costs in the United Kingdom. Upgraded furnaces and boilers can help reduce your energy bills and help with lowering your bills.

3. Start a compost bin

Do food scraps or lawn waste make up more than 30% of your trash? A new research project has found that we can have a significant environmental impact on the US economy by recycling or reducing our waste materials. In a compost bin, you can convert waste into a substance that’s mixed into the soil to encourage plant growth. It is important to protect the soil against the effects of climate change by composting one banana peel or using coffee every day. How can one find a good starting point? I will give you an overview.

4. Harvest rainwater

Rainwater harvesting enables the recycling of rainwater for less municipal water or power supply. It is a sustainable choice, saving valuable materials in the midst of an ongoing shortage. Rainwater harvesting can be used to irrigate the backyard; it might be used indoors for flushing toilets and washing machines, and it’s even possible to meet all the demands of a home with a system where the water is properly filtered and treated. The amount of storage needed depends on the size of the installation.

The products you purchase for furnishing a home or yard also help in making the environment greener. Think sustainable products, eco paint, energy-efficient devices, and electronics. Check Energy Star labels for appliances that meet certain standards for energy efficiency. Look for EnergyGuide labels. In Britain the latest labeling for energy efficiency is the newest, the scale is now replaced by the AA+++ to G. Especially when we look for sustainable kitchen designs. Switch to energy-efficient lights.

Energy Star appliances

Even though energy-star appliances are still on the market around 30 years ago, energy efficiency products continue to be the most effective way to save money and operate a home in an environmentally-friendly manner. EnergyStar is a government-funded label designed for consumers who need information on energy efficiency products that reduce their energy bills. Every product that earned an Energy Star label has a strict standard set by the EPA in terms of energy efficiency.

6. Replace your water heater

Do you need a water-saving program? Old storage water heaters use energy to keep the water heated continuously, even when no water was being used. While tankless heating systems and heating pumps are much less costly to purchase upfront, they are about 7-80% more energy-saving when used as a storage unit and are designed for the storage of energy when needed. Savings are determined by the capacity of your water heater, the available fuel type within the area, and the amount of water used at your home.

Tankless water heaters

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are used by humans as part of a range of products, including paint and a variety of pharmaceutical and refrigeration products. This substance is released into the air with the use of gas and contains carcinogenic chemicals, which is a toxic product that can affect human health for a number of reasons: Nowadays the VOC is most frequently found in old and cheaper products. Also, you should use products that DO NOT use these compounds when building home projects.

8. Focus on your HVAC systems

How much electricity is used when heating your home? Ducted and mini-split AC units offer the most efficient cooling option for a home addition. Innovative technology such as heat pumps for geothermal heating can help in warmer climates and can cool the house. It’s possible to affect the air quality in the house by using an HVAC system that produces pollutants, dust, and other contaminants. The best way to improve your home’s environmental efficiency is to clean your HVAC system regularly.

9. Add ceiling fans

If you want energy-efficient homes, install a ceiling fan. The latest fan adds a modern touch to every room and will reduce energy consumption up to 30% during the warm season and 10% during the colder months. A simple efficiency trick is to turn your ceiling fans clockwise to help cool your room in the summer and clockwise to circulate warm air from around the ceiling. Even if you don’t know that ceiling fans are energy efficient, it’s important that you buy ENERGY STAR-certified fans.

 

Installing solar panels on your roof can provide good, cheap electricity to your home. The energy comes directly from the Earth and is renewable and clean, so the house is not dependent on fossil fuel. solar photovoltaics provide electrical power. This device is widely accessible, silent, and fairly easy to maintain. In contrast, solar heat also delivers free heat. This software was easy to use. In both cases, sunlight’s energy is collected through paneling usually inside roofs then converted.

11. Update the kitchen

Appliance usage is typically 13 to 14 percent of the house and most are found in your kitchen. Upgraded appliances like microwaves, refrigerators, and other appliances can improve energy efficiency. Get the maximum out of sustainable remodeling costs and replace old appliances with energy-efficient models. Environmentally conscious homeowners who are planning to do a kitchen redesign will also consider upgrading kitchen countertops as an alternative to traditional countertops.

12. Use Recycled, Repurposed, or Reclaimed Materials

We all know recycling and reduction should be considered a requirement for improving the homes we live in. New buildings and renovations often generate unnecessary waste. Sometimes the material comes from a different source and then you’re unable to find it until you no longer need it. Many homeowners don’t realize how the use of salvaged materials can reduce waste and save money in the process. You could use reused materials when renovating a part of a home.

13. Try Eco-Friendly Paint or Wallpaper

Make a sustainable update to the bedroom, living area, or bedroom by applying a fresh coat or wallpaper and a funky color palette. Non-toxic painting and wallpaper reduce the waste in the process and also helps keep airborne toxic substances off your property. It may be the best way to reduce the amount of air pollution a purified system would use in the future. Lighter color paint will help increase your house’s energy efficiency as well as reflect light.

14. Recaulk & Weatherstrip to fix leaks

Are you looking for energy-efficient renovations? Weatherstripping can save a minimum of 5% to 10% from the heating cost without the need for a costly installation. Make sure the windows in the house are free of air leaks because windows can cause them to leak. Common locations where leakages occur are the walls, windows, vents, fans, and other areas where the insulation or support may be less. Weatherstripping helps increase a home’s energy efficiency.

15. Upgrade or seal windows and doors

Almost all homes are impacted by windows and during the cold seasons, a good part of hot heat is also released through drafty doors. When you have a high energy bill, energy-efficient windows may help. These doors will keep the hot and cold air away. Are there any other reasons why you can’t replace a broken window? You can also improve the efficiency of your property by sealing it in drywall, securing a new door handle, or securing a new window treatment.

16. Evaluate energy leaks

Before starting your eco home upgrade, make sure that the current cost of your home is energy efficient. Inefficiencies in energy are often one of the largest sustainability issues of a house, and repairing such a problem can instantly produce a more eco-friendly house. Home energy assessments or home energy inspections are conducted by an individual who is experienced in this area to determine the areas where the home has the most energy losses.

17. Improve your Insulation

When the home has been designed in the form of efficient insulation, it is likely that the proper insulation is included. If your older home has a lower energy consumption and energy efficiency rating you can increase your insulation levels by increasing the area around your attic and the walls of the home. Check the area where insulation is needed and see whether the area has frost that can indicate leakages caused by a lack of insulation.

18. Replace outdated windows…

Replacing outdated windows will reduce your energy bills and increase your energy efficiency. New windows are designed to refresh and protect your home from heat and cool air. Effortful skylights can replace older model homes with new models. For a passive energy-saving house, install large windows facing south for collecting solar power and use energy-saving building materials like stone, brick, and ceramics for the storage of heat.

Double pane windows

The fact is that glass is a thick layer that can make significant changes in the cost of electricity but this will happen. A double-pane window can reduce energy usage by as much as 20 percent during the summer. Space between two layers of glazing can be filled in gas – usually argon and krypton – which is denser than air thus being an excellent insulation system. So cold air is kept inside during the summer and warm air is retained during the warmer months, thus significantly decreasing heating and cooling. Using less energy to keep a house warm can save you energy costs as well as energy costs.

19. … and doors too

The installation of new fiberglass door panels in the home can save up to 35% on energy costs. Swapping from old patio doors to more efficient models will help reduce the temperature in your house. 

Air conditioners are used at nearly every home in America and use about 6% of the electricity produced nationally. Energy savings are largely the same with a greener home upgrade. Better ventilation can be accomplished with a window opening to generate a cross breeze, and utilizing individual fans or a whole house fan. The evaporating coolers pass warm outside air through water-stained pads so their temperature falls.

21. Install energy-efficient lighting

Modernizing your lighting can help you eliminate energy consumption and reduce waste. The light uses 90% less electricity and saves customers around $225 each on average – and other minor changes can help with the efficiency of energy usage. Adding curtains to the windows may ease air conditioning problems during summer. If you buy curtains, make certain colors reflect the light that enters the home.

22. Optimize your laundry room

Installing bin and basket storage systems can help you organize dirty garments in a more sustainable way. It is only necessary that the material be washed in hot water, but cleaning most of it in cold water with high-quality cold water detergents can reduce energy use! You can even put hooks, shelves, or clotheslines into your laundry room as an energy-efficient and economical alternative.

22. Choose low-flow fixtures

I’m curious; what do you do when you have a house with mold? Create sustainable toiletry! Remodeling bathrooms can also help increase the sale value of homes and apartments. Approximately 73% of the refunded cost is recovered through mid-range remodels. Replace old, wasteful systems with eco-friendly alternatives like low-flow toilets and low-flow faucets to boost your house’s value.

23. Add insulation

The biggest source of direct carbon emissions in households is automobiles and heating. If you want your heating system to improve its efficiency, you should ensure that your house is well insulated to avoid leaking. Fiberglass insulation was only used in the 1940s, and so homes built earlier in the 20th century are generally not sufficiently insulated to the standards of today.

24. Get a Smart Thermostat

The true thermostat technology is growing so rapidly! Smart thermostats may automatically set temperatures when nobody is home. This green home renovation can save up to $20,000 on your house annually. Some older models can lower the cost of the energy-saving system by up to 10%.

25. Switch to solar energy

Installing solar panels on roofs is a way to use solar energy – many solar appliance solutions have been inexpensive for many homeowners over the last years. List some of your favorite solar-related improvements for 2023.