Green Home Improvement Ideas

When it comes to staying green, it’s about trying to stay as efficient as possible; to use less. Nearly every improvement you can make to

your home in the name of green will be centered on using less. Hereare some starting tips toward building a greener home.

Maintenance:

Few folks will think of this right away, but the cheapest (and, inmany cases, the best) way to increase your home’s environmental

sustainability is to keep it in tip-top shape. Keep your air filtersclean, make sure insulation cracks are sealed, fix leaks, etc.

Upgrade:

Engineering has seen incredible efficiency improvements in the lastseveral years. Consider replacing things like your furnace, water

heater, or toilet if it’s over 20-years old. A more up-to-date modelwill use water and/or energy more efficiently, and save you money too.

You can also make smaller upgrades, like switching to CFL light bulbsor low-flow shower heads, to increase the efficiency of your home.

Insulation:

The better your home can retain heat or A/C, the less energy you will need to use to keep it comfortable. There are many ways you can

improve home installation, depending on your needs. You can use an elastomeric coating on your roof, install better windows, reinforce

the insulation in your attic and walls, install weather stripping, and more.

Solar Power:

Of course, this is the big everyone talks about. You can use it to power your home, or for smaller tasks like powering your water or pool

heater. However, it can be extremely expensive. In the end, you should consult a contractor to determine what sort of solar set-up will fit

your needs and budget. They can also educate you about available government grants, rebates, and tax incentives for installing solar

panels.

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