Are you thinking of going green at home? It’s everyone’s responsibility to care for the environment, and although many homeowners don’t know it, there are a few changes you can make at home that are eco-friendly. If your home’s design seems tired and is asking for an upgrade, these eco-friendly renovation ideas might be just the thing you are looking for.
1. Use reclaimed materials
It’s easy to get caught up in the newest and shiniest things when there are so many products coming up in the market. However, you can still make exceptional looking items such as furniture from reclaimed materials. For instance, reclaimed wood is not only environmentally friendly, but it’s also sublimely handsome. No wonder it’s growing in popularity as people use it for DIY projects at home. Recycled glass is also another great option. The bio-glass looks exactly like new glass and is eco-friendly, which is a plus. If you need to pimp your kitchen or bedroom windows, bio-glass is an excellent option. It brightens the house by bringing natural light in so your home is mold-free and well lit.
2. Use solar panels
The sun is one of the most potent energy sources known. Research shows that the energy it provides for one hour could meet the earth’s energy needs for a year. That’s a bold claim, and although scientists are yet to know how to harness this power fully, solar technology improvements have made it possible to use a portion of it. Solar power is beneficial to the environment and your private economy. Although the initial costs may be high, the return on investment after several years makes it worth your while. Solar panels cause no greenhouse gases emission after installation, reduce the foreign oil and fossil fuels, and is renewable clean power that’s available every day as long as the sun shines.
3. Deconstruct instead of demolishing
Here’s the thing, if it’s not broken, stop trying to fix it. Even when you have plans to knock down walls and remodel entire rooms, always walk around first and spot what you can salvage. Not everything needs to go. Some items will prove valuable later and not only save the environment but also save you some money. Look at your light fixtures, cabinets, modeling, flooring, tiles, and even bricks. Sometimes, all and item needs is a fresh coat of paint, to restore it to its former glory, so don’t be quick to cut them out. If you don’t plan to use any of the recycled items, donate them to someone else. A Goodwill or consignment shop will happily take it and send it on its way to its new owner. Some organizations sell these items and use all the proceedings to build new homes for the underprivileged and help the environment.
Renovating your home in an eco-friendly manner is a way of giving back to the community while taking care of the environment. We only have one planet, so let’s take care of it in the best ways possible.
