In the present day, green home improvements are finding their way to the top of many homeowners? priority lists. While the concept of a green home can be described in various ways depending on who you ask, it all boils down to the basic recipe of environmental friendliness. For instance, granite and wood counter-tops are not the only green updates you can make to your home. You should begin with the factors that affect your utility costs to ensure that you are not using unnecessary energy amounts.
Energy efficiency is fast becoming a recognized standard not only in the construction of new homes, but existing ones as well. Ultimately, all projects geared towards being green around the home should reduce monthly utility bills and be environmentally friendly. Below, therefore, we take a look at 4 ingenious ways of making green improvements to your home that should see you reduce your power bill and achieve environmental friendliness as follows:
Upgrade to a more energy efficient kitchen
Investing in a green kitchen should be at the forefront of any home improvement checklist since the kitchen is at the heart of every home. It is also the room that sets the mood whenever a potential buyer or guest walks in. Additionally, it is where a majority of electrical appliances are located and which are responsible for high utility bills. Therefore, in order to make your home greener, energy rated refrigerators, dishwashers, dryer/washer sets etc. are a must-have.
Maintain constant home temperatures
One of the smartest green home moves is, arguably, upgrading to a programmable thermostat. Not only is it easy to install, but it is also one of the least expensive green home improvements that you will ever make and is today a staple for many homes. Moreover, with advances in technology, remote learning thermostats that can be controlled from your computer or smart phones now exist. This means that you can adjust your home thermostat right from your office before you begin your commute home. Typically, a return on investment on a programmable thermostat may take anywhere between four months and one-and- a-half years.
Improve attic insulation
The attic is synonymous with lots of storage space and it is also where heat seeps out during the summer months and escapes during the winter. And when it comes to greening your home, the best return on investment may be derived from spray foam insulation since attic temperatures can reach as high as 170 degrees during the summer if not properly insulated, or you can rent a sustainability storage space like the one KSS offers in Newcastle. It is thus prudent to take a peek at your attic and see what level and type of insulation you have.
Blown-in insulation or fiberglass are other viable alternatives although they compress over time and lose their efficiency properties. However, spray foam insulation will last an eternity. It will never require replacing nor lose its efficiency. More importantly, you will notice a dramatic reduction of between 30% and 40% in your utility bills. That is definitely going green.
Invest in energy star windows
If you still have single pane windows, then it is about time you considered installing energy star rated windows if you want your home to go green. This is because old windows cause drafts that affect cooling and heating costs not to mention your comfort levels. Therefore, for energy savings and maximum comfort, energy star windows are the way to go. Choose those that are filled with argon gas and are double-paned and you are likely to save up to 25% on your electric bill thus putting some green not only in your pocket, but in your home as well.
Source: http://greenhomeimprovement.com.au/how-to-make-green-improvements-to-your-home/
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