Renovation does not need to be done the usual way — changing the way your home looks and functions for the sheer aesthetic and practical benefits of doing it. If you want to make your planned renovation more substantial, one way to do it is to follow green principles: eco-friendly ways of doing things, even concerning renovations.
But, why should you bother, right? As it is, each household and individual has a role to play in the global effort to combat the ill effects of climate change that is triggered by ecologically harmful ways of doing things. So, no matter how small your home is, you have a direct hand in how the climate behaves, and your actions would go a long way in determining whether we’re making the world a safe place to live for the current and future generations.
Here are some clever ways of renovating your home to make it as eco-friendly as possible:
1. Invest in a waste management facility. Data show that kiwis generate around 734 kilograms of household waste each person each year. If you have several daily members living in your home, then you could just imagine the volume of household waste that you’re generating regularly. If your budget permits, having your own waste management facility to recycle your household waste and lower your carbon footprint would be a good idea. No worry about how to get one as there are companies such as Pioneer Group that specialize in producing dedicated machinery to handle and recycle waste. This way, you can minimize the volume of waste materials that come out of your home — a simple, yet an ecologically-beneficial way of doing home renovation.
2. Use reclaimed materials extensively. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, they say. In the case of using reclaimed materials for your renovation project, this is absolutely true. Materials such as wood can make any residence have a homier and inviting ambiance. Reclaimed wood is also more eco-friendly and cheaper, which explains why they are highly popular among property owners doing home renovations. They also have lots of potential uses such as for cabinetry, coffee table, dining set, wall accents, shelves, and the like. You could also use other reclaimed materials such as bricks and discarded metals for your other renovation needs.
3. Repaint using VOC-free paint. Volatile organic compound (VOC) is commonly used in commercial paint products used extensively for construction and renovation purposes. Unfortunately, while they are popular, they are also harmful to one’s health since they emit molecules that have been proven to cause health problems and harm the atmosphere. Hence, it would be wise to use paint that contains negligible or zero VOC in your renovation. This will allow you to beautify your home without harming the environment and putting your family’s health at risk.
4. Invest in/switch to solar energy. One of the best things that you can do when you renovate your home is to invest in a solar power system that would give you awesome eco-friendly points. The good news is that there are numerous professional installers of solar power systems that you can hire. Aside from making your home more environment friendly, switching to a renewable energy source would also help lower your power bills or give free electricity forever (if you chose an off-grid setup). Who doesn’t want such a beneficial system, right?
5. Follow green design principles. The ones already mentioned are already examples of green (read: sustainable) renovation principles but there are still many ways of achieving a complete eco-friendly renovation. For one, you can improve your existing insulation and seal air leaks to better conserve energy and regulate your home’s inside temperature all-year-round. Additionally, you can install a rainwater harvesting facility so you’ll have a ready water source to wash your car or water your yard. You could also upgrade your ductwork to make it as efficient as possible.
6. Use energy-efficient home appliances and fixtures. Another excellent way of making an awesome renovation that answers the call for sustainable practice is to use energy-efficient fixtures and appliances. Among many things, you can invest in LED bulbs, a programmable thermostat, and a tankless water heater. When it comes to home appliances, be sure to go for those with high energy efficiency ratings, which you’ll easily determine by checking for the EnergyStar logo. These types of appliances have undergone and passed strict energy efficiency tests before they were given such certification, so they are a great indicator of the eco-friendliness of an electrical appliance.
By following these six renovation ideas, you can turn your home into a great example of how renovations must be done to ensure its eco-friendliness.
