Eco-Friendly Remodeling Tips

Photo via Pixabay by tpsdave

Let’s see what’s in the mailbag today… Here’s a good one: a San Juan Update reader from California, Paul Denikin, shares this set of tips on Ecologically Friendly remodeling tips for your home. Check them out below and be sure to visit his website…

The Best Eco-Friendly Remodeling Tips

Going green is an important part of all our lives now as we look to the future and think about how to sustain the Earth for future generations. It’s not always easy to know where to begin, however, and it can be costly and time-consuming to do major renovations around the house. But there are things you can do to make your home more eco-friendly during remodeling that won’t break the bank and will ensure you’re making environmentally-conscious decisions that can have a lasting effect.

Whether you want to upgrade your flooring, lighting, windows, or just your way of living altogether, it’s important to remember to think about your family’s needs and see if you can introduce new materials to get the job done, no matter how big or small. Here are some of the best tips:

Get efficient
Energy-efficient windows and light bulbs are two of the best and easiest ways to cut back on energy bills and go green. Replacing regular bulbs in the most-used rooms of the house can not only save you around $75 each year in utility costs, they’ll also last longer. Windows that are properly insulated and have a good seal mean you won’t lose cool or hot air from season to season, which can save you big on energy costs.

Repurpose and reclaim
Using repurposed or reclaimed items for remodeling countertops, kitchen flooring, and even appliances can be great for your budget as well as for the environment. Reclaimed wood is perfect for kitchen projects, while bamboo flooring is a great alternative to hardwood for living room and bedroom spaces. Because bamboo grows very quickly, it’s a sustainable material that will save timber from being cut down.

Make the sun work for you

Going solar can be a great benefit if you live in the right area. Solar panels can be used to provide energy for a wide variety of things, and you can also simply open up the windows during the day to use natural light and to heat up rooms during the winter.

Create a rain garden
If you have the space in your yard, creating a rain garden can help you cut back on watering costs for plants and vegetables. The idea is to plant items in a shallow depression, which collects rainwater and keeps thirsty plants nice and hydrated. It also decreases the chance of flooding and soil erosion.

Take another look at gas
Wood-burning fireplaces can be messy and smoky, but direct-vent fireplaces are more eco-friendly and don’t require a chimney. These fireplaces convert up to 80% of burned fuel into heat, as opposed to wood-burners, which only use about 10%.

Creating a green home doesn’t have to be overly costly or complicated; simply take a look at your needs and try to see them in a new way. Using different materials for the same end result is often doable, so you won’t even have to change your remodeling plans.

Paul Denikin began learning the ins and outs of DIY home repair while making his home better fit and more accessible for his daughter, Maggie, who has special needs. Paul wants to continue to help special needs parents like himself, and offer them a source for ideas. And that’s why he created DadKnowsDIY.com, a website that offers home improvement project how-tos and other accessibility information. When Paul isn’t being handy around the house, he likes to take Maggie to the movies on the weekends.

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