With so many humans on the planet today, it’s more important than ever that we’re all cautious about the limited availability of resources and consider what we can do to conserve them. If you want to upgrade your home to make it more eco-friendly while also increasing the value of your home, give these eight tips a try.
1. Solar Panels
Solar panels are all the rage when it comes to eco-friendly energy sources, but most homeowners don’t want to invest money in a solar power system. By adding solar panels to your home and marketing it as a home with solar power capabilities, you can expand your market and increase your home’s value.
2. Doors
If your home has old metal sliding glass doors, upgrade to vinyl sliding doors to improve insulation and reduce energy costs. Vinyl sliding doors are a fairly large upfront investment, but vinyl doors and windows are a big selling point for a lot of buyers. Due to the installation of these doors being more technical, it’s worth dealing with a professional vinyl siding installer in Minnesota (or in your location) for the finest end result.
3. Landscaping
Believe it or not, landscaping can have a big impact on the value of your home and how eco-friendly it is. Water efficient landscaping, also called Xeriscaping, is a technique that involves choosing plants that do well in your region and strategically landscaping to conserve water and make sure your grass and plants stay healthy without impacting the environment too much.
4. Energy-Efficient Appliances
Old appliances used a lot more electricity than their newer counterparts, so upgrading your home to new appliances can be a great selling point. Even better, you can enjoy those energy-efficient appliances until you decide to sell your home, which means you can save on your monthly water and energy bills.
5. HVAC System
Heating and cooling often make up the majority of your power bill, so you can save yourself and future homeowners a fortune by upgrading to a more efficient HVAC system. A good HVAC system will use less energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, which means you can save money and protect the environment without sacrificing comfort. A smart thermostat is also a good investment to make if you want to reduce HVAC operating costs.
6. Green Seal Certified Materials
When you’re building a home or adding an addition, it’s important to choose the right building materials for the job. Green Seal certified building materials are certified to be environmentally friendly, meeting a long list of criteria for eco-friendly products. The more Green Seal certified building materials you can use in your home, the better off you are.
7. Insulation
If your home is poorly insulated, now is a good time to have somebody redo the insulation in your walls and attic. A poorly insulated home costs a lot more to heat and cool, which isn’t something you want to advertise when you sell your home. Insulating your home will cost a little bit of money, but it’s well worth the energy savings.
8. Lighting
Changing a light bulb to a newer LED light bulb is easy enough, but what about the lighting fixtures that aren’t so easy to access? Make sure your home is energy-efficient and prepared for the next homeowner with modern, energy-efficient light fixtures. You can install under cabinet lighting in your kitchen and bathroom, or you can upgrade to more efficient fixtures in your kitchen and living room. Every little upgrade helps when it comes to energy conservation.
As important as the environment is, it’s also important to get some value in exchange for upgrades you make to your home. If you want to do your part to protect the environment while increasing your home’s value, these eight upgrades are a great place to start.
Additional reading:
- EcoWatch recommends researching panels based on materials, price, efficiency, and more
- 6 ways to improve your new home
- A complete guide to solar panels, plus pros and cons