Essential Changes for a Greener Home
A greener home doesn’t have to be built from the ground up with recycled, expensive materials. Your home can be greener with easy, and often money-saving changes! These 4 areas are the most important and impactful changes you can make in your current home to reduce your footprint and bills.
Lighting
Traditional incandescent bulbs are on their way out, and for good reason. These traditional bulbs suck energy significantly faster than LED or fluorescent bulbs, meaning the energy saving alternatives also save you money. Smart home integration can turn the lights off or dim them even when you’re out of the house. Dimmable lights can not only reduce your energy costs but can also be easier on your eyes!
Efficient Water Usage
Freshwater is not an unlimited resource and reducing your water usage in all parts of your home gets more important every year. The most important effort in greening your lifestyle is to reduce your usage of drinkable water for other purposes. Landscaping uses up thousands of gallons of potable water, recycled rainwater would suit this purpose much better.
The best way to use water efficiently for non-drinking purposes like cleaning and landscaping outdoor areas is to install a rainwater basin. Other great ways to lower water consumption include choosing plants for landscaping that fit your climate and installing low-flow indoor alternatives that can reduce water consumption by 30-40%.
Cool Your Roof
Cool roofs trap and reflect heat, keeping the indoor cool and taking some of the pressure off your internal cooling system. A cool roof can reduce energy consumption, the urban heat island effect, and even air pollution. They’ve come a long way in recent years, offering more color and texture options than ever before. We can install a cool roof that will protect your home for decades, give us a call to learn more!
Water Heaters
Water heaters are one of the most important, and most commonly overlooked appliances in our homes! By switching over to a tankless water heater, you can cut down on both energy and water consumption! A tankless heater can save homeowners hundreds of dollars annually by keeping hot water available at all times. At around $300, this investment pays itself off quickly and lasts longer than the standard heater.
