You probably already know that going green produces benefits for the environment. Since the push for sustainable living began, CO2 emissions have dropped. In 2020, they were down by almost 7%.
That’s due in part to the fact that 28% of the Earth is currently powered by renewables like solar energy. The use of solar energy has been the most in areas like Florida that is why there has been a rapid increase in solar companies in Florida.
That’s wonderful news, but what does it have to with saving money and making home improvements? The answer is a lot. There are three home improvements you can make that will start saving you money right away…and they can also save the environment.
1. Leave Traditional Power Behind
Traditional power is a major contributor to CO2 emissions, a cause of global warming. With more people inhabiting Earth than ever before, it’s become increasingly important that we make changes to the way we power our homes.
Over a quarter of the Earth is powered by renewables. That percentage is expected to go up to over 50% by the year 2035. One of the key players in renewable energy is solar energy. It’s the cleanest renewable, and it’s one of the three most popular.
There are more than one million solar panels installed in the United States, and that number continues to go up. Florida, Massachusetts, and New Jersey are gaining ground in the race to becoming the most solar-producing state.
In those states and five others (Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Rhode Island.) you can receive the benefits of solar right now by purchasing residential solar installation from a company that offers major benefits.
Those benefits include shrinking your carbon footprint, which lowers your overall impact on the planet, as well as financial benefits like escaping your unpredictable electricity bill and qualifying for tax credits.
Leaving traditional power behind in favor of solar is a great home improvement because it lowers your monthly utility bills and raises your home’s resale value.
2. Go Tankless
Tankless water heaters are designed to heat water on demand. That means you’re not wasting energy reheating water that’s just sitting in the tank.
Electric tankless heaters supply between 1-2.5 gallons of heated water per minute. That means you may need more than one if you plan to run your dishwasher, clothes washer, and shower at the same time.
A tankless heater offers energy savings of up to 50%, depending on how much water you use. That means you can count on using less power and lowering your monthly bills.
If you need more reasons why your next water heater should be tankless, consider this. A tankless heater will last you about 20 years, so you won’t be replacing it again anytime soon. It’s also a unique green feature you can list if you decide to sell your home.
So overall, it’s a great home improvement investment for now and the future.
3. Embrace Nature
There are two key ways you can embrace nature when it comes to making home improvements. The first is to use natural materials, and the second is to understand and use passive design strategies.
Use Natural Materials
As the name suggests, natural materials are materials that come from plants, animals, or the ground. Natural materials are incredibly sustainable, especially when they are locally and ethically sourced.
Using natural materials from your area makes your home seem like it’s in the right place. Every state has its own unique natural materials.
● Florida has natural supplies of limestone and sandstone.
● Rhode Island has tons of beach materials you can utilize.
● South Carolina has a natural supply of beautiful minerals like Topaz.
No matter where you are, your home improvement project can benefit from natural materials.
Incorporate Passive Design
Passive design is setting your home up to take advantage of natural resources. A simple step is to place windows on the side of the house that gets the most sun so you can use them to warm rooms. This works very efficiently to lower energy use when combined with solar power.
Another tactic is organizing your rooms so that air from open windows can flow through them to regulate temperature.
Passive design isn’t hard, it just takes time and planning.
These three practical home improvements can save you money and help save the environment. And the best part is that it can all be done while you live your best green life.
