We’re in the home stretch of summer coming to an end, and before you know it, you’ll be trading in your flip flops for winter boots and switching from salads and cucumber water to hot veggie soups and hot chocolate. In other words, as the hit show Game of Thrones rightfully stated, “Winter is Coming.” And because we know cold weather is approaching, now’s a better time than any to start getting your home efficient to handle the rest of summer and fully support you in the colder months.
But the question is, what kind of home renovations should you do? Which ones are the most eco-friendly and will save the most energy?
Well, one of the first things you want to do is check to see if Power Setter is in your area. If it is, you’ll be able to compare the prices of alternative electricity providers and go with the best one for the amount of time you choose. You’ll want to check this first because it’s a very affordable way to utilize energy from renewable sources, plus, it will let you know if you need a major renovation like having solar panels installed on or near your home.
When it comes to eco-friendly home renovations, the thing to understand about it is that there isn’t anything too big or too small that you can do. A lot of people tend to shy away from these efforts because they feel that they are just one person and their contribution won’t make a huge difference in the world when they indeed really can.
According to globalcitizen.org, global warming has majorly contributed to economic inequality and that people in the poorest countries could be financially flourishing by up to 30% if it weren’t for the damaging effects of climate change between 1961 and 2000. But every little bit helps and your contribution will not only make a difference right in your very own home but across the world as well.
You may not be ready for major renovations just yet, and that’s fine, but to get you started in the right direction, here are some eco-friendly projects that you can start with first, and it will definitely help you finish out the summer strong and show major benefits in the colder months.
Eco-Friendy Projects to Take On Before Summer is Over
Switch to a Smart Thermostat
Switching to a smart thermostat isn’t a major renovation to your home, and yet it is one of the best energy-efficient renovations you can make. The cool thing about smart thermostats is that you have complete control over your thermostat even when you’re not at home.
These thermostats can not only be controlled by most devices like smartphones, tablets, and desktops but they also monitor your “temperature behavior” to create a personalized heating and cooling schedule based on your home’s heating and cooling behavior. This is actually one of the best ways to reduce energy use in your home.
Have Energy-Efficient Appliances Installed
Aside from the AC, can you guess what another major “energy eater” is in your home? It’s your appliances Everything from your washer and dryer units to your dishwasher, these everyday household appliances are culprits of your electric bill being so high, especially if you use it during certain times of the day.
Consider having energy-efficient appliances installed in your home to not only reduce your energy consumption but to also help you save on your monthly utility bill! ENERGY STAR appliances are a great place to start in purchasing these types of appliances.
Have Green Floors Installed
Green floors are a great way to incorporate an eco-friendly environment into your home. Not only are they great for the environment but maintaining the floors further promotes sustainable living by not requiring harsh chemicals.
Everything from cork to recycled poly fiber, the materials your floors will be made from are great for the environment and look beautiful in your home. The materials these floors are made from will help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
There are many, many more ways to incorporate eco-friendly efforts into your lifestyle but as the colder months are quickly approaching, it would be in your best interest to get a good start on your eco-friendly renovations now, so that your home will be able to keep you warm this winter without your electric bill going through the roof!
