How To Do Eco-friendly Home Renovations?

If your home needs a refreshing change, the best way to do it is to ensure it is as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. Staying eco-friendly is the best way to accommodate the current lifestyle and economy. It also helps you to be conscious of the environment and contribute to its well-being. 

People may tell you that choosing the eco-friendly route may not leave you with many options or the same versatility, but that's far from the truth. There are many ways to make your renovation environmentally friendly. You can even consult the best realtors Berkeley CA. The best part about eco-friendly homes is that they come with a unique, green aesthetic and safety for the environment. This makes it the best of both worlds. In this article, we talk about how you can do an eco-friendly renovation to your home.

Swap traditional bulbs with LED

LED eco-friendly bulbs are far more sustainable than traditional ones. Not only do they help save the environment, but they also help cut down on electricity bills. According to the Energy Saving Trust, standard bulbs are highly inefficient since they convert 5% of their electricity into light. Lighting makes up about 11% of your household energy consumption, which is a lot. LED Lighting can look cold but change depending on the color of lighting you opt for. Try choosing soft or warm light bulbs.

Eco-friendly paint

When renovating your home, people first deal with the walls and ceilings to repaint them and give the whole house a fresh look. However, it's important to note that most paint can be highly toxic, and you would be doing the environment a huge favor if you spent energy finding eco-friendly paint for your walls. Several brands offer eco-friendly alternatives that do not contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which refers to the toxic chemicals added to most paints. Regarding wallpaper, look towards companies that offer Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wallpaper.

Heat pumps

Heat pumps are a low-carbon and environmentally friendly alternative to central gas heating. Installing one can get costly, but it will be worth it in the long term. It could help you save a lot of money on electricity bills. You can even look for grants offered by your local government. For example, the UK government even offers £5,000 grants to encourage all homeowners to invest in low-carbon heating systems.

Buy reclaimed goods 

Several anti-environment processes are involved in making those new custom furniture pieces you see in stores. Buying them also contributes to the consumption and remaking of all the furniture, which consequently means further environmental damage. Luckily, you can use reclaimed wood and furniture, which is more of an environmentally sound choice while being sublimely elegant and growing popular daily. Reclaimed wood is ideal for countertops, flooring, and even your walls.

Visit antique shops and yard sales

To add to the point mentioned above, visiting antique shops or yard sales is the best course to take if you want to remain eco-friendly. You'll find items such as doorknobs, light fixtures, and even mantels, which will add to your purpose and save you cash since items at a yard sale are much cheaper than store prices. It will also add a unique charm and warmth to your home that you can only acquire through repurposed items.

Formaldehyde-free cabinets

Formaldehyde is a material commonly used in building and household products. However, just because they're popular doesn't mean they're eco-friendly. In contrast, they can be harmful to the environment. When searching cabinets or other items containing formaldehyde, you should ensure they are made free from this material. Fortunately, many stores offer this alternative as the world becomes more environmentally conscious.

Go Solar

When we have a powerful energy source naturally gifted to us, why waste money on paying electricity bills each month? The sun is a powerful renewable energy source. With the right equipment, it can effectively power up your house. Collecting sun energy via solar panels will allow you free access to electricity as long as you want without fretting about those bills. 

In conclusion

There are various ways you can make your home renovations eco-friendly. Take advantage of the sun and use it to make your home energy-efficient. You can also visit antique shops and yard sales to find items at a low price without buying directly from stores which can be bad for the environment. This also includes reclaimed goods like wood to make your countertops and furniture guilt-free. Investing in heat pumps is well worth it because they are a low-carbon alternative to central gas heating. 

Chemicals like formaldehyde and VOCs (volatile organic compounds found in paints) can be toxic, so search for options that are free from these chemicals. 

We hope this article has been informative and helps make your home renovation eco-friendly. Thank you for reading!

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