Many people decide that their house needs a makeover, whether it’s because there’s insufficient space or they feel like it’s time for a change. When you know it’s time for an upgrade, you should do it right. According to a 2019 U.S Houzz and Home Report, the standard homeowner spent, on average, $15,000 on their home renovation projections in 2018.

If you’re hoping to make your renovations eco-friendly, here are are the five things that you should consider:

Ways to ensure an eco-friendly home renovation include choosing renewable or clean energy, eco-friendly paints with low or no VOCs, a low-flow toilet, energy-efficient appliances, and more.

Avoid Painting with VOC

VOC or volatile organic compounds fall into the category of harmful gasses from products that transfer into the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, studies have shown that several organics are two to five times higher indoors than outdoors.

When used in your rooms, you breathe them in regularly, and they irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Apart from this, they also affect the nervous system and cause difficulty in breathing.

Many homeowners are now choosing eco-friendly paints with low or no VOCs. They work just as well as traditional colors and offer similar colors, coverage, and durability while being chemical-free.

Install Low-Flow Toilet

Your bathroom consumes more water than any other appliance that you use. According to a study by the City of Santa Cruz, modern toilets use about 1.6 gallons of water per flush, and a full bath can consume 70 gallons of water. If your bathroom needs an upgrade, consider choosing eco-friendly paints with low or no VOCsmodel to reduce water usage. Apart from this, you can also select a dual-flush, which uses less water for liquids, and a bit more solid waste.

Aside from your toilet, you should also consider switching to a shower instead of using a bathtub. Although you will need to make significant changes if you want to save water, you can also consider installing a low-flow showerhead to make sure there’s less water heading down your drain each day.

Opt for Clean Energy

Renewable or clean energy comes from natural resources, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal energy. The different types are as follows:

Solar Energy– Solar panels contain cells that transform the sun’s rays into energy or electricity; these energy systems do not produce any greenhouse gases or pollutants. Many homes and businesses distribute solar panels on their rooftops and mirror the sunlight to generate a steady electricity flow. To get started, research the best clean electricity service in Texas.

Wind Energy– Wind turbines or wind energy converter transforms the wind’s kinetic energy into electrical energy. The wind turns the turbine blades and feeds power to an electric generator. California, Texas, Kansas, and Iowa are the top wind power states in the USA.

Choose Energy Efficient Appliances

Many appliances that you may use daily consume a large amount of electricity. You may not be able to tell until you have a look at your power bills. When you’re renovating your home, consider replacing your old appliances and choosing those that have the energy star label on them. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency started the energy star program to promote products and devices that consume less energy and reduce greenhouse emission gasses.

Energy star-certified products come in a large variety ranging from appliances, such as dishwashers, refrigerators, air purifiers, freezers, and dishwashers to lighting, such as fans, light bulbs, and fixtures. You can also find water heaters, air conditioners, thermostats, and coolers, among others.

Use Salvaged Materials

The materials used for renovating your home also have a significant impact on the environment. Here are a few considerations to make:

Windows– While glass may not have harmful effects when recycled, creating it requires plenty of fuel, contributing to the Co₂ in the environment. Instead of making yours from scratch, try reusable glass or bioglass, which looks a lot like new windows, but environmentally friendly.

Floors– Reclaimed wooden flooring isn’t just eco-friendly, but also doesn’t warp easily. You can also opt for cork or bamboo flooring because they’re green, easy-to-source, and robust.

Recycled Surfaces– If you’re going to be renovating your kitchen, try turning waste products like glass or concrete into reusable worktops. Many companies use old television screens and windscreens as porcelain tiles.

Reusable Materials– You should use recycled materials, such as discarded metal, wood, and glass, for whatever you may be creating. These materials will reduce waste and the usage of fossil fuel to cut down and carry trees. It can also give your home a contemporary look.

Think About the Final Result

Although there are plenty of ways to ensure an eco-friendly home renovation, you should think about the result and then get creative. Construct plans and ideas that fall in line and provide you with the green home you desire.