Eco-friendly home updates are an excellent way to increase your home’s value, save on energy costs, and reduce your environmental footprint. Here are ten green updates you can make to your home. Remember, sometimes less is more when it comes to eco-friendly remodeling. For example, avoid replacing perfectly good hardwood floors with bamboo; stick with what you have to reduce waste.
1. Get a Cooler Roof
Installing a roof that reflects heat instead of absorbing it can help keep your home cooler with less energy. Metal roofs are a great option, as they last for decades and can mimic the look of materials like wood, tile, and stone, providing both practicality and aesthetic appeal.
2. Save on Heating Costs
Although a solar water heater is a significant investment, it can reduce your hot water bills by up to 80% over time. For the best results, install the heater where there’s unobstructed southern exposure to maximize sunlight absorption.
3. Be Counter Intuitive
Granite countertops are popular, but there are other eco-friendly options to consider, such as counters made from recycled paper or hemp. These durable surfaces are easy to clean, though color choices may be limited.
4. Encourage Recycling
Make recycling easy for your household and guests by designating a specific spot in the kitchen for recyclables. This simple change can significantly improve recycling habits and reduce waste.
5. Explore Green Flooring
While hardwood floors are a solid investment, sustainable wood options like cork flooring offer a similar look with a smaller environmental footprint. Cork, made from bottle-stopping factory leftovers, is durable, warm, and spill-resistant, making it ideal for homes with kids or pets.
6. Choose Natural Wallpaper
Conventional wallpaper can contain harmful chemicals and synthetic materials. Opt for natural wallpaper made from sea grass, an abundant and sustainable resource found in saltwater marshes. Sea-grass wallpaper provides a natural, textured look for your walls.
7. Reduce Water Waste
Upgrading pre-1994 toilets, showerheads, and sinks to modern, low-flow versions can significantly reduce water usage. This can save water and lower your bills—upgrading to a low-flow toilet alone can save about $90 a year on your water bill.
8. Go for a Gas Fireplace
Gas fireplaces produce less indoor and outdoor pollution compared to traditional wood-burning ones. The most efficient models are direct-vent, which vent without a chimney. If you have a traditional fireplace, consider increasing its efficiency by installing a wood stove or using natural gas or pellet inserts.
9. Make Your Own Natural Weed Killer
Instead of using chemical weed killers in your garden, tackle weeds sustainably with homemade solutions. This eco-friendly approach protects your plants and soil from harmful chemicals.
10. Reject a Traditional Deck
Composite decking made from wood waste and recycled plastic is a sustainable alternative to hardwood decking. Composite decking lasts longer, requires less maintenance, and won’t warp, crack, splinter, or rot, outperforming ordinary wood decking in both durability and environmental impact.
11. Try Recycled Mulch
Rubber mulch, recycled from scrap tires, is an eco-friendly alternative to wood mulch, especially useful as a playground safety surface. It hinders weed growth in gardens and doesn’t rot or blow away. However, some gardeners avoid it due to the potential for zinc and other heavy metals harmful to plants.
Implementing these eco-friendly home updates can increase your home’s value, save money on energy costs, and reduce your environmental impact. By making thoughtful, sustainable choices, you can enjoy a more efficient, comfortable, and green home.
