3 Eco Friendly Home Renovations That Will Save You Money
Intro
Home renovations are very expensive and time-consuming, but they can also deliver great rewards. These Eco-friendly alternatives will help you save money while still giving your home the look that you want with less impact on the environment.
Replace Old Windows with New Energy Efficient Ones
One of the most efficient ways to improve energy efficiency in your house is by replacing old windows. By doing so, you will be able to reduce drafts and heat loss. Moreover, it will be easier for you to keep a proper temperature in each room when all windows are shut tight at night. If you have single pane windows replaced them with double or triple pane ones which will help you save more on energy bills during winter months because there will be less heat loss.
During the summer, these new windows will be able to help keep your home cooler because they don’t allow for drafts and hot air to enter. If you choose energy-efficient replacements that meet the ENERGY STAR® rating, you will also be eligible for a tax credit of up to $500 on each newly installed window in your house.
Update Your Siding Materials with Insulated Siding/Cladding Options
When it comes to siding materials, you have many options including vinyl, stone options like cladding or cement board siding. However, if you want to go Eco-friendly and save money at the same time, then consider cladding or insulated siding materials as these are not only durable and easy to maintain, but they can help you save on energy bills.
One of the reasons why these options work so well is because they provide a foam core that traps heat inside the house, which then keeps it warm during winter months when it’s cold outside. Also, depending on where you live and what materials your home is made from, insulated siding can also help decrease your cooling costs in summertime. Concrete board or cedar cladding have insulation added with Styrofoam that creates an air pocket for better thermal efficiency in the walls. On top of that, these types of alternative claddings are also mold free and will never crack or rot like other construction materials do under harsh weather conditions.
Replace Old Heating Systems with a Newer and More Efficient One
Old heating systems are very inefficient and expensive to maintain, which is why if it’s already time for them to be replaced, you should go for one that will give you the most bang for your buck. You can either replace oil or electric furnaces with heat pumps or geo-thermal heaters. Heat pumps circulate cool air throughout the house in summertime and warm air during winter months using electricity which is much cheaper than using oil or gas. On top of that, they are also more Eco-friendly as they emit less carbon dioxide than other heating solutions do. Geothermal heaters work by extracting heat from the ground through pipes, which then heats the air in your house through radiators. This solution is very efficient as it can reduce heating costs by 30 to 60%!
Conclusion
You don’t need to undertake large and expensive home renovations to make your house Eco-friendly and save money. Simple replacements such as new windows, siding or heaters are enough to create energy savings that will soon give you ROI on the investment. However, if you want a more drastic change, there are many different renovation options that offer great rewards in terms of energy efficiency while saving money at the same time. You just need to do thorough research before making any decisions because only in this way will you be able to find the best solutions for your needs.