Sustainability has become very top of mind for people when it comes to building and renovating homes, as it should! With sustainable products becoming more and more accessible, it’s never been easier to make your home greener while helping the planet. When it comes to home renovations, it can become overwhelming to know exactly what to do in terms of sustainability, but there is no need to stress.
We’ve highlighted just a few of the many ways you can sustainably renovate your home to be more environmentally friendly and eco-conscious.
Source Local Materials
One of the easiest ways to bring sustainability into your home renovation is by using local products and materials. Choosing to shop locally can not only help cut down on transportation costs and emissions, but it can help you give back to your local community. Reach out to local designers and builders for recommendations on where to source materials and who to go to for certain design elements in your home. Concrete is a great example of an eco-friendly material that can often be sourced locally, and has a variety of different uses, whether it be for foundations, countertops, or flooring.
Look For Energy-Efficient Appliances
When it comes to shopping for sustainable appliances for your home, make sure to look for the ones that have the Energy Star logo on them. This logo helps to indicate appliances and products that are highly efficient, making them great, eco-friendly choices. Many large appliances, such as dishwashers, refrigerators, and ovens, tend to generate a lot of electricity, so opting for brands and models that are specifically energy efficient is a great way to add to the sustainability of your home.
Consider Buying Pre-Owned
If you’re planning to update your furniture during a renovation, consider buying pre-owned instead of brand-new. Not only is this a sustainable way of furnishing your updated space, but it can also be cost-effective. Consider looking for pieces of furniture that may just need a fresh coat of paint and some TLC to give them new life. Chances are, you’ll end up saving money in the long run and they’ll look great in your new space. Re-facing things like kitchen cabinets is another great way to bring new life into your kitchen without having to completely replace them.
Utilize Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy is quickly becoming a more realistic option for everyday consumers, so it is worthwhile to check into the different kinds of renewable energy you could be utilizing in your home. Adding solar panels to your roof to help harness the heat from the sun is a great way to not only save on your electricity bill but also add sustainable power back into the grid. Depending on your location, geothermal energy might also be an option, with geothermal heat pumps being installed into the ground to help harness the heat from the earth.
Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or are just looking to revamp your space while being sustainably focused, these renovation ideas are a great place to start!