Living a more eco-friendly lifestyle not only helps you do your part when it comes to sustainability but it can also save you money. Everyone wins when we take care of our local and global ecosystems. Let’s look at seven ways to remodel your home as more eco-friendly.

Water Use

While the term eco-friendly usually brings to mind your home’s energy consumption, it also means saving water. First of all, fix any plumbing leaks. Don’t let the faucet run while you brush your teeth or shave. Also, install low-flow faucets, toilets, and shower-heads; these can save tens of thousands gallons of water every year for a family of four. Tankless water heaters also can conserve a great deal of energy, as it heats water as needed rather than maintaining a heated tankful of water.

Switch to LED Light Bulbs

Not only are LED bulbs energy-efficient, but they also last longer. This means that on top of protecting nature, you’re saving money from the energy bill and the cost of frequently replacing bulbs. They’re also less likely to cause a headache or eye strain compared to fluorescent bulbs, which makes your home more enjoyable to be in. This is one of the easiest things you can do around the house. If you’ve been using fluorescents in the kitchen, get rid of those first thing and consider hanging pendant lights instead for more even lighting and a better overall aesthetic.

Install a Solar System

A solar roof installation, while expensive upfront, can save you a lot of money in the long run. However, many states and local energy companies have rebate programs to defray the cost. On top of that, once enough people in your neighborhood go solar, you can generate so much energy that you’ll be selling it back to the energy companies. Furthermore, a solar system with a home battery bank can keep your home up and running even when the grid goes down. Solar systems are also used by many who want to make their homes self sustainable and therefore emergency-ready at all times.

Consider Wind Power

If you live in a very windy area, a wind generator could be a good back-up for your solar system. It can supply your home with the power you need at night or when the skies are overcast. This can be especially effective for those living in areas with high winds, such as those near a coast, in high elevation, or areas with few forests to break up the wind. Wind power is yet another useful energy source for those seeking to get their home off the grid in a sustainable way, creating great energy independence.

Implement Organic Gardening Practices

Your landscaping is the main feature of your home’s curb appeal. Plant your yard with native plants, adapted to the local environment. They’ll need less water and soil amendments. Use natural and organic products to keep your landscaping vibrant and healthy. Not only is this healthier for the local ecosystems, but it also will allow your plants to grow mor vibrantly and easily than foreign plant types.

Use Recycled Products for Remodeling

You can use recycled metal, stone, brick, plastic, glass, and wood to remodel your home, inside and out. You can even find insulation made from recycled material, such as old cotton clothing. Recycled materials are not only eco-friendly, but they also add tons of character to your home. Other benefits include sturdier material, as recycled material goes through a compacting system that makes it naturally moisture resistant and strong. 

Using recycled material can be a serious money-saver as well, especially on big projects. If your roof is in need of replacement, or you’re having a home built house, then using recycled materials for your roof installation can seriously bring down the overall costs. Talk to your local contractors about recycled materials that they might have available or if they’d be willing to order out for them.

Look to Hemp and Bamboo

Hemp and bamboo products are the latest things for an eco-friendly home. These are organic and sustainably produced, and can be transformed into flooring, wall coverings, fabrics, and a lot more. For example, one of the hottest building materials right now is “hempcrete”. It’s good for non-weight bearing walls, it’s easier to work with compared to traditional concrete and it also has insulating properties.

There are a variety of materials that nature provides for us to make our homes beautiful without being a danger to the ecosystem. Aim for more natural themes in your home and do some research to find what materials work best for your home projects. With a little effort and some creative thinking, you can find ways to make every part of your home more eco-friendly and sustainable for the environment