15 Ways to Upgrade your Home to be a Green Building

Whether you are looking to save money or simply have a positive impact on the environment, making your home “green” can help.

There are several ways that you can go green with you home that can leave you with cash in your pocket while reducing your footprint on the earth.

Take advantage of the 15 ways to be green by upgrading your home to be a green building listed below.

1. Switch out your light bulbs. The new, energy efficient light bulbs can help save you money throughout the year. Make sure every fixture in your home has the new type of light bulb. While they cost a bit more than the older ones, they will save you money overtime.
2. Allow plenty of natural light to come in. Windows in your home can actually help it be greener. How? The natural light that comes in during the daytime will reduce your need for electricity during the day.
3. Install energy efficient doors and windows. Make sure that the doors and windows that you choose for your home are energy efficient. Double paned window will help keep out the excess temperatures.
4. Add in solar panels. Have you considered going solar in an effort to reduce the amount of energy your home uses? Solar panels will help reduce your electricity bill and also have a positive impact on the earth.
5. Get an energy efficient roof. Is your roof green? Choose a roofing material that will lower your energy costs and last longer over time.
6. Fix air leaks in your home. Walk around your home searching for any signs of air leaks. You may need to replace framing around doors and windows that leak.
7. Add in insulation. Properly insulating your home will also help reduce the amount of energy it requires to power your house. Upgrade your home by getting spray insulation that will fill every nook and cranny of your house.
8. Get a new water heater. Newer water heaters are more energy efficient than older ones. Perhaps it time to switch to a tankless water heater in an effort to protect the environment.
9. Plant trees around your house. When planting trees around your home, you won’t immediately see the positive impact. In the future, however, you will. Plant trees around your house so that they can provide shade for the future. More shade means a lower energy bill during the summer months.
10. Add in bamboo flooring. The materials you use in flooring can also be green. Bamboo flooring is one example of flooring material that is kind to the earth.
11. Start a compost pile. A compost pile in your backyard will help you have a place to store all the excess paper and waste that you use.
12. Use recycled materials in building projects. If you need to build a shed or some other building, choose to go with materials that are recycled.
13. Use “green paint.” You can even go as far as choosing paint that is friendlier for the environment. Most stores are now carrying low VOC paint that is better for your health and the health of your home.
14. Get an energy efficient heating and cooling unit. How old is your unit? The older it is, the more likely it is to be using too much energy. A newer unit will be more energy efficient. Search for brands that pride themselves on giving savings to the customers with more efficient units.
15. Keep your thermostat properly programmed. If you want to keep your home ice cold in the summer months, you are going to have to pay for it. In an effort to be green, keep your thermostat programmed at 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. This will result in significant savings for you all throughout the year.

Listed above are 15 ways that you can upgrade your home to be a green building. Make sure that your life for the earth and saving money is seen in the materials you use in your home.

How far will you go to make your home truly green?