Many homeowners will spend their summer doing renovation projects. Everything from deck and pool installations to kitchen upgrades are all great aesthetic additions to add to your home. They also add to the overall value of your home. Some of the hottest home renovations taking the real estate industry by storm this summer are energy efficient projects.
According to the International Energy Agency, only 2% of the world uses solar energy. The good news, however, is that as solar energy grows in popularity, it is predicted that solar energy will account for 60% of the world's electricity source by 2024! In fact, one of the greatest innovations in solar power now is solar development in the community. Instead of using traditional electricity, you can rent solar energy from a solar park. This allows people in any type of apartment to benefit from solar energy where it used to be only for homeowners.
As a practical handyman, you are likely to be eager to begin your “green” home renovations. Now all you have to do is figure out what type of energy efficient renovation you want to do. There are actually a few to choose from, but please take all safety precautions. Your safety comes first. But in the spirit of doing it yourself, here are some energy efficient home renovations to do this summer!
Energy efficient renovation projects that are perfect for this summer
Green flooring
Green soil is an excellent environmentally friendly alternative to traditional soil. Not only is the floor good for the environment, but the green floor also promotes sustainable living as it does not require harsh chemicals to clean the floor and reduces the level of pollutants indoors.
Green floors usually come in three options:
All three types of green floors are usually from sustainable sources and are durable and attractive. This makes them the perfect summer renovation project for this summer.
insulation
Insulating your home is actually one of the first things to consider when deciding which green renovation projects to undertake. When checking the status of your home's insulation, be sure to check for air leaks in your home. If you find any, have them sealed as soon as possible. This is a very inexpensive home improvement and can cut your energy bills by almost 10 percent! Even if you make an effort to properly insulate your home, you can still go for eco-friendly options. Look for loose fiberglass insulation if you can find it.
domestic appliances
If you are considering eco-friendly renovation projects, installing eco-friendly appliances is one of the best projects you can do. As you already know, utility bills go through the roof during the summer months. Therefore, finding a way to reduce these costs is a primary concern for many households. In an effort to reduce electricity bills, the consumption of certain household appliances is even minimized to save electricity costs. With ENERGY STAR devices, you don't have to worry about that. These devices are specially designed to use advanced technologies to drastically reduce energy consumption. Homeowners have seen their bills decrease by 10 to 50 percent by using ENERGY STAR products. Regardless of whether it is a washing machine and dryer or a stove, you can not only save energy and money, but also make your contribution to reducing emissions.
Direct ventilation chimney
Not many people realize that you can have an environmentally friendly fireplace and it is through the direct vent fireplace. These fireplaces are the perfect alternative to traditional fireplaces because they are safer and more efficient. In conventional fireplaces, indoor air is used for combustion. Direct vent chimneys take outside air and draw it through an outer chamber while the inner chamber removes vapors. The best part is that with direct ventilated fireplaces you will still get the same experience as with traditional fireplaces. So if you enjoy sitting in front of the fireplace in the winter months, you can still enjoy the same feeling.
HVAC
Have you ever sat around your house in heavy blankets during winter to keep your heat from getting too high? Better still, have you ever sat in your house in a bathing suit to keep the temperature from getting too cold? Many people adjust to the extreme temperatures so as not to increase their electricity bills. Heating and cooling account for more than half of your home's energy costs. With either extreme, this can add to your bill dramatically. ENERGY STAR recommends that your HVAC system if it is more than 10 years old should be checked by a professional. One way to fix this is to install a solar water heater. This option is also compatible with gas or power systems.
