Clarence Murphy 
Homeowners can reduce their carbon footprint through eco-friendly home improvements. Conducting energy assessments, draught proofing and replacing old appliances with more energy-efficient ones are among the many things they can do to create more eco-friendly dwellings.
These home improvements are cost effective, leading to reduced utility bills over time and increasing the resale value of your property.
1. Upgrade Your Appliances
Upgrading to energy-efficient household appliances is one of the best ways to lower your carbon footprint and save money at the same time. Since appliances account for much of your home’s energy use, investing in eco-friendly models will not only benefit the planet but also lower energy bills.
Installing energy-saving appliances such as those from ENERGY-STAR can ensure you use minimal amounts of electricity, while installing a programmable thermostat can further help save on costs.
Replacing your windows and doors with energy-efficient versions will also help reduce utility bills, thanks to their special coatings and gas fills designed to prevent heat loss from your home and regulate temperatures more effectively. Plus, upgrading may qualify you for tax rebates!
2. Upgrade Your Lighting
One of the greatest energy inefficiencies in your home is lighting. Switch out old incandescent, fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs which are more energy efficient and last much longer; alternatively you can recycle your bulbs by taking them to your local hazardous waste facility or finding a store which accepts CFLs and LEDs for recycling.
Skylight installation can also be an eco-friendly home improvement, letting natural light fill the room while cutting energy bills and decreasing your carbon footprint.
When renovating, try to recycle as many materials as possible and reuse as much as possible to minimize waste and save money in the long run. Re-using materials such as drywall, flooring or tiles will both reduce waste and save you money in the form of reduced expenses in future renovation projects.
3. Upgrade Your Insulation
As energy costs and climate change continue to escalate, more homeowners are opting to remodel their homes – though with so many projects available it can be daunting knowing where to begin.
One effective way to reduce your carbon footprint is to upgrade your insulation, which will prevent heat from escaping your home during wintertime and maintain coolness throughout summer.
Additionally, insulation will save money on energy bills, potentially even qualifying you for rebates or energy efficiency programs offered by local utility companies.
Plus, installing new insulation in your house can make it healthier by helping to reduce dust and other airborne pollutants in the air.
4. Replace Your Windows and Doors
Replace old windows with energy efficient ones can significantly lower energy consumption and carbon emissions. Energy efficient windows reflect sun rays away from your home while keeping temperatures constant without using fossil fuel-derived energy sources to do it.
When selecting new windows, look for those marked ENERGY STAR. Also make sure your new windows are properly installed and insulated to prevent air infiltration.
Reducing your carbon footprint can also involve installing a programmable thermostat and sealing and insulating heating and cooling ducts – these eco-friendly home improvements could reduce energy use by up to 15% and cut your carbon footprint in half respectively.
5. Update Your Paint or Wallpaper
Sometimes our homes become tired and need a face-lift, rather than moving out and starting over from scratch, many choose to renovate the one they already live in.
As well as increasing the value of your property, eco upgrades can also reduce carbon emissions and help increase sales potential in the event that you plan to sell in the near future.
Eco-friendly renovations don’t have to be costly; in fact, there are some easy and cost-effective steps you can take that will make a difference without breaking the bank! From reuse stores selling repurposed materials or low VOC paint and wallpaper options to finding eco-friendly materials like reuse stores selling recycled ones; there’s sure to be something great that’s also good for the environment!
