These days, the amount of resources available for helping a home be more eco-friendly are plentiful, but they may not be obvious. This list covers a few ideas for making your home a little bit greener.
Rain Barrels
Used for storing and harvesting rainwater, rain barrels prevent rainwater run off pollution and provide a source of nourishment for all of your outdoor needs. Instead of watching all that rain tumble down your driveway and go to waste, you can invest in a rain barrel that can be as simple or complex as you’d like. Below is a diagram showing the inter-workings of a basic rain barrel setup.
Image source: http://dublinohiousa.gov/rain-barrel
Energy Efficient Windows
Lowering a bit of your home’s carbon footprint can be as simple as replacing your old windows with new, energy efficient ones. These windows can help block harsh UV rays along with keeping heat inside the home when it’s cold out and cool air in when it’s warm out. This is not only less wasteful, but also decreases some of your heating and cooling costs.
Image source: http://www.ggrenergy.com/tag/san-diego-energy-efficient-windows/
Eco-Friendly Roofing
When it comes time to replace your roof, take time to explore the environmentally conscious options that are out there. Some of these include recycled roofing materials, wood shingles, and, if you’re looking for something a little more drastic, metal roofing. Metal roofs are becoming more and more common. They create less waste than a typical roof in the long run because they can last up to 50 years and do not require as much maintenance or replacement.
Image source: http://www.indianasteelroofing.com/images/roof2LARGE.jpg
LED Instead of CFL
LEDs or, light emitting diodes, are substantially more energy efficient than compact fluorescent lights. (CFLs) LEDs emit their light in one direction, whereas CFLs disperse their light in all directions. By using less energy in this way, LEDs are much better for the environment. And changing out light bulbs is an easy switch to make!
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incandescent_light_bulb
Solar Panels
These panels are starting to pop up everywhere. If your property is accommodating to unobstructed sunlight during the day, then solar panels could be a good investment for your home. Sizes and prices vary, but they all operate off the same premise of using some of the sun’s energy to power your home.
Image source: http://wiseenergy.org/solar/
I love the way metal roofing can look! If done the right way, it can really add style and character to a home. I also love that they last longer then other roofing materials which make it even more appealing. That way I wouldn’t have to worry about getting it replaced near as often!