4 Ways To Make Your New Home More Eco-Friendly

There is a huge impact in the environmental footprint in the real estate industry, there are lots of ways to improve your home planning remodeling and renovation projects to make your living space more environmentally conscious.

Insulate Your Walls
Insulate your home and use less energy to heat and cool it. Newer homes tend to come with insulation, but they might benefit from more. Older homes tend to have less insulation. The Department of Energy recommends a home inspection to learn the R-value of the insulation before you add more. R-value is the resistance to heat; the job of insulation is to keep heat on the correct side of the wall (out in summer, in during winter).

Add Window Treatments
Window treatments can also help you reduce your heating and cooling costs, while making your home look a bit more stylish. Hang roman blinds or a pair of thick curtains in your windows to block the heat in the summer and keep cold air from seeping in through the windows in winter.

Choose Better Materials
Cabinets made from particle board might be held together with a formaldehyde-based glue, which is a carcinogen and pollutant that contributes to smog and reduces indoor air quality.

Dispose of Appliances Properly
Upgrading the older appliances found in your new home is a simple way to improve your home’s interior and cut the amount of energy it uses. Look for new appliances that have the Energy Star label, because they use around 15 percent less energy than non-labeled appliances.