There is nothing more satisfying than changing the old and dull appearance of our home. Apart from opting to add some modern details to add a touch of freshness to your home, it is important to go green and protect the environment. The best part about opting for an eco-friendly home improvement solution is that it can save you a lot of money on electricity and water bills. In order to help you reduce your carbon footprint and have an amazing time while renovating your home, we have prepared a few easy-to-follow steps for you.

Reduce water waste

One of the easiest ways to save money and go green as well is to reduce the amount of water you waste around the house. Start by installing low-flow showerheads and toilets. Normal-flow showers can account for 17% of the overall household water usage. This way, you will get to save up to 2,900 gallons of water per year. More importantly, make sure that you turn the tap off if you are not going to use it. This applies to moments when you are brushing your teeth or taking a shower – ask yourself: “Do I really need to keep the water running for this long?”, and “Should I turn the water off while I’m shampooing my hair?”

Use paint that doesn’t harm the environment

If you want to paint your home in funky colours and still protect the environment, make sure to invest in non-VOC paint. Volatile organic compounds or VOC, have a high vapour pressure at ordinary room temperature. They are toxic, and inhaling them for a longer period of time can cause serious respiratory problems. Even worse, they can cause skin, eye, and throat irritations. When they get in contact with nitrogen oxides, they can create a form of ground-level ozone or smog, which contributes to climate change. Explore various non-VOC paints, and make your home a safer place for your family.

Insulate your home

The more you invest in high quality insulation, the less you will have to pay for electricity, oil or wood needed to heat your home. The effects of great insulation are extremely good, because it traps the heat inside your home during winter, and keeps your home cool during summer.

Renovate your home using recycled materials

The biggest advantage of using recycled materials is that they are eco-friendly and affordable. There are numerous recyclable materials that can be found in common households, from plastic and paper, to steel and organic compounds. Additionally, another great place to start looking for them is around a heritage building centre or a demolition yard. You can find carpets, windows, bathroom fixtures, and many more items made from recycled materials which are cheap, but don’t lack the good looks. This way, you will both get an affordable deal on materials for your home and protect the environment.

Invest in energy efficient ventilation

More and more households are investing in wind ventilation systems. The benefit of using them is that they can cool the room. Additionally, it is a system exclusively powered by wind, which means that it doesn’t require any additional investments in order to function properly. The best thing about them is that they can be installed in every room. In order to get the best that wind ventilation systems have to offer, we recommend opting for a whirlybird because of its excellent performance and affordability.

Use barn wood

Using reclaimed wood is an ideal “green” alternative for home improvement. It is basically reused material made from barns, factories and warehouses, hence the name “barn wood”. You can apply your DIY skills and use it for designing your very own custom chairs, floors, decking, and countertops for the kitchen. If you want to add a touch of antiquity to your home, don’t forget to use barn wood for your next DIY project.

As we can see, it doesn’t take much effort to renovate your home the eco-friendly way. All it takes is patience and ingenuity.