Eco-Friendly Home Renovation Strategies

In the current times of eco awareness and global warming it is essential that anything someone does has an eco-friendly influence to it. In one of the most booming industries known as home construction, home renovation has taken an eco-friendly stance. Read on to know more on some of the eco-friendly home renovation strategies.

According to an independent statistics published by the US Energy Information Administration in 2011, the annual electricity consumption for a US residential customer was 11,280 kWh on an average, that is 940 kWh per month. In order to contribute effectively to saving the environment and mending the adverse effects of global warming, it is essential that people become more energy efficient. This has given way to home improvements being done with a vision of energy conservation.

Most of the materials used in home renovation are eco-friendly. One of the most effective methods of conserving energy is by changing all the bulbs into Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). CFLs use lesser energy and are more long-lasting than normal light bulbs. A better option to CFLs are LEDs which are much more energy efficient since they contain no mercury.

Construction materials used in renovation and remodelling works in recent times are also eco-friendly. Builders have now resorted to natural material like stone, timber and recycled metal. The other eco-friendly materials that can be used include recycled industrial goods such as coal combustion products and so on. The US LCI Database Project indicates that building material such as wood will have lower energy than common building material such as brick and steel.

It is also wise to install solar panels to conserve energy. Solar energy is a natural form of energy and it is clean and efficient. Solar panels not only conserve energy but money as well. Solar water heaters can be used because they are energy efficient as well.

While renovating your home, apart from conserving energy and money, you can also aim to conserve water. Water efficiency can be increased by using low flow water fixtures and faucets. Low flow toilets have become popular as well, as people try to conserve water. Upgrading to a larger water tank can be helpful in saving water. Rain water techniques can be employed to save water. Renovating the older, out-dated drainage system will also work.

Builders and renovators alike use low-energy building techniques such as active daylighting, green roof, earth sheltering, superinsulation, double envelope house and so on. Hence, when you are opting for a renovation or remodelling service it is essential to see if the renovation will make your home energy-efficient and if the materials used are eco-friendly.