When you make the decision to go green, you have to change more than just your lifestyle. In fact, you’ll also need to adjust your home to better conserve resources and minimize waste. This initially might seem like a large investment, but even the smallest of changes can have large effects on how much energy your home uses. This makes it possible for you to not only go green, but also save money while you do it. Here are a few home renovations to help you go green without breaking the bank.
Insulate Your Attic
Fully insulating the walls of the main floors of a home is standard. However, attics are often left uninsulated. This usually doesn’t compromise your comfort within the home, but it can cause you to waste more energy when you’re trying to cool or heat the house. For this reason, it’s incredibly beneficial to insulate your attic along with the rest of the house. This way, temperature-controlled air will remain trapped inside, and you won’t need to use more energy to heat or cool your home.
Install a Set of Window Shutters
Window treatments are also great ways to provide your home with additional insulation. Moveable window shutters, in particular, allow you to place barriers in between drafty windows and the rest of your home. This reduces the amount of energy that escapes through the cracks and maximizes your control over your home’s internal climate. Since shutters can be difficult to pick out, keep in mind some of the common mistakes to avoid when you’re choosing them.
Fix Window and Door Leaks
Another important home renovation to help you go green is repairing any damage around your doors and windows. Because these areas of a home see the most contact with the outside world, window frames and doorframes can easily shift and their seals can easily break. This creates drafts that force outside air in and pull your indoor air out. As a result, your HVAC system must work harder to maintain your overall comfort. When you seal off these gaps with a bit of caulk, your heated or cooled air will stay safely inside, and you won’t need to use excess energy.
