With a constantly changing environment around us, it’s important to be environmentally aware and active. It’s even more critical when you consider how much money can be saved by building an eco-friendly home. The ways you can go about changing your home from a nuclear waste plant to a more carbon-friendly home are easy and straightforward. Do the earth a favour and implement the following the next time you’re doing renovations to your home.
Wood flooring
Reclaimed wooden boards have obvious eco-credentials and the added benefits of being pre-seasoned so that they won’t warp once installed. Cork is another renewable material that works well as an alternative. The same tree can be harvested for decades. Like carpet, it has excellent thermal properties; it is soft and springy with the added benefit of being waterproof and easy to clean.
Deconstruct your home
If you’re planning to tear down walls or even knock down a room, take a walk around your home first to see what you can re-use beforehand. Not only is deconstructing your home eco-friendly, but it will save money in the end. There will most likely be a ton of material you can salvage and re-use. Consider everything from light fixtures, to flooring, tile, bricks, cabinets and molding. If you are thinking of scrapping a chandelier in your dining room, instead of tossing it, think of another place you can use it. Alternatively, if you don’t want to re-use anything, we can arrange for a professional team to deconstruct your home, or part thereof, prior to a renovation.
Let there be light
Carefully placed mirrors and reflective surfaces will encourage light to bounce around a room. If you have a room with no windows that relies entirely on artificial light, consider installing a sun tunnel. These are discreet ceiling portholes that channel light from the roof, spreading diffused daylight throughout the room. Another way to use natural light to your advantage is skylights and solar panels. These viable options will help to keep energy costs down; they can also be used to help heat a home, and provide enough power for small items around your house.
Energy-efficient appliances
When shopping for new appliances look for those that are the most energy efficient. These products will have an Energy Star logo on them and will give you all the information you need. Many of the larger appliances, especially the upscale refrigerators, use a lot of electricity. Many of these high-end appliances come with a hefty price tag, and they will end up costing a great deal more over time to run.
Are you looking for other simple ways to transform your space and lessen your carbon footprint? Get in touch with us today to chat about your Vancouver home and you can give it a green touch!
