Going green: eco-friendly renovation ideas

With all the hype about environmental issues lately, it’s no wonder that more and more people are thinking about ways to go green in their homes as well. Making your home more eco-friendly won’t just benefit the environment. It will also help you cut down your house’s operating costs and raise your property value at the same time. Sounds like a good deal? Here are some tips to jumpstart your green home renovation project.

Improve your lighting

With the rapid increase of household energy use in Australia, improving your energy efficiency should be on top of the list of your green home reno projects. One of the easiest ways to save energy is to swap out old incandescent bulbs for CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) or LED (light emitting diodes) lighting. This simple trick can save you up to 50 per cent of the amount of energy used up by your old lights. CFLs and LEDs usually cost more upfront, but their durability and efficiency definitely make up for it in the long run.

Step it up a notch by going for the greenest and cheapest lighting solution there is—sunlight! Remodel your windows so that they allow more light into the house and improve ventilation. Skylights can also be a wonderful addition to your home, and they can even help warm up your home during the winter.

Get better appliances

Since your appliances make up about 25 per cent of your household’s energy consumption, getting more energy-efficient appliances installed during your reno is also advisable. Do you have a huge refrigerator or a massive washing machine that is definitely too large for your needs? Consider replacing them with smaller and more energy-efficient ones. Check out the star rating on an appliance before buying it; the more stars it has, the more efficient it is.

Conserve water

Fixing leaky taps and cutting your shower time short are obvious tips to trim down your water consumption, but if you’re up for some serious water-saving methods, then consider overhauling your plumbing. Between showering, washing your hands, and doing the laundry, lots and lots of household wastewater goes down the drain every day. To put your household wastewater to good use, have a licensed plumber install an efficient rainwater and greywater system during your renovation.

Choose your materials wisely

Picking the perfect material for your walls, floors, and furniture isn’t just about aesthetics. Go for environmentally responsible choices such as hardwood flooring and wood furniture from timber certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). For your bathroom, ceramic tiles or glass tiles are a great choice, especially if they are made from sustainable or recycled materials. Lastly, consider using low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) or natural paint for a paint job since these types of paint are nontoxic and infinitely better for the environment and for your respiratory system.