Homeowners, when given the chance to remodel their homes should consider doing it in relation to green living. Remodeling entails cost but it would be worth it if the home can be improved in such a way that there is an expected return in investment in terms of comfort, future savings, and responsibility to the environment. Contrary to the common belief that it is hard to achieve a green home, there are actually very simple modifications that may be done in a home to achieve the purpose.
Having a green home is not merely going with a trend. It involves a comprehensive overhaul of homeowner’s views so that they can easily adapt and incorporate green living concepts in everyday living. It is about making a home a healthier place to live in, and making the home more comfortable and energy-efficient. Select home remodeling efforts can result to better indoor air quality, energy and resource conservation, less wastage of materials, and opting for products that are considered beneficial to people and the environment.
Based on the recommendations of green advocates, a green home is founded on choosing the green option in all aspects including the use of non-toxic paints and sealants, programmable thermostats, energy-efficient appliances, natural flooring, energy-efficient lighting, tank-less water heaters, local building materials, native plants for landscaping, and many other specific ways that may be applicable to a home.
Living in an ideal home is essentially about being free from the worries of exorbitant energy costs, harmful construction elements, and wastage of anything that can be put to better use. Not many homeowners are aware that those seemingly minor inconveniences spotted in a home can actually pose a threat to the health of the occupants and the integrity of the home structure, not to mention hard on the pockets.
Molds and other allergens may be conveniently living in homes due to water intrusion, excess moisture, or condensation. An HVAC system that is not efficiently functioning can result to annoying random spots in the house which can either be too hot or too cold. Proper and sufficient insulation is really a must if a homeowner is to achieve an energy-efficient home. PA Electricity Companies provide some tips in their website for the information of the public. However, according to the experts at DePalma Construction, “While replacing drafty windows and maintaining the heater are both good ways to reduce energy bills, a commonly forgotten space in the home is the roof.” Homeowners should consider utilizing the unused space on their roofs for either solar panels or rooftop gardens. PA Electricity Companies provide some tips in their website for the information of the public.
Any modification from the smallest to the biggest effort will contribute greatly to the attainment of a truly green home. Once the difference between houses which have not benefited from any green-living modification and those that have been remodeled to comply with green living is experienced, homeowners will never want to go back to non-green living.
About the Author
Shirley discovered that a green home is actually attainable after having some minor modifications done in her home.
Image: ecoinstitution.com
Originally posted on March 13, 2013 @ 6:15 pm
