PROPERTYSPARK ARTICLE

4 Environmentally Conscious Upgrades for Modern Homes

The impact of human choices on the environment is more evident today than it has ever been. These actions encompass many aspects of today’s living, such as what we drive, eat, and live in.

Most modern homes are built from an environmentally conscious angle. But there was a time when the environment was not much of a concern for contractors. If you own a home from that era and are conscious of your environmental impact, you may want to upgrade it to meet your environmental preservation principles or at least come close to the goals.
Here are some environmentally conscious upgrades you may want to consider.

Installing Energy-Efficient Lighting

Changing your lighting is the easiest environmentally conscious upgrade you can apply to your home. It’s hard to imagine anyone still using the old incandescent bulbs, but not everyone is as environmentally conscious as you are. So, if you buy such a home, the first thing you want to do is to replace it with LED bulbs.

LED bulbs use 90 percent less energy and can help you save hundreds of dollars annually. Besides the savings, you make a small contribution towards environmental conservation.

Leveraging natural daylight in summer is also a great way of conservation, and you only need to pull back your curtains so you do not switch on the lights during the day. If you want to go big, consider upgrading your windows for more light.

Embrace Products Made From Recyclable Material

Every piece of furniture contributes to environmental degradation in some way. For example, if it’s wooden, a tree has to be cut down. If it’s metallic, the ground must be moved to mine it.

You can avoid being a part of this by embracing products made from recyclable materials or, better still, creating new ones from your old furniture. You can also buy second-hand furniture instead of new furniture from online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, etc.

If it is plastic, go for material made from recyclable plastic. The same goes for any other material you choose. It may not feel like you are making much of a difference, but you are if you look at it from a wider perspective, for example, by considering others are making small contributions.

Vinyl Shakes and Composite Sidings

If your siding needs replacement, going for the traditional wooden sidings can have a massive negative impact on the environment as it would mean contributing to deforestation, plus it can be extremely expensive.

Your best alternative would be vinyl shakes and composite siding. Vinyl sakes and composite siding are made of a wide range of materials, including wood fibers, plastic polymers, cement, and color. These materials mean you not only avoid environmental degradation but can also cut your costs significantly and achieve better results.

Working with experienced siding contractors can help make your results even more outstanding. Also, you can consult them about the options to meet your environmental goals.

Have a Wholesome Approach to Energy

Besides changing your lights as a means of energy conservation, as mentioned earlier, you will want to look at a more holistic approach to energy. If you have the budget, you can consider solar energy. While expensive, solar energy can be pretty cheap in the long run as you may not have to pay as much bills for grid electricity.

If you can control your temperatures, you can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs and, ultimately, the environmental impact. So consider installing energy-efficient windows, caulking existing windows and doors, upgrading your home’s insulation, etc.

If you have the budget, you can also consider replacing your HVAC system with its modern counterpart, a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system that allows you to control individual room temperatures instead of the entire space. So you only heat or cool areas that you are using.

Conclusion

In adopting these sustainable practices, you align with a growing collective intent to preserve our planet. Redefining your home through energy-efficient lighting, recyclable materials, and alternative energy sources isn’t simply trendy – it’s a testament to your commitment to the environment.

But don’t hesitate to consider further ways to optimize. By engaging with experts, harnessing innovative technologies, and continually reassessing your impact, you not only create a dwelling that echoes sustainability but also pioneer a lifestyle where responsibility meets modern living.