There are many simple things you can do to change your house into a more energy-efficient place while reducing your carbon footprint. I’ve brought here five ideas that you can add to your already existing home or to your house that’s still being built. Whatever your situation is, you’ll be able to apply these eco-friendly tactics to your house!

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein

Solar Panels

eco friendly house
Solar panels can be expensive upfront, but will save you money in the long run. Source: HGTV

Obviously, solar panels are one of the best ways to get a clean energy source at home. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages you need to consider before actually making a change this big. They are:

Advantages:

  • Renewable energy
  • Electric bill reduction
  • Low maintenance costs

Disadvantages:

  • Higher initial cost
  • Depends on weather
  • Takes up space

Of course, if you look deep into it, these lists will be a lot longer, but I’m keeping it simple with the most important points of each. With these, you can already have an idea if it is a good choice for your home..

Geothermal

eco friendly house plans
The geothermal system will help you save reduce your carbon footprint. Source: homeyou

I’ve talked about the pros and cons of geothermal energy a while back (mostly focused on the heating system), and now it shows up here once again. Geothermal energy is a type of energy that may not be so commonly used (yet), but it basically works like this:

Thermal energy is generated and stored in the Earth, so what the geothermal system does is use that energy to work on your home’s heating. Since this energy source comes straight from the planet’s original formation and its radioactive materials, it is one of the best clean sources you will find.

Here’s one more reason why it’s eco-friendly:

That’s because this type of energy has no forms of combustion and emit almost no greenhouse gases.

New windows

eco friendly house features
New windows will help reduce your energy bills. Source: Jaz&Theo

Now, when I say to get new windows to build an eco-friendly home, that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a type of window that provides energy-efficiency per se. I only mean: a new window won’t have draft issues or anything like that (which old windows have). So, when you replace your old windows, your heating and cooling problems will cease and your energy bill will definitely feel the improvement. Saving money and improving energy efficiency all at once!

Upgrade appliances and fixtures

eco friendly building
A new faucet is a way to upgrade your home into an eco-friendly home. Source: Remodelista

A new faucet is a way to upgrade your home into an eco-friendly home. Source: Remodelista

Old appliances, especially those from the early 90s, are a lot more costly (both to your pocket and to the environment) than the ones made today. So it’s important that you give your house an updating tour. Include things like:

  • Installing dual-flush toilets
  • Replace your light bulbs with LED bulbs
  • Replace showerheads and faucets for new low-flow models

You can also invest in things like new kitchen appliances, such as a coffee maker, an oven, a stove, and so on, to shrink up your energy bills. If your machine and dryer in the laundry room are old, replacing them might be a good idea too!

Rain Barrel

How do you make an old house eco friendly?
You can DIY your rain barrel to be part of your landscape. Source: Proud Home Decor

Rain barrels can be a great pick for you if the area you live in doesn’t rain a lot. You will collect water that can be used for gardening and significantly reduce your bills - and it’s actually quite simple to DIY your own rain barrel from a trash can. You just need to be careful because there are some states that have laws regarding water collection (either forbidding or limiting the amount of water you can collect), so be sure to check that before starting your project.

Want to make your home more eco-friendly? Get a free quote from a contractor to help you out!

Join the conversation