Living a greener lifestyle isn’t just about conserving natural resources, it’s also about saving money. Whether you’re renovating your existing home, or building from the ground up, you can create a home that’s more efficient, cost effective and “green.”
1. Insulate against air
In terms of heating and cooling, a well insulated home conserves the most energy by creating an airtight seal, locking out any potential hot or cold air drafts. To properly insulate, replace old windows and doors with more energy efficient options, such as those made by Pella, including triple-pane glass, and add extra insulation to the walls, roof and basement.
2. Make greener living energy-efficient choices
Inefficient appliances can cause a spike in your gas, water and electric usage. For a simple change, choose LED bulbs for all your light fixtures. To conserve even more energy, opt in for high-efficiency upgrades for your larger appliances, like refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes dryers, and install water conserving bathroom fixtures to help cut down your home’s overall water usage.
3. Maximize natural light
When you’re able to rely on natural light for most of the day, the cost of your electric bill decreases. If you’re renovating, think about ways you can incorporate new window openings to increase the amount of natural light your home is currently receiving. If you’re building, think about incorporating an open floor plan with lots of windows to maximize the flow of natural light from room to room.
4. Design for greener living
Instead of buying up into a larger less-energy efficient home, add extra space to your existing home by introducing a Livable Pod to your yardspace or garden. You can enjoy this extra space which is highly insulated and built with energy efficiency in mind and to use it for your own greener living lifestyle.
