There are several ways to make your home sustainable, such as installing walnut hardwood in Brisbane and using energy-efficient windows. But how will you know if your home renovation project is every bit eco-friendly?
Evaluate Your Home’s Environmental Footprint
Before you start a project, make sure you’re not wasting money on the wrong upgrades.
- Carrying out an eco-audit helps to get a comprehensive view of your house’s performance in terms of energy and water use.
- You’ll be able to see where you are overusing and where there are opportunities for enhancement. High power consumption, for instance, can result from old insulation or inefficient appliances.
- Based on the data gathered, rank areas for improvement according to priorities. This will help guide you in setting a budget for your home improvement project.
Deconstruct Instead of Demolish
Tearing down walls may increase your home’s carbon footprint and waste generation. So think twice before you use that sledgehammer.
- Instead of breaking down walls to expand your living space, consider taking it outside. A rectangular patio may be a better option, requiring less work and cleanup than tearing down walls.
- Repurpose a room to create something new. That small corner bedroom can become a home office without destroying the original structure.
Use Environment-Friendly Materials and Finished Products
To increase your home’s sustainability, use the right materials and finishes.
- Install eco-friendly flooring, such as hardwood, bamboo, linoleum and cork.
- Use reclaimed wood or recycled glass tiles sourced locally or from second-hand shops. Doing the latter gives these materials a second life and minimises waste that reaches landfills.
- Go for eco-friendly siding options to help reduce energy consumption and increase insulation levels. These include reclaimed wood and fibre cement.
Upgrade for Energy Efficiency
Replace old and energy-hungry appliances with energy-efficient ones. With less power or energy consumed by appliances the lower the costs to run them.
- Update or replace old windows with those that have higher energy efficiency performance. Some of the features that you need to look for are Energy Star rating, low-e coating, U-factor, and solar heat gain coefficient.
- If you still have an outdated HVAC system, it’s time to give it the boot for more energy-efficient models.
- Explore how you can use renewable energy options to power up your home rather than rely solely on gas and other non-renewable power sources. Take that first step to reduce dependency on non-renewable energy and fuel by using solar panels, for example.
Implement Strategies to Better Limit Water Wastage
Reduce water consumption in your home, and you also reduce utility bills and your environmental impact.
- Find out how water is used by the entire household and by how much. Then, identify areas for conservation. If too much water is used in the garden, install automatic sprinklers. If too much water comes out of the shower, use a low-flow showerhead.
- Check for signs of leaks, especially those that are hidden beyond walls or under floors. You may not hear that annoying dripping, but water is wasted nonetheless.
- Reduce water consumption where possible, such as replacing your old washing machine with a WELS 5-star rated front-loading appliance.
Renovating for sustainability not only benefits the environment but also your wallet. The money you save from reduced water consumption and the use of eco-friendly materials is significant. Not to mention, the fulfilment you get knowing that you took steps to ensure a sustainable future. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly replacement for your existing flooring, Wilson Timbers has the right products you need.
