They say change begins at home — so if you plan to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, the best place to start is your private residence.
Discover the top energy-saving tips for making your home more sustainable.
How Can a House Be Environmentally Friendly?
Small changes within the home environment lead to significant results. If you’re wondering how you can embark on building an eco-friendly home, here are 10 tips to keep in mind.
1. Choose LED Bulbs
When it comes time to replace your light bulbs, consider using LED alternatives. These bulbs use approximately 90% less energy compared to incandescent bulbs, making them one of the most eco-friendly options on the market.
Using LED lights helps to ensure quality illumination in your home while reducing your power bills each month.
2. Use Optimized Windows
Selecting optimized glass and frames for your windows regulates the interior temperature. Glazing options include insulated or low-emissivity coatings, which manage heat loss and limit the amount of ultraviolet and infrared light, respectively.
By reducing the need to control the temperature in your home, you minimize your energy consumption and ensure a more comfortable environment for relaxing.
3. Opt for Eco-Paints and Wallpapers
If you’re planning an interior renovation, you may want to consider the impact of a new wall color. Before you pick the exact hue, consider if the paint is free of volatile organic compounds (VOC.)
Choosing a non-toxic, VOC-free paint in your favorite shade helps you transform a space while limiting toxins.
4. Install Solar Panels
Solar panels convert sunlight into energy. Installing these panels on your building reduces the need for fossil fuels while adding value to your structure.
Homeowners who utilize renewable energy can power their HVAC system, lighting and appliances. Leveraging this alternative form of energy provides a reliable energy source while minimizing carbon emissions.
5. Integrate Natural Light
Windows allow natural light into an interior, helping to illuminate the space. When planning your layout, consider which rooms will need more light and plan the layout accordingly. For example, if you plan to include a home office in your setup, earmark the room with the most natural light. On the other hand, bedrooms and living rooms benefit from more subtle light making an abundance of natural light less of a priority.
6. Install a Water Filter
Water is essential for life — ensure you maintain your hydration levels by installing a water filter in your home and using reusable water bottles when you leave the house. This way, you can have fresh, purified water without putting excessive plastic into the environment.
7. Capture Rainwater
Homeowners who optimize their rainwater management can water their gardens and utilize this water in their ablutions. By installing a filter, you can ensure an even pure source of natural water.
Creating a rainwater garden is another way to make the most of this natural resource. These gardens are slightly lower than ground level, enabling them to collect water during rainy conditions.
8. Improve Your Insulation
By insulating doors, walls and ceilings, you help to keep the structure cool in summer and warm in winter. Maintaining a constant temperature eliminates the need to use heaters and air conditioners.
Less reliance on appliances equates to reduced energy usage. This not only ensures cost savings but also a more comfortable environment.
9. Schedule a Home Energy Audit
An energy audit involves specialized teams analyzing the various components of your home and tracking their energy use. Understanding which elements of your home are using the most energy enables you to replace them with more energy-efficient alternatives.
10. Buy Reclaimed Hardwood Floors
Reclaimed hardwood is wood that builders remove from an existing property and then repurpose in a new home. It’s a popular flooring option as it prompts homeowners to reuse natural materials. In addition to its eco-friendly benefits, it also offers a unique charm to homes.
Request a free sample to get a better idea of how reclaimed hardwood flooring will elevate your interior.
Building an Eco-Friendly Home
Building a more sustainable home is better for the environment and your family. Here are some benefits to consider:
- Cost-effective: Adopting greener elements in your home, such as solar energy and LED lights, reduces your energy consumption and results in monthly savings.
- Greater comfort: By integrating green building practices such as insulation and air sealing, you ensure a more regulated temperature, making spending time indoors more comfortable.
- Aesthetic appeal: There is a diverse range of renewable and recyclable building materials to choose from, enabling you to find elements that match your decor style. Materials such as reclaimed hardwood are particularly attractive, as no two planks are the same.
- Advocate for the environment: By consciously choosing more sustainable materials, you take an active role in minimizing your carbon footprint.
How to Live More Sustainably
From building smaller homes to reducing your energy consumption, there are several ways in which you can live more sustainably. Here are three ways in which you can reduce your impact on the environment:
- Reuse natural materials: Repurposing natural resources such as wooden flooring eliminates the need to cut down forests for new supplies. As trees are integral to absorbing CO2 and providing shelter for animals, this offers a dual win for the environment.
- Reduce landfill waste: The more waste we add to landfills, the more valuable land is needed for additional waste centers.
- Choose durable products: Reclaimed hardwood is a more durable flooring option — having endured numerous hot and cold cycles, it can stand up against general wear and tear in the home.
Why Trust Superior Hardwoods of Montana?
Superior Hardwoods of Montana opened its doors in 1977 with one mission — to provide top-quality wide plank flooring and other bespoke building materials. By partnering with reputable vendors, we stock a large selection of hardwood flooring varieties.
Our personalized service is another source of great pride. Each member of our team has extensive product knowledge, enabling them to give customers in-depth advice on the best flooring for their needs. By viewing each antique plank as a piece of history, we’re passionate about finding ways to give reclaimed lumber a new life.
Browse Our Reclaimed Floors to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly
If you’re passionate about making your home more environmentally friendly, reclaimed hardwood from Superior Hardwoods of Montana is a sustainable flooring option, offering unique charm and ensuring maximum longevity.
Our Heirloom Series consists of 100% hard and soft woods, each sourced from buildings over 100 years old. Explore this beautiful collection today or reach out to our friendly team for expert flooring insights!
