Ready, Set, Summer! Tips for an Eco-Friendly, Summer Home
Our summers are getting hotter. The frenzy of activities during this period is to blame for the worsening summer heat. The earth responds by making the heat unbearable. No wonder we keep dealing with wildfires, insurmountable carbon levels, and surging plastics covering our seas and lakes. Be environmentally focused and conscious this summer. Use the opportunity to appreciate nature. Take a step further and protect the environment by embracing Eco-friendly living. You can start the journey by making your summer home eco-friendly.
Don’t know where to start? Here are five tips that will make your summer home eco-friendly.
Photo by Vivent Solar
Think Renewable
When building or renovating your summer home, switch to renewable building materials and energy sources. Using sustainable building materials allows a homeowner to conserve the environment and increase resource efficiency. It prevents the destruction of resources that are core to earth’s survival.
If you intend on renewing your floors, use sustainable building materials such as bamboo instead of depleting the earth’s dwindling reserves. It’s durable and sustainable. Use sustainable wood, stone, and roofing to ensure resource efficiency when building or renovating your summer home.
Also, switch to renewable energy sources such as the sun, geothermal, wind, or water. Solar energy illuminates, heats, and powers our homes without diminishing the earth’s natural resources. Moreover, you can power your home without inflating your carbon footprint. You can harvest and store solar energy for later use. To make this possible, involve home builders skilled in sustainable building. Talk to green energy experts to help you install systems that allow the harvesting and storage of renewable energy.
Install Energy Saving Appliances
Home appliances make our chores easier and save time. But using these appliances may come at a cost. If they have poor energy ratings, they may cause lots of energy-wasting and increase your household’s carbon footprint. Therefore, consider switching to energy-efficient appliances to save energy.
Switch to energy star-certified ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, lighting, fans, or HVAC equipment. Washing machines are notoriously known for consuming and wasting lots of energy. To reduce your summer home’s energy consumption, think of switching to cold or warm washes, full loads, and sun-drying clothes.
LED lighting illuminates your home without consuming or wasting energy. Additionally, they are affordable and last longer. It’s a perfect alternative to brighten your summer home. Digitalize how your HVAC equipment heats and cools your home. It will be good to let a digital thermostat accompany the HVAC system to prevent energy wastage.
An energy-efficient fridge will reduce your energy bills while conserving the environment. Therefore, check the fridge’s energy star rating before purchasing one.
Repurpose
Don’t dispose of building or renovation leftovers. You can use the leftover brick, wood, or stone to create an outdoor bench or an outdoor fireplace. You can use such material to upgrade or repair damages around your home. Also, repurposing prevents unneeded purchases, reduces waste, and lowers your household’s carbon footprint. Repurposing also reduces the need to ship new materials to the site. Hence, reducing shipping emissions throughout the construction process. It also prevents excess logging and unearthing.
If you’re uncertain about how to repurpose construction leftovers, talk to your home builder. They have the skill to turn such wastes into usable products.
Locally Sourced Products Saves the Earth
Keep your supply chain closer to the building site. Locally sourced building materials offer more flexibility and control. It also reduces construction costs and helps conserve the environment. Since the supply chain is closer to the construction site, the supplier will reduce their carbon emission as they ship the materials to the site. You get to minimize your carbon footprint as you look for construction material. It is a significant step if you’re taking the sustainable route.
Recycle
The waste disposal methods we use in our homes often harm the environment. We are filling the earth’s landfills with items that can serve other purposes and non-biodegradable items. But we can minimize the harm through recycling.
Think of incorporating recycling into your home’s waste management system. Consult builders who can help install a recycling system or equipment to help you make your home more eco-friendly.
Consider installing greywater recycling systems to reduce the wastewater released into the municipal sewer system. It’s also an affordable means to incorporate recycling into your home’s waste management processes.
You can also use recycled materials while constructing or renovating your summer home.
A Wrap
Make the hot summers bearable with an eco-friendly home. Switching to sustainable energy, energy-saving appliances, recycling, shortening shipping distances, or repurposing items can help reduce your household’s carbon footprint. It will, in turn, lead to a few hotter summers and a healthy planet. While incorporating one of these ideas is great for the environment, fully immerse yourself in the green building initiative to make a significant difference. Nonetheless, these tips will help you build an eco-friendly summer home.
Author: Olivia Simmons
