It’s always good to set goals, and what better time than the start of a new year? Maybe you’re thinking of getting a gym membership, or reading more, or learning a new language. Following through to your goals could surely make those around you green with envy!
Or maybe, like many homeowners, you hope to conserve energy and save on bills in 2016 and beyond. If making your home more sustainable is one of your goals for New Year’s, you’ll love this blog post. Here are three green upgrades for your eco-friendly remodeling project.
Install High-Efficiency Windows
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Your windows can leak warm air in winter and become a source of heat in summer. That’s why it’s vital to include high-efficiency windows in your green remodeling project: Better sealing and more stable glass surface temperatures mean lower energy bills. The effect can be slight, but over time, it builds up.
In addition to high-efficiency windows, make sure you use wooden window frames (for the best insulation) with eco-safe paints.
Seal and Insulate! We mean it!
Bet you’re surprised a blog about green remodeling isn’t full of high-tech gadgets. But the key to a sustainable home is actually excellent insulation; as with high-efficiency windows, minimizing heat loss (or heat gain in summer) means your HVAC unit doesn’t have work as hard, which cuts your home’s energy requirements.
Install a Metal Roof
Wait, what? Aren’t metal roofs kind of loud and old-fashioned?
Well, there’s something to be said for old-fashioned durability. Metal roofs last way longer than asphalt shingle roofs—two to three times longer, in fact. That means installing one metal roof keeps up to three asphalt shingle roofs out of landfills.
Plus, modern metal roofs tend to look like cedar shakes or clay tiles these days, so your home won’t look so different, but its roof will survive much longer than your neighbors’. And in winter, an energy-efficient metal roof can help melt snow before it has a chance to accumulate, which saves you money if you usually attack ice dams with heat cables or rakes.
A metal roof costs significantly more than an asphalt shingle roof, but you’re paying for longevity and durability. If you’re planning a green remodel for 2016 and your roof is up for a replacement anyway, it’s something to consider.
