12 Ways to Make Your New Home Sustainable
Moving into a new home is a bit like starting your life anew. You have a new area to explore, new neighbours, new school for the children and a whole new home to make your own. While you are doing this, consider some of the many ways you can make your new home sustainable – environmentally friendly. If you were always going to start caring for the environment this is the ideal time to start.
There are many ways to make a new home eco-friendly and the good news is that it will often save your costs as well. Here are some tips on how to make your new home sustainable.
- Make sure all the lighting is either CFL (compact fluorescent light) or Led lighting. Not only will it save you money, but it is healthier for you than incandescent light bulbs.
- If you are still planning your new home, make sure there are lots of windows for natural lighting – and cooling. Ensure that it is oriented so that the living areas face the north or northeast so that your rooms will be warmed in the winter with natural sunlight and will be light and airy at all times.
- A low light area might benefit from the installation of a skylight for daytime light.
- Use low voc paints so that you will not have to breathe in toxic paint fumes for weeks on end. For the same reason choose natural wool carpet rather than carpet made from man-made materials.
- A light coloured roof will also help to keep your home cool – and light coloured paints will help to reflect the natural light.
- Wondering about solar panels? If you plan on staying in your new house for longer than five years, solar panels will save you money. Don’t forget you have to pay them off before you start to save. Meanwhile, they will help to save the environment as electricity from the sun is clean, with no fossil fuels being burned to produce it.
- Solar assisted hot water can also save a great deal as heating water is one of the major costs.
- If you are buying new appliances, make sure they are energy and water efficient – the star rating will tell you.
- Install showerheads that have a low flow to save water and energy costs.
- Installing exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom can remove unwanted heat and humidity and prevent mould growth as well as saving on cooling costs.
- Window tinting will cut glare, save wear and fading on curtains and carpets and help prevent loss of heat or cool air.
- Insulate your home in the ceiling and walls, then make sure that all small cracks around windows and doors are sealed.