There are a ton of benefits to going green when you are working on a remodel project on your home. Everything from a lower electricity bill to a better-looking final product, to saving money now and in the future! There’s a pretty good chance that last bit of benefits caught your eye. Yeah, you can save a ton of money over the long run if you go green when you are looking to doing a remodel or building a new home. Here are a couple things to keep in mind!
Know what you’re doing and exactly what you need for it.
When you use more than you need you aren’t only wasting your time and money, you’re wasting resources that could have been used on a different project and lessened the impact of your remodel on the whole. Plan out your project beforehand, think about what you need to do to get the job done with as few extra materials as possible and do it. Also, keep in mind the kinds of materials you are using; for instance, if you are installing or improving a segment of your home that is brick and stone it is wise from an economic and ecological standpoint to use lime mortars over cement based.
The fine folks working at White’s Lumber can help you find, pick out, or order any materials you might need for a build, rebuild, or remodel.
Do a home energy audit, and buy high-efficiency light bulbs.
When you are planning a remodel, one of the most important things to think about is the way that you light the room. If you are putting in new windows, make sure you use windows that are rated to keep heat in during the winter. This will save you a ton of money on heating, and a ton of mobility when you aren’t walking around with a blanket and a Snuggie on at all times. And for when you need more light than what comes in from the windows, make sure to use energy efficient LED light bulbs and to space them around your room so as to evenly distribute light and use as few as needed. And don’t forget, you can always have a home energy audit or hire a contractor to do one for you.
Insulate and keep warm/cool and save money every month.
Remember to use draft snakes, install programmable thermostats (smart thermostats can learn when you want the heat higher or lower as well as how to conserve as much energy as possible), add insulation to your ceilings, walls, and attics—there may be home tax credits available to you to soften the immediate costs of extra insulation energy saving technology.
Use better materials now, save a bunch down the road.
If you’re using wood that you are going to be painting in a new build or remodel, use pre-primed and/or pre-painted woods. They might cost you an extra 15-20 cents per foot, but a couple years you won’t be looking at it and asking yourself why it looks faded or dull already. So, when you are looking to use paints or woods in your projects it often makes sense to buy the stuff that is premade for the job ahead. It might cost you a little bit more now, but like many things on this list, it will save you money and resources in the future. The fewer paints or varnishes you use, the better it is for your wallet and your planet.
You won’t be swimming in money like Scrooge McDuck because of keeping these things in mind with your next home project, but you will be saving money in the long run and doing a little something to help clean up your planet so there’s a place for your beautiful home to reside.