Going green doesn't have to mean sacrificing your home's style. From countertops to synthetic lawns, there are many green updates you can make to your home. Many of the materials on the market today are renewable or recyclable, so you don't have to worry about not having enough options.
Unsure about where to start? Here are three green upgrades for your eco-friendly home.
Eco-friendly home upgrades
Install Green Countertops
Countertops are an easy way to begin making your home eco-friendly. Traditionally, plastic was the go-to choice for many kitchen countertops. But not to worry. Modern countertops are more eco-friendly.
Some materials you should consider include:
recycled glass,
bamboo,
recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council,
sustainable wood and
recycled aluminum.
TIP - Research what materials the countertops are made out of and how those materials are created and shipped before you purchase them.
Insulate Your Home
One of the best ways to make your home more eco-friendly is to have a professional install insulation. Rely on the pros to take care of this job for you to make sure it's properly installed. To understand how insulation works, you need to understand how heat operates in a home. In the winter, heat flows to the outdoors, attics and garages until there is no longer a temperature difference. During the cooler months, the outdoor heat flows into your home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Insulation helps prevent the heat or cold from escaping your home. This reduces the amount of energy you are using as well as your heating and cooling bills. Today's insulation materials are eco-friendly since they are picked from renewable sources like cotton, sheep's wool and straw to help save money and the environment.
Synthetic Turf
If you're searching for an environmentally friendly way to update your lawn, add synthetic turf. Not only does it look and feel just like natural grass, but it also significantly reduces your environmental footprint. For one, you don't have to water synthetic turfs, so you automatically decrease your water consumption. The EPA estimates that the average American home uses 320 gallons of water per day, and 30 percent of that is dedicated to outdoor use.
You also don't have to use harmful fertilizers or pesticides to keep your lawn green and thriving. Plus, you save on lawn maintenance bills and equipment, such as lawn mowers, weed wackers and trimmers. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, running a gas-powered lawnmower for just one hour is as harmful to the environment as driving a car for four hours. System Pavers offers an eco-friendly artificial turf that looks great and is gentle on the Earth.
Content provided by SocialMonsters. Feature image courtesy of Andrew Hart (Flickr)
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