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Eco Friendly

As climate change and human infrastructure continue to affect the Earth, many homeowners have begun to do their part to reduce their environmental impact. Choosing eco-friendly home products and upgrades is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

The Basics of Eco-Friendly Home Upgrades

Eco-friendly homes are designed to use less energy and resources than traditional household systems and appliances. Besides being environmentally friendly, eco-friendly home upgrades are more energy efficient and save you money on utility bills.

Although these upgrades can be more expensive than equipment and systems that are not rated highly for efficiency, the benefits you reap over time are well worth the investment:

Reduced environmental impact
Lower energy consumption
Decreased carbon footprint
Decreased waste
Improved water conservation
Lower energy bills
Healthier lifestyle for you and your environment

There are many eco-friendly improvements you can make as a homeowner. From updating your thermostat to installing solar panels on your roof, you can make dozens of upgrades to your home. Some of the most common eco-friendly improvements you can make to your home include:

Better home insulation
Energy-efficient home appliances
Energy-efficient HVAC system and improved airflow
Energy-efficient roofing materials
Energy-efficient windows
LED lights
Smart thermostats and technology
Solar panels for energy
Solar-powered water heaters

If you are interested in installing eco-friendly home systems, you can talk to local contractors who will help you make the best decision for your home. Whether you want more efficient heating and cooling systems or you want to replace your windows, our certified contractors are ready to make recommendations for your home.

Learn more about eco-friendly home products and upgrades from the resources below.

Latest

How to Save Energy on Hot Water Heaters

To save energy and allow your hot water heater to last longer you should insulate any accessible hot water pipes, turn down the hot water heater to 120° F, and drain a bucket of water from the heater once or twice a year to remove sediment from the tank. Watch this video to find out more.

How to Reduce Waste from Plastic Coffee Stir Sticks

The waste associated with plastic coffee stir sticks may seem inconsequential until you consider that 138 billion are thrown away every year. For a greener cup of coffee, put the cream and sugar in your cup first, then pour in the coffee. If it still needs stirring, use a long piece of pasta instead.

Water Conservation: Stop Waste In These 5 Areas

Water conservation is fast becoming a priority for many homeowners. Adopt these simple water saving measures to cut your home’s water usage.

How to Build a Compost Bin (2 DIY Alternatives)

Composting lawn and garden waste is a great way to obtain organic material for your garden while reducing the environmentally negative aspects of trucking yard waste to the landfill. This DIY compost bin is easy to build and made from pressure treated wood so it will last for many years to come.

Danny Lipford standing in front of eco-friendly green home.

Small Town Green: Building an Energy Efficient Home

This home was awarded Gold Certification from the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Program. It had to meet standards for water conservation, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainable and recycled materials.

Sponges vs. Paper Towels

Paper towels account for up to 3,000 tons of waste a day. Sponges are a more eco-friendly option for clean up, since one sponge is the equivalent of 17 rolls of paper towels. To kill the bacteria and mold that can grow on sponges, put a damp sponge in the microwave on high for two minutes.