Top Four Green Home Improvements to add Value to your Home

Nowadays “Green” home improvements are moving to the top of  homeowners’ priority lists.  “Green” can be described in numerous different ways, depending who you ask of course, but ultimately there is one basic recipe: environmental friendliness. Wood and granite countertops are not the only environmentally friendly upgrades you can make. You should start with factors that affect your utility bill so you are not using unnecessary energy. Large utility bills are completely preventable!  Energy efficiency is now becoming standard in many new construction homes and has significantly increased in existing homes. Ultimately, all  “green” projects around the home should reduce the monthly utility bill and be kind to the environment.  Energy reduction is the key component to being “green”. We would like to provide you with the top 4 ways to go about achieving this.
 
Top Four Home Improvements to convert your home to Green Friendly:

1. Energy Star Kitchen: One of the more obvious green home improvement investments is the kitchen. It should be on the forefront of your home improvement checklist. The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s the room that sets the mood when a potential buyer walks in. In addition, it’s where most of the major temperature creating electrical appliances are located. Temperature products are the bread and butter when it comes to your utility bill. Energy Star dishwashers, refrigerators, and washer/dryer sets are a must-have!

2.  Attic Insulation: Spray foam insulation is the best LONG term investment you can make when it comes to your home. Your attic is where heat escapes during winter months, then seeps through over the summer months. Attics can reach extreme temperatures of 170 degrees during the summer if they are not properly insulated. Now is the perfect time for you to take a peek into your attic and see what type of insulation you have. The problem with old insulation is that it compresses over time and looses it’s efficiency. Spray foam insulation lasts FOREVER! It never looses it’s efficiency or needs to be replaced! It also reduces your utility bill by a dramatic 30-40%!!! Now THAT is being “green”!

3. Maintain Temperature:  Upgrading to a programmable thermostat is definitely a smart move. Not only is it easy, but it’s one of the least expensive “green” home improvements you can make. It’s almost a staple for any home nowadays. There are also Remote Learning thermostats that you can control from your smartphone or computer. You can adjust your thermostat right from your office before you begin your commute. That way the temperature of your home will be just the way you like it by the time you pull into the drive. We will see this type of temperate management a lot more in the future with products such as The Nest.  It has sensors that will learn your home habits and operate accordingly. Depending on which programmable thermostat you purchase, return on investment will range somewhere in between 4 months to 1 ½ yrs.

4.  Energy Star Windows: If you have single pane windows,  you may want to move this one to the top of your list. Old windows cause drafts that affect your heating and cooling costs. Energy Star windows are the way to go. When upgrading your windows, make sure the the ones you choose are double-paned and filled with argon gas for maximum energy efficiency. An upgrade like this can save you up to 25% on  your electric bill!

Green home improvements are wonderful investments.  They are worth every penny because they pay for themselves. If you can reduce your energy use, you are reducing negative impact on the environment. Best of all, energy efficiency increases your home’s value.