In honor of Earth Day, we have rounded up the best environmentally friendly home improvements that will positively impact the health of your home and the planet.

On April 22, we celebrate Earth Day to raise awareness for environmentally friendly measures to help preserve the planet we call home.

We think that action should begin in our homes by creating eco-conscious environments that not only support our families and lifestyles but protect our larger surroundings rather than contribute to their demise.

“Many green investments help save the planet, but they can also save you money over time as you spend less on energy or water,” said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. “Even if you decide to sell your home in a few years, potential buyers may be willing to pay more for your home if they know that their energy or water bill will be less than home next door.”

How we build our homes impacts the health of everything around us. In addition, they can be costly to maintain and emit substantial waste.

Green initiatives, however, can offset those consequences by using fewer resources. Some are simple swaps, while others are long-term investments that will ultimately save money and valuable resources.

Read on to get started with eight ways to transform your home environmentally friendly, with insight from Redfin experts.

 

Use sustainable, locally-sourced materials whenever possible

This eco-friendly practice uses abundant resources in a given region, such as stone, wood, and other natural materials. Other methods include re-purposing and recycling products and reclaimed wood and furniture that previously served another purpose. 

Many architects and contractors use this process in construction to reduce waste and construct homes with a stronger conscience.

 

Invest in energy-efficient appliances

If you are looking to buy a home, look for Energy Star certifications, which indicate a home, or the appliances within the home, meet standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

These can include energy-efficient appliances, such as energy-efficient refrigerators, designed to require less electricity in the kitchen, as long as HD TVs, heating and cooling devices, and doors and windows. 

Also known as smart-home technology, these amenities include thermostats like the popular Nest system, which enable homeowners to create an environmentally friendly (and budget-friendly) ecosystem that conserves energy for heating, cooling, and lighting.

 

Consider powering your home with solar panels

Solar panels harness the sun’s energy to cost-effectively increase a home’s energy-saving and energy-producing potential. Once the initial investment in panels is made, the sun’s power is free and can be used to supply the house when you need it most.

Adds Redfin agent Paul Reid, “Tech that helps your home use energy more efficiently is more likely to enhance the value of your home. For example, a fully interconnected solar panel system that generates power for battery backup has a real and direct impact”.

In addition to powering your home, the sun can also heat it. Solar thermal systems can heat water (or glycol in cold climates) for showering, bathing, doing dishes, and other household activities.

Using a solar thermal system is ideal for conservation, as they tend to save owners between 60 to 70 percent a year on heating and utility bills.

 

Use an electric car and install a port to charge it at home

Did you know that if you own an electric vehicle and charge it at home, the cost to run your car over a year can be less than operating your air conditioner? That’s pretty cool stuff, knowing that residential charging is convenient, inexpensive, and saves energy from not having to go back and forth to public charging stations.

“Electric cars are better for the environment than traditional cars because they do not emit harmful exhaust fumes that contain carbon monoxide,” said Fairweather. “And you get bonus green points for charging your electric car in your home using electricity from a renewable source like solar panels.”

 

Heat and cool your home efficiently

When heating or cooling your home, it is easy to let the energy go to waste. However, poor insulation is often the core factor in determining whether environmentally friendly heating and cooling choices impact.

Insulation reduces energy expenditure by containing the elements needed to make a home comfortable. 

Some windows reflect UV rays and heat to keep homes cooler but not darker–like SPF for the house! “I installed tints on the windows of my home,” said Fairweather. “In the summer months, it makes a difference when the sun is beating down. There is not nearly as much glare, and it keeps the house cooler too”.

You can also save on heating costs by heating only the rooms you use instead of the whole house. “My home was built in the 1950s and originally had an oil-heater,” continued Fairweather. “We replaced that dirty heating system with mini-split electric heat pumps that have temperature control for each room. As a result, the carbon impact from electric heat is less than oil, and we can use less energy because we only heat the bedrooms at night and are not wasting energy heating empty rooms”.

 

Conserve more water

While droughts are most prevalent in certain areas, water is still a precious resource we all need. Rainwater harvesting and investing in water conservation tools help protect water and save money if you plan on gardening in summer.

In addition, intelligent irrigation systems adapt to soil and light conditions and may even know to prepare for impending inclement weather.

 

Look for LEED certification

LEED, or, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, means that a building is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as built using efficient, sustainable materials.

If you are thinking about buying a new construction home, work with architects and contractors specializing in environmentally friendly LEED buildings. Being certified can mean higher resale value while promoting healthier and cost-efficient living.

 

Replace traditional bulbs with more efficient lighting

LED stands for light-emitting diode and is an intelligent way to light your home. They are energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than conventional bulbs, delivering from 20,000 to 50,000 hours.

In addition, because they are replaced less frequently, they can lower your carbon footprint while saving cash. And of course, you always have natural light, which is gorgeous and free.

 

Want more help going green? 

Redfin recently ranked the “greenest” cities based on metropolitan areas according to the percentage of houses for sale that mentions the keyword ‘green.’

We also incorporated Redfin’s Transit Score® to highlight the places where public transit is available, convenient, and in effect, environmentally friendly. Click here to read the full report.

 

The company you are looking for in New Jersey for your home

If you are interested in acquiring your new home or selling the one you already have, do not hesitate to contact our EXP Realty consultants. We guarantee quality attention and the best homes in the area, with personalized marketing strategies to achieve the most significant benefit.

You will not regret working with us because we seek your best interests. Our clients certify them.