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March 22, 2019

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If you are like other homeowners, you probably want to incorporate eco-friendly products and green ideas into your home improvement projects. Aside from the possible tax incentives you can enjoy, installing alternative energy upgrades will show your contribution to helping save the planet. Here are some green and energy-efficient projects you can initiate at home:

Installing Tankless Water Heater

This kind of water heater is either an electric or gas water heater which can be installed inside or outside your house. Although an electric tankless water heater tends to cost less, its gas counterpart is more cost-efficient. With a tankless water heater, you save energy and avoid running out of hot water.

Using low-VOC Paint

Even a painting job can improve the look of a room. Adding a fresh coat of paint to a room is also a minor fix that home sellers can do before they list their homes for sale. But, some paints have high levels of volatile organic compounds that can cause some respiratory issues and contribute to environmental pollution. Thus, make sure to use paint with low volatile organic compounds or those that don’t contain such compounds.

Installing Green Flooring

Green kinds of flooring include the following:

  • Marmoleum flooring. This kind of flooring is made from natural raw materials like linseed soil, renewable wood products, jute, and limestone. Marmoleum floors are resistant to stains, don’t absorb water, and are biodegradable once its useful life ends.
  • Bamboo flooring. Bamboo can be installed with the knots horizontally or vertically. It is resilient and available in different colors and shades.
  • Environment-friendly wood flooring. Some kinds of hardwood like Brazilian Cherry are grown in South America. Although generally more expensive than oak, this hardwood is more resilient and harder.

Installing Water-Saving Fixtures and Appliances

Think about replacing regular fixtures and appliances with those that save water. Installing low-flow fixtures and appliances such as faucets, dishwasher, showerheads, and highly efficient toilets helps in lowering water consumption in your home. This will help you conserve water without compromising your everyday usage and comfort.

Installing Energy-Efficient Windows

Look for energy-efficient dual pane windows that are made from metal, wood, or vinyl because they provide better insulation than older, single-pane models. These windows can decrease your energy usage during the hot and cold climates. Thus, they help you save money while lowering your environmental footprint. Moreover, you can also consider double-pane windows because of their excellent soundproofing qualities.

A garage can work more than a place for storing vehicles or securing a home’s entrance. These days, many homeowners use their garage as an extra storage space. In fact, others use it as a workspace. If you are thinking about home improvement plans, a garage remodel can be one of the items in your list. Here’s why a garage remodel makes a lot of sense:

Adding Storage Space

Your garage might be acting as a spot for housing your possessions because your car is stored there. But, it can do carry a lot more. A garage storage system can be mounted on the walls to hold a variety of tools. From mounted cabinets to wall shelves, wall-mounted storage is an excellent solution for de-cluttering the garage.

Repairing Garage Problems

Over time, your garage’s concrete can crack, making for an uneven and possibly hazardous floor. A garage remodel provides the opportunity to fix the problem. This way, you don’t need to be conscious about moving your car as you back it out or retrieving your bicycles just to avoid tripping. A garage remodel can also address problems such as a leaky roof, insulation, wall gaps, and lighting or electrical problems.

Going Green

An attached garage can be made environment-friendly to improve your home’s insulation. Add insulation to the garage walls and ensure the door that leads into the house is airtight. This prevents the heat or air conditioning from leaking into the garage. Also, think about updating your lighting fixtures so that they will use less energy.

Keeping Up with your Busy Lifestyle

If your families are like others, you may be caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. You need to a space for storing your stuff. If your family enjoys sports and outdoor activities, you probably have many pieces of equipment that must be stored in the garage. Having a space for storing your tools, sports equipment, and seasonal items eliminates the need to leave them hanging by a hook on your kitchen or other areas.

Increasing your Home’s Value

Home improvements increase your home’s value and remodeling the garage offers you some additional equity. Things such as environmental features, garage storage, and new pavement can make your home more attractive to future buyers. As you plan for a garage renovation, consider what you would like for now as the owner and for the future as the seller.