7 Eco-Friendly Home Renovation Ideas (How They Make a Difference)

Earth is a pretty nice place, don’t you think? Why not help out your home planet with some eco-friendly home renos. While you help save the planet, you can save on your energy bills and save with tax credits.

We’ve put together our top energy efficient home improvement ideas for you. Since we don’t know how ambitious you are, we’ve put them in order of how challenging they are. Let’s start with the easiest first and ramp our way up:

LED Lighting — LEDlightful

Inexpensive. Easy. Beneficial.

Here’s the strategy: purchase LED lights and wait for your current bulbs to die. You don’t even need to run around the house replacing all your current bulbs right away!

By simply having LEDs on hand, you just wait for the old ones to die and then screw in an energy efficient bulb (you’d have to replace it anyway, so it’s basically no work at all).

Note that the next step up in cost and difficulty is replacing low voltage halogen recessed or similar fixtures – for these the transformers need to be removed and the fixture rewired – so for this type of light fixture you will need professional help.

Another note is that most dimmers are not calibrated to work with LED bulbs and may need replacing.

Here’s the bonus: LEDs last longer and produce energy savings. Bye bye incandescents.

Residential LEDs use at least 75% less energy, and last up to 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting.¹

Weatherstripping — Draft-Proofing is Almost Foolproof

Keep intruders out of your home.

The intruders we’re talking about are cold drafts in the winter and warm air in the summer. They come in and steal your energy efficiency. If there are gaps around your windows and doors, that outside air will certainly find a way in.

Having an air-tight home will alleviate the workload on your heating/cooling system. This home improvement gives you two big benefits: lower energy bills and longevity for your system.

BC Hydro has great information on draft-proofing your home.

Air leakage accounts for 25-40% of the energy used for heating and cooling in a typical residence.²

Smart Thermostats — Why wouldn’t you?

Do you have a half hour?

That’s all it takes to install most smart thermostats. YouTube videos, Reddit threads, and online guides abound for every make and model of smart thermostat. This little eco-friendly home renovation will save money on your energy bills and reduce your home’s energy consumption

When everyone is asleep in the house, a smart thermostat can automatically reduce the heat. Apply the same idea when everyone is at work or away on vacation—and the heating and cooling can be programmed to kick back on or off after you leave or before you’ve returned to the house.

You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.³

Water-Saving Fixtures — Soak in the Savings

Time to stop sending dollars down the drain.

Water-saving toilets and low-flow fixtures will significantly reduce the amount of water flowing through your home. That’s good for the planet, your wallet, and your local water supply (especially if you’re in an area prone to summer droughts and water-restrictions).

Shower heads can be incredibly easy to install; often they just need to be screwed on. Faucets can be a bit more involved, although YouTube can usually guide you through. But a qualified plumber is generally your best bet and they can also replace supply lines at the same time when installing faucets or a new toilet.

Toilets account for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water consumption.⁴

Induction Cooktops — A Hot Way to Go Eco-Friendly

Numerous advantages AND energy efficiency… maybe you can have it all.

With induction cooktops, you get an eco-friendly home improvement that has all sorts of benefits: giving you precision temperature control, they both cool down and heat up faster, and use less energy!

Actually, induction cooktops themselves don’t even get hot—only the cookware does. There’s also no open flame, so they are much safer than other conventional cooking appliances and the cooktop itself will not operate without a pot or pan on the element.

While installing a new cooktop might require an electrician, the energy savings and improved cooking experience make it worthwhile.

Cooking Tops are 5-10% more efficient than conventional electric resistance units and about 3 times more efficient than gas.⁵

Energy-Efficient Windows — Get a Greener View

Out with the old and draft. In with the new and crafty.

Modern windows really do have a crafty design. They feature multiple panes, low-emissive (Low-E) glass coatings, and insulated frames. These eco-friendly elements work together to minimize heat transfer, keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The result? Lower energy bills and a more comfortable living environment.

This home renovation might require professional installation, but the long-term savings on your energy bills and the increased comfort in your home make it a smart investment.

Windows, doors and skylights can be a significant source of energy loss in your home – up to 25%.⁶

HVAC — A Reno That Pays Back

The biggest home reno, and the biggest energy savings.

A modern, energy-efficient HVAC system combined with proper insulation can drastically reduce your energy consumption. This ensures your home stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer without overworking your system.

HVAC systems are responsible for a significant portion of a home’s energy use. Upgrading to a more efficient model can lead to substantial savings. Additionally, adding insulation to your attic, walls, and floors will further enhance your home’s energy efficiency by preventing heat loss and gain. (Especially if your current insulation is older and less efficient.)

Again, this renovation is more involved and will t require professional help, but it offers the most significant energy savings and comfort improvements for your home.

A typical system accounts for approximately 40% of total building consumption.⁷

Conclusion

By making any of these improvements around your home, you can help the planet that we all call home. And not only that,you’ll lower your energy and water bills, plus you’ll be a lot more comfortable!

When you run into the home renovations that you can’t do on your own, maison d’etre is here to help you. Get in touch and let’s chat about how we can make your home more efficient for you and the planet.