8 Sustainable Home Improvements You Can Make In 2024

Sustainable Home Improvements

Whether you’re planning to move or just want to make your pad more eco-friendly, consider these eight sustainable home improvements.
As we move further into the 21st century, importance of sustainable home improvement continues to grow. Not only these improvements helps the environment, but they also helps in reducing utility bills and increasing the value of your home. There are plenty of ways both big and small to make your home sustainable this year. Sustainable home improvements can not only reduce your impact on environment but also improve your health and well-being while racking up energy savings.

1. Switch to Solar Energy :

Here are some of the solar-related sustainable home improvement 2024 :

Solar Panels are one of the most effective way to make your home sustainable. By harnessing the power of the sun, you can widely reduce your reliance on fossil fuels. Advances in solar technology have made panels more efficient and affordable. Installing Solar Panels on your roof is just one way to take advantage of solar energy. Many home solar appliances have become affordable and easy to install in recent years. Additionally, today many governments offer tax incentives and rebates for solar panel installation.
Solar Water Heaters can provide a sustainable and cost-effective for reducing home energy use. They does not depend on fossil fuels and takes energy from the sun to heat stored water. It, therefore, saves money, which is a major advantage of solar heating systems. Energy from the sun doesn’t cost anything, so no charge from electrical utilities is needed.
Outdoor Solar Lights helps to reduce carbon emissions. Solar lighting also offers numerous other environmental benefits. Unlike traditional lighting, solar lights do not produce any air or water pollution during operation. They do not release harmful greenhouse gases or contribute to the depletion of natural resources.
Solar Attic-fans can help to prevent the buildup of moisture and mold in your attic space, which can have a negative impact on the air quality throughout your home. With a solar attic fan, you can enjoy cleaner, fresher air and a healthier living environment. Solar-powered attic fans provide an affordable, set-it-and-forget-it solution to keeping your attic cool and well-ventilated without drawing any energy from your home.

2. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances :

This one comes with no surprise. Energy-efficient appliances and equipment uses technologies that need less energy to reduce the amount of electricity used per product. The reason we recommend investing in these particular appliances is that your energy bill savings should pay off the price difference quickly:

- Refrigerator
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Heating/cooling appliances
- Smart thermostat
- Television
- Water heater
- Ceiling fans

Experts says that using energy-efficient devices can save you anywhere from 5% to 30% on your power bills. They helps in reducing greenhouse gas emission and other pollutants which is good for not only environment but for your health also. By using there appliances you can contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet.

3. Use Recycled, Repurposed or Reclaimed Materials :

We have all heard the phrase reduce, reuse, recycle and there should be no exception in when improving a home. New construction and renovation lead to unnecessary waste that also a lot. Many of you don’t even know where the material for your home comes from and go which you no longer need. Many homeowners don’t know that using repurposed and reclaimed materials in construction of buildings and houses can offset a tremendous amount of waste while saving money in the process. If you looking for sustainable home improvement, then consider using repurposed materials whether with new flooring, cabinets , doors, etc.

4. Install Energy-Efficient Lighting :

Switching to energy-efficient is a simple and effective way of making your home sustainable. LED lights uses up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent which not only saves energy but brings a significant change in your energy bills. In summers when you need your home cool, pulling curtains over your windows can be a great help to your air conditioner. while shopping for curtains keep in mind that light colors will keep most of the sunlight from entering your home. If you are in the process of designing your home, consider the climate while deciding the placements of windows. These little things will provide you with great and sustainable home improvements.

5. Upgrade or Seal Windows and Doors :

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 30% of home energy is lost through windows, and a lot of hot air slips out through drafty doors as well in the cool seasons. If your home suffers from high electricity bills during hot or cold months, energy-efficient windows may be a solution for you. These windows are designed to prevent your heated or cooled air from leaving your home. You can upgrade your home’s efficiency anyway by resealing them with weather stripping, caulk, glaze, door snakes or window treatments.

6. Start a Compost Bin :

Did you know that food scraps and yard waste make up over 30% of what we throw away? Considering this finding a way to reduce, reuse or recycle this waste can have huge environmental impacts. Starting a compost bin allows you to turn that waste into organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Healthy soil is important to fighting climate change, and composts allow you to contribute to the fight one banana peel or used coffee ground at a time.

7. Plant a Garden :

We could dedicate an entire article to the benefits of starting a garden at home, whether it’s a full outdoor plot or just an indoor herb garden. For brevity’s sake, here are a few of the most notable benefits gardening offers the environment and your personal health and well-being:

Plants are highly effective natural air purifiers that absorb carbon dioxide and pollutants. In exchange, they of course provide us with cleaner oxygen and fresher air.
Plants reduce erosion and improve soil health.
Pollinators like bees are the engines that run a healthy ecosystem. Adding even a few areas of pollinator-friendly plants or flowers in your garden can provide valuable habitat for animals that are otherwise experiencing widespread habitat losses.
A well-designed garden can add a great deal of value to your home. Additional curb appeal, better air quality and more biodiversity all contribute to homes selling faster than those without strategic landscaping.
Studies show that even looking at a garden can reduce stress, improve heart health, lower blood pressure and ease muscle tension. Starting your own garden provides those benefits and more.
Lest we forget, growing your own food provides you not only with delicious, healthy ingredients for meals, but also a sense of satisfaction, confidence in the quality and health of your products, and a deeper connection with the natural world.

8. Add Color With Eco-Friendly Paint :

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacturing of things like paints, pharmaceuticals and refrigerants. These compounds are emitted into the air as gasses and contain harmful chemicals and carcinogens that can cause both short-term and long-term health issues to humans and the environment. These days, VOCs are found mostly in older or cheaper products. So if you’re planning on a home improvement project involving paint, make sure to choose a product that doesn’t contain these compounds.

Making sustainable home improvements in 2024 is a smart investment for both the environment and your wallet. From harnessing solar energy to upgrading appliances and using eco-friendly materials, there are numerous ways to make your home more sustainable. These improvements not only helps in reducing your carbon footprints but also enhance your home’s comfort, efficiency, and value.

Start with these 8 ideas and a positive impact on your home as well as planet.