10 Ways a DIY Approach to Home Remodeling Can Save Both Money and the Environment
Going green when renovating your home will provide you with numerous benefits. Not only will you make your home more sustainable, but you’ll also have different opportunities to cut your expenses. Most people think that eco-friendly remodeling ideas have to be expensive and time-consuming when, in fact, all it takes is to try some simple DIY projects that will help you save money and protect the environment.
1. Seal the air leaks
Air leaks around your doors and windows may affect both the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. They are a major source of energy loss, so you should definitely seal them. This is a simple DIY project that will make a big difference when it comes to your energy consumption. You just need weather stripping and caulk to seal the leaks. This can help you save around $100 and even more on electricity per year.
2. Insulate the DIY way
Insulation also plays an important role in boosting the energy efficiency of your property. Adding insulation to your home might be more demanding than sealing air leaks, but it’s still a project that you can do on your own. You’ll save a significant amount of money and ensure greater thermal comfort in your home. Once you seal the air leaks and insulate your home, you’ll cut around 11 per cent of your electricity costs.
3. Choose healthy paint
Applying a fresh coat of paint is definitely one of the simplest DIY projects you can undertake. However, you should use this opportunity to go with VOC-free paint that is much healthier and safer than the regular one. Although this paint is more expensive, you’ll be doing this yourself, so you can use the money you saved on hiring professionals to buy low-VOC or VOC-free paint.
4. Repurpose your old materials
You probably have a lot of old materials lying around, so why not give them a new purpose? You can repurpose old wood, brick, roof shingles and other materials and use them for a new project. For example, if you have an old closet, you can disassemble it and use the wooden planks and boards to design new kitchen cabinets.
5. Move your belongings on your own
If you’re preparing for a big remodeling project, you’ll need to transport your furniture and other items to a temporary location. This will protect your belongings from damage and enable you to remodel your home more efficiently. You’d be surprised to learn that this is another opportunity to save both money and the environment.
Namely, instead of going back and forth transporting your furniture in your car, which pollutes the environment and requires a lot of money for petrol, you should hire a moving truck. Keep in mind that renting a truck is more affordable than hiring a full-service moving company. You can find a great company that can meet your needs and offer you great deals.
For instance, the Budget truck rental agency provides its clients with affordable rates, special discounts and a fleet of different vehicles. So, instead of wasting your money on petrol or hiring a moving company, you can rent a truck, cut your expenses and save the environment.
6. Go small and eco-friendly in the kitchen
Remodeling your kitchen can boost the value of your property significantly if you know which improvements to undertake. A major kitchen renovation will cost you a fortune while bringing a low return on your investment. Instead, you should go with smaller upgrades that will improve the condition of your kitchen. For instance, you can simply replace your countertops with eco-friendly ones made of stone or concrete. You can also style up your cabinets by repainting them or change the hardware. You can find great fixtures at flea markets, which is a great way to save money and contribute to waste reduction.
7. Install energy-efficient lighting
Switching to energy-saving lighting is one of the simplest and most affordable green upgrades. LED lighting is the most popular option and it’s slowly replacing incandescent lights. Although LEDs are more expensive initially, they consume significantly less energy and last longer, so they will definitely pay off in the long run. What’s more, this is a simple project that you can do on your own.
8. Apply wallpaper
If you can’t afford to buy VOC-free paint, you can go with removable wallpaper instead. Wallpaper will freshen up your interior and give it a new, stylish flair without filling it with VOCs. In addition, it’s a budget-friendly way to introduce a sense of novelty into your space. Once you get bored, you can try out a new wallpaper design.
9. Buy vintage and pre-owned
When renovating your home, you don’t have to buy brand-new items. You can find pre-owned objects in excellent condition. Not only are they more affordable than new ones, but they’ll also give your space a unique vintage look. In addition, this will contribute to waste management and relieve pressure on natural resources.
10. Clean your vinyl siding
When it comes to the curb appeal of your home, vinyl siding can make a big difference. If your old vinyl siding is still in great condition, but slightly dingy, you just need to give it a good scrub. Grab a long-handled scrub brush, garden hose, high-quality green cleaner and some elbow grease, roll up your sleeves and get down to business. This is a simple, affordable and eco-friendly way to freshen up your home’s exterior.
Undertaking home remodeling projects can be both eco- and budget-friendly. These simple DIY ideas will help you improve your home at an affordable price and in an environmentally friendly manner.
What home projects have you tried yourself? Do you have any helpful DIY eco-friendly home improvement tips or ideas that you would like to share in the comment section below!
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