Five Green Home Trends

Everywhere you turn, people are trying to update and upgrade their homes to make them more eco-friendly. Turning your home into a green home not only makes it a better — and more economical — place to live, it also helps you to increase your home’s value. The following are five of the hottest green home trends right now, ranging from simple fixes around your home to large makeover projects that will change your lifestyle for the better.

Upgrade Your Appliances

After years of use, many homeowners find that their appliances need an upgrade. When this time comes in your home, consider upgrading to energy efficient appliances, such as whirlpool refrigerators or washing machines. These energy efficient appliances maximize the use of their energy, and use fewer resources to function properly. They are proven to save hundreds of dollars each year on utility bills, and also make a positive impact on the planet as well.

Change Your Light Bulbs

You would be surprised to find out that doing something as simple as changing your light bulbs can save you money each month on your electricity bill. Go around your home and take out all the standard light bulbs from your lamps, ceiling fans and other light fixtures and replace them with energy efficient bulbs. These bulbs are brighter and use less energy, ultimately saving you money on your bill each month. This is one of the easiest green home trends out there, yet still has a big impact.

Install Solar Panels

If you are looking to do major home improvements that not only have a big impact on your energy bill but also increase the value of your home, consider installing solar panels on your home. These solar panels can be installed on your roof, allowing you to utilize solar energy for your home. While this might seem like a big undertaking, it is becoming more and more common for homeowners to have a few working solar panels on their home. This project has one of the biggest impacts on your utility bills each month, allowing you to rely less on gas and electricity and more on the resources available to you for free.

Reuse Rainwater

Reusing rainwater is a great way to save on water, without skimping on the love for your lawn and garden. Purchasing a rainwater bin from your local hardware store will allow you to collect rainwater each time it rains, and you can then subsequently use that to water your lawn and garden. Millions of gallons of water are used each year to water the lawns across the country. A rainwater bin protects our natural resources while maximizing use of the rainwater available to everyone.

Install a Composting Toilet

This is one of the larger green home renovations, and the people who choose to do this are truly dedicated to the eco-friendly movement. A composting toilet allows human waste to break down naturally so that it can be used for compost. This isn’t a project for just anyone though — you have to be truly dedicated to the cause, monitoring your toilet’s temperature and other items.

Ultimately, by improving your home and making it a more eco-friendly living space, you will begin to save money on your monthly expenses. In addition to saving some cash each year, you also can rest easy at night knowing you are doing your best to take care of the planet that we live on. These green home trends are good for you, good for your neighbors around you and good for the entire planet — so take a few minutes and have a peak around your house. The time is now to decide how you can go green.

Holly spends her active time moving her feet, a soccer ball or (when lucky) a shopping bag. She spends her inactive time blogging for Sears and “repining” green and DIY home ideas. Don’t worry, she’ll get off Pinterest and back into the gym; just hold on one more second, after this pin, and this one …

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Posted by Holly Vic on May 9, 2012. Filed under Home. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry