Climate reports compiled by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information show that 2023 was the warmest year on record. Last year, it was around 1.13 degrees warmer, above the long-term average, and if we continue on this path, the world will warm by a further 5 degrees by 2023.
As an eco-conscious homeowner, these statistics should give you the motivational boost you need to future-proof your home. Installing fire-proof roofing and clearing a “no burn” zone protects your property and can add value to your home.
Sustainable tech like green roofs can reduce your energy bill and help you support the local environment, too. Introducing these innovations to your home can be a real boon if you live in an area where costs associated with cooling and heating are expected to rise in the coming years.
Construction Innovations
The world of construction is changing rapidly. More construction firms are embracing renewable building materials, and many engineering companies are designing new homes with the environment in mind. As a homeowner, you should seriously consider working with eco-friendly construction firms that use sustainable building materials like:
- Straw bales for insulation;
- Hempcrete;
- Rammed earth;
- Wood and plywood.
These materials reduce the amount of carbon you use to build new structures and can improve the energy efficiency of your home. However, to truly future-proof your house, you’ll also need to make use of innovations and existing technology like:
- Class-A asphalt roofing to protect against wildfires;
- Caulking windows and cracks to improve energy efficiency;
- Creating a 15ft “no burn” zone around your house;
- Flood mitigation systems like elevated electrical wiring, flood vents, and drainage pumps.
These future-proof approaches to home maintenance reduce the risk of wildfires or floods damaging your home and protect your investment in smart home technology during a natural disaster.
Smart Home Technology
Smart speakers and AI-powered thermostats are far more than gimmicks. Today, modern architects now use AI to help build more sustainable structures, whether they’re designing new homes or extensions to existing buildings. AI can empower architects and aid your efforts to future-proof your home by:
- Installing smart lights to ensure energy isn’t wasted illuminating empty rooms
- Leveraging predictive HVAC tools to ensure that homes are kept cool with minimum energy expenditure
- Designing homes with smart flooring to allocate resources to the right rooms
- Using automated framing, including automated CAD/CAM systems, to minimize waste when ordering materials for your new structure
This smart, AI-led approach to home design is the best way to mitigate your energy waste while ensuring that you’re able to live in a safe, comfortable, eco-friendly environment. Predictive HVAC systems can reduce your energy bill and help you raise funds for more future-proofing upgrades.
Raising Funds for Upgrades
Sustainable techs like solar panels and fire-proof roofing can future-proof your home and improve your energy efficiency. However, these upgrades can come at a significant cost. According to Architectural Digest, the average cost of a solar panel installation is between $17,430 and $23,870.
Fortunately, you don’t have to foot that entire bill yourself. State and federal government offers plenty of green-upgrade incentives and may offer to pay for a portion of the installation fee. Common state-run incentive programs for sustainable tech like solar panels include:
- Renewable tax credit;
- Tax exemptions;
- Solar easement programs that spread the cost of installation.
As a homeowner, you can explore alternative lines of credit to raise funds for your next sustainable tech upgrade. Tapping into a personal line of credit can alleviate the financial strain of a sustainable upgrade and improve your cash flow. If you are considering a secured line of credit, borrow only what you need and make timely repayments to reduce total costs.
Conclusion
Future-proofing your home is a great way to protect your house and reduce your monthly energy bills. Simple changes, like caulking cracks, can be paired with smart technology like smart flooring. This can aid your efforts to raise funds for larger expenditures like solar panels, green roofs, and flood-proofing.
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