For many homeowners, the idea of “going green” may conjure thoughts of living in a completely self-sufficient home. While that’s an ideal scenario for some, it’s not entirely attainable for most. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for you to make your home more eco-friendly. Not only are eco-friendly designs helpful to the environment, but they’re also great for your bank account.

Are you looking to do your part?

Here are the top 5 eco-friendly design choices for your home:

1. ENERGY STAR Appliances 

Do you know that attractive blue square logo on many appliances? That’s ENERGY STAR. Anytime you see that logo, a specific dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine, or any other household appliance is deemed energy-efficient by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 

ENERGY STAR appliances don’t use as much energy to run and can save you big money on your bills. Energy-efficient models are also great for appliance recycling, a sustainable way to remove older appliances. 

2. Energy-Efficient Lights

You’ve probably heard of this before, but energy-efficient lights are some of the best ways to help the environment. Timers, dimmer, and smart lighting systems allow you to adjust the brightness and wattage whenever you need to. This effectively lowers the amount of energy to light your home. 

Consider replacing your lights with LED bulbs, which use up to 90% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs. In the end, you’ll find that you aren’t getting charged as much as before you installed energy-efficient lights. What more could you ask for?

3. Solar Panel Installation 

We know, we know. The cost of installing solar panels on your home isn’t inexpensive. However, installing a solar panel on your rooftop can generate a wealth of energy. 

Solar panels can be used as your own renewable energy source, which significantly reduces the cost of your energy bill and helps you maintain your eco-friendliness. 

In addition, you may be eligible for a residential federal tax credit or property tax exemption in some states if you decide to go solar. There are many incentives available to you to help you go green. 

4. Improve Your Insulation 

Have you noticed your energy bills steadily increasing? A big part of that may be due to poor insulation in your home. Proper insulation can hold internal temperatures for longer and requires less heating or cooling to reach your desired temperatures. 

The most environmentally friendly insulation includes:

• Sheep wool

• Cork

• Aerogel

• Polystyrene

• Cellulose

As well, you should always ensure your windows and doors are properly installed. If there are any drafts or duct ventilation issues in the home, fix them immediately. The last thing you want is to increase the amount of energy to heat or cool your house because of numerous leaks. 

5. Smart Thermostats 

For many households, heating/cooling is the number one source of energy consumption, so how can you combat this issue? By installing a smart thermostat. 

With smart thermostats, you can choose when you want the heating/cooling to come on each day by programming it. One of the best ways to use it is by programming it to lower or shut down when people aren’t at home and/or at night. 

It may seem like a simple addition, but it can greatly reduce the energy you need to achieve a comfortable temperature in your home.  

Now that you’ve read the top 5 eco-friendly design choices for your home, it’s time to put them to the test. It will only be a matter of time before you start noticing the difference in your monthly bills. Remember, going eco-friendly doesn’t just benefit you but the planet as well.