The rising cost of living has forced many families to cut down on expenses and save money wherever possible.
While some try to control general expenses and eliminate luxury purchases from their shopping list, quite a few homeowners are taking it a step further by investing in sustainable home upgrades that will reduce spending in the long run. Adding skylights and solar-powered roof vents are just two options of many to consider.
Sustainable home upgrades to reduce costs and save energy
When you’re trying to save money, it might sound counterproductive to fork out more cash on upgrades to your home. However, given that the average person spends so much time – and money – in their homes, it’s one of the best places to start. You’ll enjoy the benefits of what you upgrade.
And fortunately, a few sustainable home upgrades will get you on the road to saving money and reducing energy costs around the home.
1. Update your lighting
Updating the lighting in your home will enable you to see cost savings almost immediately. Some of the more effective cost-saving lighting upgrades include the following:
Increase natural light: Add tubular skylights to increase natural light, which will reduce the need to have lights on all the time. These can be added without complex roof or attic renovations.
Swap out light bulbs: Change existing lightbulbs to energy-efficient LED options. Switching to LED lights will see you save on energy use.
2. Update appliances
It’s not really a secret that older appliances tend to guzzle a lot more energy than newer models. Many new home appliances are designed as energy-efficient versions. In this instance, consider following these few tips:
- Exchange the appliances you use most frequently to see an instant decrease in your energy bill
- When buying a new appliance, consider adding a home warranty to reduce potential future costs on replacements
- Opt for appliances that match your household capacity – for instance, there’s no need to choose the biggest washer or dryer if there are only two people in your home
- Choose appliances that will use less water as well – washing dishes with a dishwasher uses considerably less water than daily hand washing
- Where possible, air-dry laundry to avoid using an electrical dryer
3. Stay cool
Air conditioning units and fans are top of the list of appliances that can send your energy bill into overdrive in the warmer months. This can create quite a dilemma if you’re trying to cut costs at the same time.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to get the best of both worlds. Opting for a solar roof ventilation system or whole house fan will keep your home cool and the air fresh.
Roof Vents
One of the best ways to keep your home cool is to add solar-powered roof vents. Essentially, roof vents will draw heat from the roof space and the rest of your home, helping keep the interior spaces cooler without having to add fans and air conditioning units. To get the best from your solar roof ventilation system, keep all your doors and windows sealed properly. This solution is both cost-effective and sustainable.
Whole House Fan
A whole house fan can bring down the temperature efficiently in your home in just minutes during the hot summer months, making it a cost-effective alternative to air conditioning. In addition to this, it will also circulate natural air throughout your home year-round, improving air quality and extracting heat and odours.
4. Switch paints
Another sustainable upgrade is switching from regular paint to eco-friendly types. Is adding a fresh coat of paint to your home on your list of things to do? Then choose an eco-friendly paint to get maintenance done and make your home ‘greener’.
Since regular paint includes toxic chemicals and gasses, it’s a wise decision to opt for safer and more sustainable versions. More good news is that wallpaper is also available in environment-friendly alternatives. Be sure to use quality paint in neutral colours so that it not only lasts but remains current with whatever décor you opt for.
By supporting sustainable practices, you’re helping the global fight against unnecessary energy and resource consumption.
Where can one find the best lighting and ventilation options?
Opting for sustainable upgrades is a fantastic way to invest in your home and potentially save money in the long run. Adding skylights, solar roof ventilation systems and roof vents is an all-around win-win solution. Not only will you add more natural light to your home’s interior, but you’ll also create a healthy living space for your whole household.
The easiest way to improve the lighting and ventilation in your home is by contacting the experts at Solatube Australia. Simply call us to have our skilled technicians assess your home and provide you with a quote to reduce the energy costs in your home.
