Photo property of Flickr’s Wicker Paradise
Whether for the sake of the environment, lower bills, or higher market price when selling, more and more homeowners are looking into transforming their homes into green spaces. Consider, homes that are more environmentally friendly and energy efficient command much higher prices. In fact, making some simple switches and upgrades can raise the value of your home by as much as 6%! When you take that added value and couple it with reduced environmental impact and reduced health hazards in the home, it’s no wonder green is increasingly seen as the way to go.
Of course, knowing all the benefits of a greener home and actually transitioning to one are two very different things. If you’re one of the many homeowners struggling to reach your goals of a greener, more valuable home, you’re in the right place. Let us show you that you don’t need to take drastic steps to make your home more eco-friendly.
Three Simple Tips for a Greener Home
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Crush Those Heatings Bills with a Programmable Thermostat
If you want a green update with a tiny bill and almost no hassle, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than upgrading your home thermostat to a programmable, automatic option. While a new thermostat will set you back some $30, it’s estimated to save you 10% overall on your heating and cooling bills throughout the year.
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Earn Huge Tax Credits by Investing in Renewable Energy
From now until 2016, installing a renewable energy power plant in your home can net you a 30% deduction when the nightmare that is tax season makes its way back around. Whether you’ve been considering a geothermal pump in your basement, small scale wind turbine in your yard, or mini-solar plant on your roof, investing now means adding a ton of value to your home, while protecting the environment and taking a bite out of your taxes.
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Replace Your Windows for an Energy Efficient, Comfortable Home
Few things have as immediate of an impact on your carbon footprint, utilities bill, and home value as new windows. Properly setting up replacement windows in your home can block out an estimated 80% of solar heat — no small thing when you’re trying to keep your home cool in the summer, without relying on a ton of costly air conditioning. Add to that the ability of energy efficient windows to hold in heat during the winter, and you’ve got the perfect upgrade for your new green home.
Now over to you: have you used these upgrades in your home? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.
