Home Improvements That Lessen Your Carbon Footprint

Wise homeowners seeking to make improvements to their houses this year are on the lookout for ways to add value to their home while also minimizing their carbon footprint. No doubt about it: the best way to decrease energy usage in your home is to take the steps necessary to make the house more energy-efficient. Here are some ideas for home improvements that will certainly lessen your carbon footprint and reduce your energy bills as well.

Bring in More Natural Light

Installing skylights is a great way to bring in more natural light while maintaining the structural integrity of your home. Tubular skylights are easy to install and are a great option where traditional skylights are not a possibility. Bringing more natural light into your home will decrease your dependence on electric lighting.

Keep the Heat Out

Too many homes allow the summer heat to come in either through the roof or through the windows. Once heat enters an attic, it becomes trapped and no amount of insulation can fully prevent that heat from invading your living areas. Solar powered fans are a great solution for attic heat: as their name implies, they are charged by the sun and therefore are not a drain on your electricity usage. A solar fan will draw the heat out while keeping your attic dry and free from mold and mildew damage.

Replacement Windows

If you are still living with old-fashioned single-paned windows, you are literally throwing money away each and every month in both the summer and the winter months. Getting double-paned, argon-filled replacement windows will immediately slash your monthly utility bills by as much as 40 percent, and they will pay for themselves within five years. Many windows come with UV-ray protection too.

Energy-Saving Appliances

If your home improvement plans include some new HVAC equipment, make sure to choose a furnace or air conditioner that meets the requirements for Energy-Star qualification. These amazing appliances are incredibly energy-efficient and use considerably less gas and/or electricity than their older counterparts. Not all new furnaces and air conditioners meet the criteria to be Energy Star-approved, so be sure to do your homework before purchasing and make it clear to the energy consultants you work with that you want the most efficient products on the market.

Solar powered fans, Energy Star- approved replacement windows, and Energy Star-approved appliances all qualify for 30 percent Federal Energy Tax Credits as well as any state and utility company credits as well. You can reduce your carbon footprint and save money too by making energy-wise home improvements this year.