Many people are looking to become more environmentally friendly each day. You can make some renovations to your home that will not only make you green, but also save you money every year.
Conducting a major home renovation can be expensive. However, when it comes to making green updates, many projects will not only improve the value of your home, but also result in some long-term savings. If you have been thinking about making changes, but do not have the funds to get a project started, you may be able to tap into your home’s equity with a VA or FHA refinance to free up some extra cash.
Green appliances
One of the most popular green projects is scrapping your outdated appliances with updated energy-efficient units. Appliances account for roughly 18 percent of your annual energy bill. If any of your appliances are more than 10 years old, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends replacing them. Look for the Energy Star seal. This means that those products meet strict standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.
Many appliances currently on the market use 10 to 50 percent less water and energy than older models. While replacing all of your appliances may seem costly, the long-term savings can make this move worth every cent and more.
Monitor your home’s temperature
Nearly half of your home’s energy bill comes from its heating and cooling. Ensuring these systems are working to the best of their ability is critical. This includes keeping them clean during times of heavy usage. If dust or other debris is clogging the air intakes, it can make the units work harder than they have to.
If your furnace is out of date, you should consider investing in a new one. Modern furnaces consume 25 percent less energy than those designed before the 1990s. By installing a programmable thermostat to constantly monitor the temperature of your home, you can also ensure the systems are conserving power when no one is home.
Replace fixtures to conserve water
There are many simple ways to save water, such as taking shorter showers or turning the water off while you brush your teeth. However, there are certain amenities you can install to take it a step further. A low-flow toilet uses half the water of a traditional toilet. In addition, installing aerators on all your faucets can cut down on your yearly water use by 50 percent.
If you think refinancing your home loan can help bring your house up-to-date, contact a Freedom Mortgage representative to start working on an application.
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