Green Interior Design: Top 5 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Did you know that half of the United States renewable energy goes toward electricity alone? Consider the fact that we spend 90% of our time living and working indoors. Now let’s think about that for a minute. How much energy is used to heat and cool your space? Do you use a lot of electronics, lighting and appliances to work efficiently? The good news is there are things you can do to save both energy and money! All that adds up. So before you remodel your home to lower your energy costs, here are the Top 5 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient.

Image via: Tesla Solar Roof

Everyone has GREEN on the mind, and we’re happy to see the world finally taking it seriously. Sustainable Living will not only will you save money, but you’ll consume less energy and live a healthier and more comfortable life indoors. Although we’ve seen a lot of positive change over the years, we’re ready for another major upgrade to really make our homes more sustainable.

GREEN HOME SOLUTIONS:

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENT

1. REPLACE WINDOWS

If you only did one thing to change your energy consumption, replacing the windows in your home would be the best way to do it. You’ll be absolutely amazed at the difference!

Temperature Control
Most new windows are now dual pane with a slight tint. This means your house won’t overheat in the summer, or freeze over in the winter. Other than insulation, installing new windows is the best way to keep the outside temperature outside, and your most comfortable temperature inside.

Sound Control
Dual pane does double duty by keeping all that noise pollution outside. We’ve had clients who live near a railroad track, a busy highway, beneath a flight path. They can’t tell us enough how it’s given them such peace not to hear the disruptive loud noise and vibration every 10 minutes.

Style Upgrade
Upgrading your windows for curb appeal will give your home an incredible make-over.

Increased Home Equity
Investing in your home will give you a return of about 80% ROI – one of the most valuable home improvements you can make.

For more information on purchasing new windows, head over to Lion Windows and Doors.

Energy Efficient Windows Modern Home Exterior

2. SOLAR PANELS, SHINGLES & TILES

Solar Panles are one of the best ways to harvest clean energy directly from the sun, rather than using fossil fuels.

According to USGBC, the Top 4 Benefits of Installing Solar Panels are:

Reduce or Eliminate Energy Bills
Earn Tax Credits and Rebates
Start Saving At Installation Date
Help the Environment and Climate Change

We gotta hand it to Elon Musk and Tesla for bringing high style and clean energy together. There is a technology and energy revolution happening right before our eyes, and we’re loving it.

Check out the way these solar tiles and solar shingles make the roof look completely cohesive, rather than adding a few panels on top of an existing roof. Tesla is offering a complete solar roof, and it looks so good!

Image via: Tesla Solar Tiles

Image: Tesla Solar Tiles, Spanish Style

3. ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES

Luckily, home appliance manufacturers have been making their products Energy Star certified for years now.

Here’s a friendly reminder to look for special holiday weekend sales to grab the best deal on Energy Efficient Appliances.

Now that you have the most efficient home appliances, here are a couple more suggestions on
How to Cut Down on Electric Consumption at Home:

Wash Dishes and Laundry in the Evening
Wash on Cold Whenever Possible
Hang Clothes to Dry Outside in the Sun
Unplug Electronic Devises When Not in Use
Set a WiFi Timer to Turn Off Between Midnight to 6 am.
Use Energy Efficient Light Bulbs with Fixtures on a Dimmer Switch
Set Thermal Control for Heating and Cooling

Image via: Thermador

Image via: Kelsey Leigh Design

Image via: Lissa Lee Hickman

Contemporary Kitchen Design Modern Mediterranean

4. ADJUST LIGHTING

Our bodies and brains naturally respond and function best when using natural light. Whenever possible work outside or next to a window rather than turning on overhead lights. Trust me, you’ll look great on that zoom call!

Dimmer Switch
Of course, there are times, especially in the evening, when you’ll need light in order to cook, read, and you know, walk around the house without falling or running into furniture. Installing a dimmer switch will help reduce energy costs and keep the mood right by regulating your circadian rhythm to prep your brain for sleep.

Bulbs
LED Bulbs are great of course, because they last such a long time and use so little electricity. When selecting a bulb, look for warm white or 2700 Kelvin rather than a bright white that tends to run cool blue.

Dimmable LED Amber Light Bulbs

5. ADJUST HEATING & COOLING

A simple way to avoid any heat gain inside your home is to pull the blinds, roman shades or drapes during the warm summer months. Drapery Sheers are another way to filter bright light from entering the room, and they give an additional softness to the space.

With the new programmable Thermostat Tech devices like Google Nest, Ecobee or Honeywell, you can set it and forget it. It’s best to keep your inside temperature set at 78 in the summer and 68 in the winter.

Don’t forget to clean your filter every 3 to 6 months to keep your HVAC running smoothly. Indoor air quality is at it’s best when using a fresh filter. Better yet, consider installing a HEPA filter for maximum air quality control.

Image via: TechHive

For the ultimate and most comprehensive guide to sustainable design, pick up the 2nd Edition book Green Interior Design by Lori Dennis and Courtney Porter. An essenial for any DIYer to a luxury home builder!

TOP 5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT | by Sara Plaisted