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3 Affordable and Eco-Friendly Home Repairs
Home repairs are a fact of life when you’re a homeowner. Depending on the damages, these repairs can take a good chunk out of your funds, particularly if you want quality materials. Eco-friendly options tend to be somewhat more expensive but, in the long run, will often save you money. Here are a few environmentally friendly options for when your home needs repairing.
- A Color Change for Your Roof
The standard dark, asphalt shingles you find on most houses are not only unrecyclable but also draw in heat, increasing your energy costs and negatively impacting the surrounding climate. With steadily rising popularity, white roofs are making an appearance in the eco-friendly market. These white roofs are comparable in price to their dark counterparts depending on the materials used. The asphalt option is the least expensive, but remains unrecyclable.
A more expensive alternative – but better in the long run – is a composite white roofing material. They are entirely sustainable and retain their light color for many years as opposed to the more rapidly fading asphalt shingles. Also unlike asphalt shingles, these unique tiles come with a 50-year warranty, making them much cheaper than the standard 20-year lifespan of asphalt shingles.
Furthermore, this change can make your home more unique and more attractive for the time you decide to sell your home. Not only will it visually stand out but you can also draw potential buyers in with the reduced energy costs, increased lifespan, and sustainability of this unique roof. Image via Pixabay by midascode
- Replace Old Appliances with More Efficient Options
If one of your appliances has bitten the dust, consider replacing it with an Energy Star alternative. Energy Star items can cost more upfront but the amount of energy saved will make it worth the extra cost. Furthermore, you can even get a tax break for simply owning an Energy Star appliance. On top of the personal gain, Energy Star appliances positively impact the planet by reducing emissions. Beyond the initial cost, there is no con to counteract the numerous pros behind an Energy Star appliance.
For things like toilets and sinks, a slightly different array of options is available. Low flush toilets reduce the amount of water used per flush. This can save hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water per year. Aerated sinks push out both water and air, reducing the water flow while maintaining water pressure. Tankless water heaters simply force water through a heating system instead of filling a tank with a limited supply of hot water. All of these options will save you money in the long run and don’t cost much more upfront.
- For Floor Repairs, Think Recycled or Alternative
Rather than using new wood and contributing to forest destruction, consider using reclaimed wood or even bamboo to make any repairs to a wood floor. Bamboo is rising in popularity as both a flooring and a building material. It grows very quickly – up to 3ft per day – and is a very sustainable alternative to more common choices like maple, oak, and pine. Some hardwoods can cost up to $10 per foot while bamboo is most often found between $2 and $5 per foot.
3 Affordable and Eco-Friendly Home Repairs
Reclaimed wood, while sustainable, is the more costly option. It runs at about $8 per square foot and may be best for repairs rather than entire floor replacements. Of course, wood floors are not a necessity. Tile flooring is also very sustainable and extremely flexible in regards to color and design. Tile is more durable but also more expensive to install.
Regardless of your home repair, there is always a sustainable or eco-friendly option whether it be bamboo floors, an Energy Star refrigerator, or a brand new white roof. With a little research, you can easily be on your way to saving money and doing your part to improve the environment.