If you are one of the many people who have recently purchased your first home thanks to a government tax rebate incentive or simply because you have been saving a while for this day, it's likely you'll want to improve your home to make it your own. Green improvements just may be the way to go.
As a first-time homeowner, there are a myriad of things you must learn about your new place. You may not be familiar with how to embark on home improvements, never mind how to make these improvements environmentally friendly.
Here are some improvements to consider that are eco-conscious and could help you save considerable money over the life of your investment.
* Install a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand -- as you need it. Therefore, you don't waste energy repeatedly heating 50 gallons of water to be stored in a tank. Electric models cost less, but gas ones tend to be more efficient. The added benefit is you'll never run out of hot water.
* Lay down a cool roof. White or light-colored roofs will reflect sunlight and keep the house cooler in the process. This means exhaust fans in attics will have to run less, and you won't need to turn the air conditioning on as high.
* Ask to use reclaimed wood. If you're hiring out repair work or adding an addition, find out if you can use reclaimed wood. Reclaimed or salvaged lumber can be used for a variety of reasons, such as to build walls, as support beams, or in roof construction. Many companies specialize in obtaining building materials from older homes that are about to be torn down or dismantled. They turn the wood into product for newer construction.
* Use low VOC paint. One of the first improvements new homeowners generally make is changing wall colors, which is easily achieved with some paint. Traditional paint is high in volatile organic compounds, which can be hazardous to the environment and your health. Choose low-VOC paints and breathe easier. Most are comparable in price to other paints.
* Use eco-friendly flooring. Bamboo flooring is made from the highly renewable resource. Bamboo is actually a grass and grows very quickly -- the opposite of trees for traditional lumber. Bamboo comes in a variety of colors, too. Other options are composite products, such as linoleum floors made from natural raw materials that are bound together with natural oils and resins.Tags: green improvements homeowner voc paint bamboo flooring
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