Southern California is known for having incredibly mild winters, so what better time to tackle some home renovations? Plus when you take into consideration the pandemic and being stuck in the house for months on end, it’s not unusual for people to want a change.
Plus, when you take into consideration 92% real estate agents, many of which are local agents, participated in HomeLight’s 2020 Q3 survey and they say they’re experiencing a hot seller’s market. These eco-friendly projects will appease your environmental worries, but they’ll also increase the value of your home.
Let’s take a look at the eco-friendly renovation projects worth considering.
- Reclaimed, reused, recycled materials
Home renovations typically mean creating a large budget to buy new stuff – this could be cabinetry, tile, pavers, wood, and so on. But, did you know that you could find reclaimed and reused materials at your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. You can use NERC.org’s massive online resource library to locate these materials.
Why would you want to use reclaimed, reused, or recycled materials? Well, for one thing, you’re looking at savings totalling up to 50%, but you’re taking perfectly good materials to good use rather than them being tossed in the landfill.
- Energy-efficient windows and doors
Older homes are known for not being energy efficient, especially when it comes to the windows and doors. Older windows and doors aren’t insulated properly and the seals around them may be worn out. Although SoCal homeowners don’t have to worry about cold drafts coming from old windows and doors, you do have to worry about the air conditioner working overtime because the cool air is leaking outside.
Energy-efficient windows and doors can remedy all of that. Not only will the new windows and doors help keep the ambient air inside the house and cut down on energy costs, these updates will help your house look nicer and increase the value of your home whenever you decide to sell.
- Repair areas where there are air leaks
Although replacing the windows and doors will do away with possible air leaks, thanks to the new sealing, they aren’t the only places where air could escape your house. You’ll want to take the time to look at the common areas where leaks are likely to happen. This means looking at the insulation and adding more if need be.
Other areas to check out include air ducts, space where the pipes come through the walls, check attics and basements. For a full list of potential air leaks, check out Energy.gov for more details.
- Energy-efficient appliances
On top of energy efficient windows and doors, you can upgrade appliances and light fixtures as well. Energy efficient appliances should be rated C and above, an A rating indicates the item is among the most energy-efficient products.
- Solar panels
Okay, you’ve probably noticed that all of these upgrades aren’t necessarily cheap. Installing windows and doors and new appliances in particular can be quite expensive. Unfortunately, installing solar panels will also cost a pretty penny. However, they sort of pay for themselves over time because your energy bill will be lower and they increase your home’s value.
Oh! California has a program that provides financial credit for homeowners. See if you qualify for any of the subprograms by checking this program assessment released in 2020. These programs are especially useful for low-income families who wish to go solar.
Renovating your home can breathe new life into it, but it can also add value while being environmentally friendly because these days, we all have to do our part to reduce our energy consumption as much as possible!