Spring is a time of change, with cold days and dark nights gradually giving way to blooming flowers and brighter sunshine. For some homeowners, this season can also mean undertaking renovation work to create a fresh new look in keeping with the equinox.
As much as we might want to enhance the look and feel of our living spaces, sometimes renovations can do more harm than good to the environment. For this reason, it is within all our interests to implement eco-friendly practices that will spruce up your home while minimising your carbon footprint.
Subsequently, if you are planning a spring clean renovation, here are some tips to bear in mind.
1. Sustainable Waste Management
It doesn’t matter how big they are, renovations result in a mess. Therefore, it is crucial to minimise the amount of waste you will inevitably create.
You can do this by donating usable items to local charities or recycling centres and composting organic waste – which will not only reduce landfill contributions but also create nutrient-rich soil for gardening.
If you have any hazardous materials left over, such as batteries or paint cans, it is important to ensure they are disposed of responsibly at designated drop-off locations. All other rubbish should be taken to the local refugee tip.
If you don’t want to do this yourself, you should consider eco-friendly rubbish removal in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or any other major city in Australia. Some jobs are best left to the professionals.
2. Reusing and Repurposing
During your renovation project, it is a good idea to reuse and repurpose as many materials and items as you can. Doing this will enable you to reduce the amount you send to landfill and breathe new life into your home with unique designs that mean you don’t have to buy anything new.
If you don’t have much that you can upcycle, take a trip to your nearest salvage yard or architectural salvage store. Also check out online marketplaces. You might be able to find reclaimed wood, antique fixtures, and items you can incorporate into your designs.
3. Energy-Efficient Appliances
One of the best renovation upgrades you can make for a spring clean is to invest in energy-efficient appliances that bear the ENERGY STAR label.
These appliances are designed to consume less energy while delivering optimal performance, therefore helping you save on electricity usage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The likes of refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers all come with ENERGY STAR-certified options that are worth exploring.
4. Energy-Efficient Lighting
As well as appliances, one of the simplest yet most impactful changes you can make during a renovation is to switch to energy-efficient lighting.
By replacing incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL alternatives you will use significantly less energy. The bulbs also last much longer, which in turn reduce your electricity bills and overall environmental impact.
To save energy and costs even further, you might want to install sensors or timers to automatically turn off lights when they’re not in use.
5. Insulation
Many of the older homes in Australia were built without decent insulation. Therefore, winters are often very cold in them and summers unbearably hot.
For this reason, you might want to put in proper insulation to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling. If you do this, opt for eco-friendly insulation materials such as cellulose, recycled denim, or sheep’s wool, which offer excellent thermal performance without harming the environment.
Although it involves an upfront investment, properly insulating your home will enhance its energy efficiency and should lead to long-term savings on heating and cooling costs.
6. Install Water-Saving Fixtures
It is also a good idea to upgrade your plumbing fixtures to low-flow alternatives, as this will substantially reduce your water usage and therefore lead to lower utility bills.
Low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads will minimise your water wastage without compromising on their performance.
Try to find products with the WaterSense label, as they meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s water efficiency criteria.
7. Eco-Friendly Paints
If you fancy giving your home a lick of paint, make sure you choose eco-friendly paints such as limewash that are low in VOCs or VOC-free. Traditional paints often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that release harmful chemicals into the air, contributing to indoor air pollution and posing health risks.
Eco-friendly paints are available in a range of colours from quality paint and hardware stores.
