Homeowners planning to renovate their property tend to focus on making it more comfortable and aesthetically appealing. Although this approach if great for your immediate needs, you also need to factor in how your renovations would benefit you for the long term. Therefore, you may want to consider incorporating eco-friendly features that would make your home more efficient and in turn even reduce your household's operational costs. The following tips can help you make the most of remodelling your house and transform it into an environmentally friendly and energy efficient residence.

Install new insulation in your home

The first thing to consider when giving your home an extensive makeover would be the installation of new insulation. Starting with this step is advisable so that any other changes being made to the house such as siding, new roofing, re-plastering the residence and more can be carried out after the installation. Insulation is particularly beneficial in Australia due to the erratic temperature changes all year round. Without adequate insulation, you will find that your home will be vulnerable to heat gain, which in turn increase your air conditioning usage.

Switch to energy efficient windows

Another great investment for your home when embarking on a makeover would be the window replacement. Gone are the days when the annealed glass was adequate for residential windows, as their only function is to let in light. If you are concerned about heat loss and gain in your home, you would be better off installing double or triple glazed windows. The glass used to manufacture these windows is designed to minimise heat loss during the winter while also protecting your home from heat gain during the summer. Moreover, double glazed windows can be purchased with ultraviolet coatings that would prevent harmful UV rays from penetrating your residence and wreaking havoc on your upholstery, carpeting or even your hardwood flooring.

Invest in a water tank

As more and more parts of Australia succumb to drought, water has become an increasingly precious resource. If you are not mindful of your water usage, you may find your bills skyrocketing as your family grows. A simple solution to contend with this would be engaging in rainwater harvesting. Investing in a water tank that is connected to your household will ensure that you have a reliable supply of water that is virtually free! Not to mention that the same rainwater can be used for other applications around the home such as gardening, irrigation systems and anything else you can think of plumbing it to.

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