Investing in Green Homes – What To Do And Things To Avoid

Posted on: Mar 18, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Investing in Green Homes – What To Do And Things To Avoid

Investing in green homes or eco-friendly properties is not just a popular trend, it's a shift towards a more sustainable lifestyle. The allure of decreasing your carbon footprint, combined with the long-term savings on utility bills and the increasing value of sustainable properties, makes this an attractive option. However, just like any other investment, green homes come with their own set of do’s and don'ts. Certain upgrades can substantially increase a home’s value, while others may not have the expected impact or could even become money pits.

Knowing what to look for, the appropriate measures to take, and potential pitfalls to avoid can make a huge difference. So before jumping in, it is critical to familiarise yourself with the nuances of investing in green homes to ensure you're making a decision that's beneficial to both your wallet and the environment. Also, to ensure that your property is secured from any kind of natural calamities or man-made disasters invest in a comprehensive home insurance policy.

Benefits of Building A Green Home

Building a green home goes beyond contributing to the preservation of the environment. It offers homeowners tangible, long-term benefits like significant energy savings, enhanced health and well-being improved quality of life, and remarkable economic advantages. With technological advancements and the increasing availability of green building materials, achieving an eco-friendly home has never been more accessible.

1. Lower energy consumption

One significant benefit of building a green home is reduced energy consumption. These houses utilise sustainable materials and innovative technologies, including solar panels, high-efficiency appliances, and advanced insulation, that can cut electricity use dramatically. This, in turn, leads to lower utility bills, enabling homeowners to save significant money over time.

2. Improved Indoor Air Quality

Green homes ensure better indoor air quality. By utilising non-toxic materials and green building practices that reduce dust and allergens, they protect residents from various health issues associated with poor indoor air quality. Also, such houses often incorporate designs that allow for natural ventilation, providing a healthier living environment.

3. Enhanced Home Resale Value

Green homes often have higher resale values than their conventional counterparts. With an increasing number of homebuyers prioritising energy efficiency and eco-friendliness, the demand for eco-friendly homes is growing. Moreover, owning a green home means you can qualify for various green home certifications, which can boost your property's value even further.

4. Water Efficiency

By incorporating water-saving technologies like rainwater collection systems, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and efficient irrigation systems, green homes optimise water use. This not only results in substantial water bill savings but also plays a critical role in conserving a vital natural resource, which is especially important in regions suffering from water scarcity.

5. Reduced Environmental Impact

The environmentally friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies used in green homes result in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. By choosing to build a green home, you can actively contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and overall environmental impact, promoting a healthier and more sustainable planet.

Tips to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly

With climate change and sustainability becoming ever-increasing concerns, making your home eco-friendly is more crucial than ever. Implementing simple changes in our homes can make a significant difference in the environment. Making your home eco-friendly not only helps conserve resources and reduce pollution but can also save money in the long run. Having a property insurance will also ensure that your eco-friendly home stays protected from any untoward damages due to factors that are beyond your control.

Here are some effective ways to turn your eco-friendly home into a green and sustainable space.

1. Swap in Some Led Bulbs

LED bulbs are a smart and sustainable choice, beneficial in conserving energy and decreasing overall energy demand. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, they are substantially more efficient, using about 75% less energy. This energy reduction means a lower carbon footprint, which helps to protect the environment. Notably, LED bulbs have a considerably longer lifespan, lasting up to 25 times longer than their traditional counterparts. As a result, you will save money on replacements and reduce waste. This makes LEDs a cost-effective and environmentally friendly lighting solution.

2. Use More Rags, And Fewer Paper Towels

Choosing to decrease your usage of paper towels has a direct effect on reducing overall waste produced by households. Utilising alternatives such as rags or reusable cloths not only promotes sustainability but also contributes significantly towards reducing environmental impact. Repeated washing and reusing of these cloths lead to a drop in the demand for disposable paper products. Lower demand for these products can lead to reduced deforestation as fewer trees are cut down to produce paper goods. Additionally, it lessens pollution produced during the manufacturing and transportation process of these goods. Thus, limiting your use of paper towels fosters a healthier, more sustainable environment.

3. Clean the Fridge Coils

Fridge coils, an essential component of your refrigerator's cooling system, can become coated in dust and dirt over time. When this happens, your fridge needs to expend extra energy in order to achieve its usual level of performance. Essentially, the accumulated grime forms a barrier that hampers the transfer of heat, forcing your refrigerator to work harder and use more energy to cool your food. By regularly cleaning these coils, you can ensure your fridge runs more efficiently. A more efficient refrigerator requires less energy for its operation, which in turn leads to lower energy bills. In addition, a clean fridge coil also increases the longevity of your appliance, ensuring better overall performance. Thus, regular coil maintenance is both economically and environmentally beneficial.

4. And the Filter on Your Dryer

Keeping your dryer's filter clean is not just essential for its optimal performance but also plays a significant role in maintaining energy efficiency. When the filter is clogged with lint, the dryer must work harder to achieve its purpose, thereby increasing its energy usage. Over time, this higher energy demand adds up and contributes to increased household energy consumption. As a result, it inadvertently contributes to a larger carbon footprint via increased greenhouse gas emissions. By merely ensuring regular cleaning of your dryer filter, you can not only boost the machine's efficiency but also contribute towards reducing energy consumption and, ultimately, mitigating climate change.

5. Line-dry Whenever Possible

By making a conscious effort to line-dry your laundry whenever possible, you are playing a part in conserving valuable resources such as electricity. This simple switch from using an energy-consuming drying machine to air-drying clothes reduces our reliance on fossil fuels for power generation. Moreover, this traditional method of drying laundry gives your clothes a clean and fresh air-dried scent, often much preferred over the artificial scent from dryer sheets. Additionally, this method prevents any potential wear and tear caused by a machine dryer, extending the lifespan of your clothes. Lastly, by decreasing energy use, we are also reducing our carbon emissions, ultimately contributing to a lesser carbon footprint for our household. Therefore, this eco-friendly practice is beneficial both in terms of conserving energy and promoting sustainability.

Conclusion

Investing in green homes involves understanding the potential return on investment and market demand. Prioritise energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and integrated design. Avoid poor location choices, low-quality materials, and cutting corners on construction. It's important to maintain a balance between sustainable living and practicality to ensure your green home is a profitable investment.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

Ways to Make Your Home Sustainable

Everything You Need to Know About Underinsurance in Home Insurance

Flood & Earthquake – Safety Tips

Homecare Tips For All Seasons

Fine Print of Home Loan Insurance: A Cover for Home Loan EMIs