Creating your dream home is, well, a dream! However, for an environmentally conscious individual, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to home renovations and building projects. 

Unfortunately, construction can have a serious environmental impact, and so taking on your project with sustainability in mind is essential if you want to limit your effect on the planet, as well as minimise the renovation’s impact on your own well-being. 

If this sounds like something you’re facing, this article will take a look at four simple steps you can take to ensure a sustainable home reno project. 

Plan with Sustainability in Mind

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! The old saying is just about as true as it gets, and it applies here too. If you plan your renovation without thinking about how to make it more sustainable, the chances are it’s going to have a massive environmental impact. 

Make sure you set clear goals and hire professionals who specialise in green building and sustainable design and building practices. You can also make sure to incorporate sustainable materials into your design plans and consider investing in more sustainable appliances and systems as part of your project. 

Improve Energy Efficiency

As mentioned, you can incorporate some changes into your project that will make your home more energy efficient. You should make sure that your windows and doors are properly insulated to retain heat and invest in energy star-rated appliances for your home.

Some other important considerations to make for your project include renewable energy in the forms of solar panels and geothermal systems for your heating and cooling. Geothermal systems can also be installed through microtunneling which is an environmentally consious method in itself. Not only will these systems reduce your carbon footprint, but save you money too. 

Choose Eco-Friendly Materials

In the building itself, there are a variety of sustainable and eco-friendly materials you can choose to improve the sustainability of your home as well as the project itself.

These include recycled and reclaimed materials like lumber, brick, cork, and recycled glass, plastic, and metals like steel, aluminium, and copper. As you can tell, you won’t be limited in the materials you have available to you if you choose the recycled and sustainable route! You can also ensure that your materials are sustainably sourced, such as through local suppliers. 

Minimise Waste

Finally, make sure that efforts are made throughout the renovation to minimise waste. Like the rest of your project, this will require thought and planning, as well as some time investment on your part. However, it will pay off in the long run. 

A few simple ways to limit waste during a home renovation include making an effort to reuse and upcycle where possible, as well as donating items that do need to be replaced instead of simply getting rid of them. Try to order materials and items from companies that have recycling programs and avoid excessive packaging. You can also try to recycle, sell, or donate any leftover and scrap material from your build.