When you hear sustainable living, you think of environmentally friendly living. Even if you live in an older house, you can do small things to change it to be more environmentally friendly. Doing this is not only great for the environment but also can help you when it comes to your finances. It will not only help you save money on utility bills but will also increase the value of your home. Here are five ways professionals in the homebuilding industry say that you can make your current home more sustainable, affordable and valuable. 
1. Go Solar
This is one of the biggest things you can do to your home to make it more energy efficient. Installing solar panels will not only lower your carbon footprint but also lower your power bills. If you are wondering how much you will save, you can always get an estimate by using a solar power calculator. It is a big cost up front, to the tune of around $20,000, to install solar panels to your home, but it pays off in the long run in more ways than one. They say that the system will generally pay for itself in 10 years with all the added savings to your monthly bills. The Inflation Reduction Act is a bill that was passed allowing homeowners to get tax incentives and rebates for solar usage.
2. Switch Regular Light Bulbs for LEDS
This is one of the smaller yet very effective projects to reduce your carbon footprint. Simply switch out all of your light bulbs with LED bulbs. LED bulbs have become very affordable and are sold in almost any store or online. LED bulbs use a fraction of the same energy as regular light bulbs so this will definitely bring down your power bill. An additional plus is that LED bulbs can be paired with smart plugs and smart home systems.
3. Swap Grass for Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
Keeping your lawn cut, green and weedless is a chore and an expense and work that never ends. In the dry summers, a lawn will need around one to two inches of water per week. There are many drought-tolerant options that can replace grass. Xeriscaping is when you use lawns and landscaping that requires little water. If you live in a warm dry climate, a succulent garden would be a perfect option. Using plants like cacti, agave and aloe would give your landscaping a desert-inspired look. Another idea to reduce the grass in your landscaping is to replace a section of lawn with pathways made out of pebbles.
4. Switch to a Low-Flow Shower Head
A regular showerhead can run through 2.5 gallons of water per minute! If you switch to a low-flow shower head, you can decrease your water usage significantly. A low-flow shower head aerates the water which uses less water. On average you will save around 2,700 gallons of water per year! This option is also budget friendly starting with options around $20 and can go up to over $100.
5. Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances
When your appliances are on their last leg so to speak, start to research energy-efficient appliances so that when they quit, you will be prepared to purchase them. Researching and doing your due diligence in your own time frame will help you make a wiser decision and purchase. When you are researching appliances, look for the EnergyStar label. Appliances with this label are designed to save energy and save money on utilities. These appliances might cost more upfront but they will save you money in the long run.
