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Top Home Improvement Projects to Pair with a Solar Panel Installation

Installing solar panels on your home is one of the most cost-effective and energy efficient home improvement projects out there. By making the switch, you’re able to dramatically reduce your carbon footprint and overall emissions, so why stop there? There are a handful of other home projects that, in addition to installing solar panels, will help make your house even more eco-friendly.

Here are three of the top home improvement projects to pair with solar panel installation.

Update or Replace Your HVAC System

Your home’s HVAC appliances account for nearly 43% of your energy bill and should be replaced if they’re over 12 years old. They’re not exactly cheap, and they vary from brand to brand, but they’ll save you up to 30% on your heating and cooling bill, which really pays off in the long run. Don’t have a heating and cooling system that’s over a decade old? Just like the rest of your home appliances, your HVAC system needs some special attention every once in a while to make sure it’s functioning at its very highest level. For example, something like a low-functioning furnace means it’s essentially 50% less efficient than it would be if it received regular maintenance. So, call in a professional to take a look, or even do some research and learn how to tune up your home’s appliances yourself.

One of the most cost-effective ways to cut back on energy output is by hiring a professional to do a duct test on your home. Leaky ducts are one of the most undetected culprits of your home’s energy efficiency levels. The experts at Energy Star warn that, “during normal operation, gas appliances such as water heaters, clothes dryers, and furnaces release combustion gases (like carbon monoxide) through their ventilation systems. Leaky ductwork in your heating and cooling system may cause “backdrafting,” where these gases are drawn back into the living space, rather than expelled to the outdoors. Sealing leaks can minimize this risk.” Not only do they keep your home safe and comfortable but sealing your leaks can also save you up to 20% on your heating and cooling bills, thus, preventing air pollution due to burning unnecessary fossil fuels.

Leaky ducts don’t just suck up your home’s warm air but can also waste the energy that your house’s HVAC unit expends by trying to cool off misplaced, overheated light bulbs! A duct test can cost around $325 – $350 in some states, so be sure to call a professional in your local area to get the best rates.

Update Your Roofing Material

In addition to making the switch to solar panels, you might also want to consider reroofing. This project may seem like a huge undertaking, but it’s worth noting that when solar panels are installed your roof may also be affected. Depending on the height, pitch, and slope of your roof, your materials (or the whole thing!) might need an update. Installing metal roofing can help to keep your home cooler by deflecting the sun’s heat without absorbing it as many other roofing materials do and is an effective way to make your home even more energy efficient. Plus, you won’t have to worry about replacing the roof after you install solar panels. In fact, metal roofs are a better foundation for adding solar panels since they can be installed without the risk of water leaks, like you would need to punch holes through a roof with asphalt shingles.

As a standalone, metal roofing is classified as a “cool roof” because it decreases the amount of heat transferred to your entire home. With a cool roof, the amount of air conditioning needed to keep your home’s interior a comfortable temperature is drastically lower and can help to conserve energy. When paired with solar panels, this high level of energy efficiency can reduce your emissions, lower your HVAC costs overtime and ultimately improve your home’s value when it’s time to sell.

Katherine Oakes is a writer, yoga instructor, and vocalist living in Northern New Jersey who loves writing for the professionals at Modernize with the goal of helping homeowners connect with qualified contractors for their home improvement projects.

When something goes wrong in your home and you need the right tool fast (as in, the drain’s clogged and you have 18 people coming for a dinner party in 20 minutes), a properly stocked set of tools is crucial. To help you figure out which gadgets will truly save the day during those clinch moments, we asked homeowners to reveal the best home improvement tool they ever bought. Here are six worthy of consideration.

1. Wet-dry vacuum

Accidents happen, and in some households they’re a daily occurrence. But here’s a reality check: That wad of paper towels works only on small spills.

Larry Perlstein of Westport, CT, says no home should be without a quality shop vac ($65, Amazon.com), which can quickly suck up wet and dry messes.

“You never know when you’re going to need one—hot water heaters can explode, pipes burst, and washing machines overflow,” he explains. Perlstein has also used his wet-dry vac to clean up dog vomit, leaky windows, and the water that his child sometimes leaves running.

2. Cordless power drill

Karina Burston, a DIY pro in Wakefield, RI, repairs her own decking, picture frames, and garden hose brackets, and hangs shelves, birdhouses, and coat hooks. All of this is made possible thanks to the cordless drill that she swears by ($75, Amazon.com).

“Hands down, it’s the best home improvement tool I’ve ever owned—I use it all the time,” she says. She prefers the 18-volt version and has even invested in an extra capacity battery, because the weaker power doesn’t cut it for some of the work she does.

“I also use the sander attachment for sanding my patio furniture and prepping for painting projects.”

3. Drain cleaner

You’re probably familiar with a metal snake, a major piece of hardware that descends many feet into your pipes to unclog the mess your teen girls’ hair has wrought. But there’s a cheaper home improvement tool that does almost the same job, according to Jenny Lilienthal of Lee, MA.

“A homeowner’s best friend is a simple plastic drain cleaner ($8 for a three-pack, Amazon.com), especially if she’s ignorant in the art of pipes and wants to save her husband from pretending he’s a plumber,” Lilienthal explains.

When the drain is stopped up, carefully shove this tool partway down (but hold tight, you don’t want to lose it in there) and then pull it out.

“You’ll inevitably retrieve a gob of hair and some black goo, and then the drain will be cleared—without the need for nasty Drano,” she adds.

4. Home weather station

We’re all a little obsessed with the weather. Many may turn to their smartphones, but Rob Rein says his home weather station ($150, Amazon.com) is in constant use in his Winsted, CT, home.

“I’m always looking to it for information on temperature and the dew point, and with multiple sensors I can see temp differences in the kitchen, basement, patio, and backyard,” he says.

This device is also helpful with rain measurements, so you can even know whether or not to water the garden or patio pots!

5. SpoutOff Outlet

Cleaning the gutters is one of the more tedious outdoor jobs—and it can be hazardous, too. Installing the SpoutOff Outlet  ($69, TheSpoutOff.com) in his gutter system was a smart move for Russell Turner of Glenmoore, PA.

“It’s a larger-than-normal outlet without a lip around the edge to catch debris like twigs and leaves,” he explains. This improved outlet won’t clog every time it rains, so the water just flows out of the gutters.

“I love it because as I age into early retirement, I’m less comfortable handling the heavy, cumbersome ladder. I’m happy not to risk a potential accident or fall.”

6. An awesome axe

When William Grant bought a second home in Ghent, NY, he was excited by the prospect of clearing some of the land himself. But doing it required a quality home improvement tool. Enter the Fiskars axe, recommended to him by his brother in Montana ($52, Amazon.com).

“This baby goes through wood like a hot knife in butter,” says Grant. With a huge fireplace and a wood stove to keep stoked, chopping and splitting wood for winter is now a fast chore. It’s so easy and fun to use, Grant goes out to chop timber for exercise, even when the woodbin is full.

Simple Home Improvement that Creates a Sustainable Home to live

Your Starter Guide To Sustainable Living

Why You Should Shift To Sustainable Living

How To Create A Sustainable Home

A Beginner’s Guide To Sustainable Living

Creating A Sustainable Home In Simple Steps

Since the industrial revolution, societies have been driven to consume. The consumerist world exploded after the world wars and continued to expand to this day. Children are raised to do good in school, get a high paying job and live years of abundance. Material wealth has always been our standard of success.

Don’t you think it’s time for a change?

There’s an emerging movement that aims to challenge our perception of a successful life: minimalism. Minimalism, contrary to popular belief, is not a product of the 21st century. It’s in the core of many cultures in Asia. The Buddhist concept of Zen emphasizes on an individual’s consciousness of the self and its relations with nature. “Zen contends that physical nature and human nature must be sought in an experiential dimension practically trans-descending,” according to a paper published by Stanford University. Minimalists are upholding the Zen principle in various aspects of their life, from their decision-making behaviors to their lifestyle choices.

Sustainable living: a complete lifestyle shift

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Sustainable living is a way of life that involves reduced dependence on natural resources. It embodies the Zen principles of caring for nature and the ideals of minimalism. To live a sustainable life, you may need to make a significant shift in your mindset. “It is such a simple principle – and yet if it is extended to include all living beings (an essential component of sustainability), it requires a complete shift in how we live our lives. Because we do unto others all day long – through the clothes we buy, the energy we use, the food we eat, even the toothpaste we brush our teeth with. Every choice we make impacts others – through its creation, its distribution, its use and its disposal,” noted GlobalStewards.org.

Sustainability in your living space can be done in simple ways. If you’re new to the concept, you can start with the easiest steps. Here are some home improvement tips for a sustainable living.

Explore passive design strategies

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Passive architecture is the use of energy efficient designs to reduce ecological footprints. It includes daylighting, natural ventilation and solar energy. Daylighting simply means using sunshine to illuminate your space. You can create external reflection letting sunlight reflect from the flooring of your home, wide window sills, and light shelves. Internal reflection can be achieved allowing natural light to reflect from internal walls, ceiling and high reflectance surfaces. You can also apply light-colored finishes and mount mirrors to reflect light around your home. However, avoid high levels of direct sunlight that can cause glare and increase the need for cooling.

Passive cooling strategies involve energy efficient designs to control heat gain in spaces. These designs include ventilation, windows insulation, and shading. Remember that the cooling strategies you can apply in your home is determined by your climate. If you live in a tropical region, you may need year-round shading.

Create indoor green spaces

Studies suggest that living near green spaces is good for one’s mental and physical health. Greenery has a therapeutic impact that helps reduce stress levels. Living in a neighborhood with parks and open spaces encourage an active and fit lifestyle. You can reap the benefits of green spaces by creating one inside your home. If you’re living in a tight condo space, you can install a vertical garden in the patio, kitchen, and even in the living room. There’s a wealth of creative condo garden tips you can check on Pinterest and other social media sites.

Houseplants offer a number of benefits. They can purify the air, cool down room temperature, provide supply for fresh vegetables and herbs, and decorate a space. The pothos plant can absorb toxins like formaldehyde from carpets and floor cleaning materials. The spider plant, which is usually displayed as hanging plants, also have air purifying qualities similar with dracaena and weeping fig. Other plants that can clean indoor air and have cooling effects include bamboo palm, boston fern, and aloe vera.

Go energy efficient with your appliances and gadgets

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A sustainable and minimalist lifestyle doesn’t mean that you should let go of the comforts of technology. It’s just a matter of choosing the right furnishings and appliances. Go only for appliances with high energy-efficiency ratings. When shopping for electronic devices, choose Energy Star-labeled products that can save up to 75% in power consumption. You can further cut down your energy consumption, and save on costs by using an advanced power strip. This reduces “vampire loads” or electricity wasted when appliances and gadgets are plugged in but unused. Vampire loads commonly occur in computers, kitchen appliances, and home entertainment systems.

For your computer, here are 3 no nonsense tips to go energy efficient:

• Use your computer on low-power mode. This can save energy, and allows your equipment to run cooler and last longer
• Turn off the switch on the power strip or surge protector if the plugged equipment is not in use
• Activate the power management feature on your computer. This will automatically put your screen into sleep mode after a period of inactivity

Take advantage of government-sponsored programs

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The US Department of Energy (DOE) developed a national rating system, the Home Energy Score, that assesses the energy efficiency of a home based on the architectural design and heating, cooling, and hot water systems. The agency offers financial incentives and financing programs that attain a high Home Energy Score. For solar energy systems, you can avail of a federal tax credit for 30% throughout 2019, 26% for 2020 and 22% for 2021. The taxpayer may claim the credit of qualified expenditures on an energy-saving system in a residential structure he owns in the United States. “Expenditures include labor costs for on-site preparation, assembly or original system installation, and for piping or wiring to interconnect a system to the home,” according to the DOE.

Sustainable living is a change in mindset and behavior. It involves simple, mundane decisions such as recycling plastic cups and major matters like shifting to a passive home design. You don’t need to rush in and change all your appliances tomorrow, but start in any way you can. Uncluttering your home can be your starting point.