Designing and building energy efficient homes without breaking the bank is possible, and if those pictures of beautiful homes in glossy magazines have inspired you, these tips can help you.
Strategic Planting
Shady tress make the perfect place to sit outside if you live in a warm climate. However, they can also be planted in such a way that they lower your energy costs by providing shade for your house too. It’s an affordable way to keep your house cool and provide an inviting outside area.
Renovate Old Patio Furniture
Simply adding a coat or two of spray paint can make all the difference to patio furniture that is showing its age, and can give old outdoor tables and chairs a whole new life. Add a few new cushions to complete the effect.
Recycle
If your goal is to have an eco friendly home, consider using recycled patio furniture, as well as recycled mulch and stones for your backyard. Pieces of glass and broken tiles can be used to make great looking mosaics if you have a creative flair.
Landscaping and Water Use
Overwatering your yard is wasteful in terms of money and the water used, and many owners of energy efficient homes come up with a water conscious backyard design. A good strategy is to place plants together that have the same water needs. And if you use a sprinkler system, invest in a good one that regulates the sprinklers according to the weather; you don’t need to be wasting water by sprinkling when it’s raining.
Create Your Own Paths
Easy mix concrete poured into holes in the ground makes an effective pathway and can be a lot less expensive than putting down expensive flagstones.
Outdoor Fireplace
Build your own with bricks from an old terrace or bought cheaply from somewhere; it makes a great focal point for the family and friends.
Bamboo
Give your garden a farm look by planting bamboo here and there, or buy outdoor furniture made from the versatile wood. But bring that furniture inside if it rains; bamboo doesn’t like the rain.
Going green really can be easy without you having to spend a fortune.