The Green Homeowner’s Guide to High-ROI Renovations

renovation

Any changes you make to your home are investments. They either make your property more valuable when it hits the market or not, depending on your project selections. 

If you want to make your home more sustainable and upgrade it this year, check out these high-ROI renovations that help homeowners get their money back.

Why Are Projects With High ROIs Important?

A renovation with a high return on investment (ROI) means you’re more likely to get the cost of the project back if you sell your home. The work either adds value to your home or makes it more appealing to buyers, ultimately driving up your sale price.

Modifying your home requires your time and money. Those are two valuable commodities, so you should get a good return for your effort. Selecting renovation ideas that match your eco-friendly values and have significant returns means you’re investing in your current quality of life and your financial future.

Eco-Friendly, High-ROI Renovations for Homeowners

Your next home upgrade should match your sustainable lifestyle and double as a profitable investment. These are the best high-ROI renovations for homeowners with eco-friendly priorities.

1. Choose Sustainable Flooring

Floors aren’t just part of your home’s interior design. They’re also a potential high-ROI renovation. You could replace your wood planks or tiles with sustainable materials like luxury vinyl planks (LVPs). They rank second-highest in ROI potential behind hardwood floor installations. It’s also made with recyclable materials, so manufacturers can make your flooring into new products if you ever replace them.

2. Grow Native Plants

When was the last time you updated your landscaping? It could be a project that makes your property more valuable if you design your newly installed native plants to improve your curb appeal. Upgraded landscaping makes a great first impression and makes your listing stand out on the market. If you have more interested buyers, you get more competitive offers. You’ll also support the local environment by opting for native plants the surrounding bees love to pollinate.

3. Install an Insulated Garage Door

Homeowners quickly learn that their garage gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Your HVAC units don’t reach that space, so fluctuating air can seep through the interior door and walls. It changes the overall interior temperature of your home unless your garage door insulates the space more effectively.

Garage doors have R-values that rate their ability to insulate the garage space. The rating considers things like the door’s thickness and insulation materials to give homeowners the most accurate information. If the door keeps your garage around the same temperature, your HVAC unit won’t consume as much electricity because your garage won’t influence the rest of your home’s comfort level.

4. Relax on Non-Toxic Carpet

Some carpeting manufacturers add chemicals to their products. They make the carpeting withstand lifetime wear and tear like stains and foot traffic. Those chemicals also leak into the environment when the carpeting ends up in landfills.

Consider installing non-toxic carpeting to make your home more sustainable. Some carpets feature materials made with yarns derived from recycled products. This type of floor covering might cost a bit more than standard materials, but it retains some ROI because future buyers will offer more money for a home where they won’t have to replace the carpeting after moving in.

5. Opt for Reflective Roofing Material

If you select the right upgrade, your roof’s materials can make your home more eco-friendly and valuable. If you’re ready to replace older shingles, choose a material that reflects the sun. If your roof reflects sunlight instead of absorbing it, your home will stay cooler without using as much electricity through your HVAC machine.  

New roofing has a high ROI if done well. Whether you hire experts or install it yourself, don’t forget to finish the project by emptying your gutters. Clearing debris is a crucial way to prevent water damage because the buildup of natural waste in your gutters could make water pool on your roof. You’ll make your installation last longer by preventing damage with routine gutter cleanings.

6. Gaze Through Eco-Friendly Windows

Green windows keep your home’s indoor temperature steady with numerous upgrades. They use tight seals to block leaks and special film to reflect heat. It’s another way to reduce your property’s electricity usage. Future buyers will also appreciate that they won’t have to replace your windows for longer than if they bought a house with older models. It helps them offer more for your property, ultimately improving your ROI.

7. Power Your Home With Solar Panels

Solar panels increase your home’s value by 4% due to their rising popularity. You’ll also lower your monthly electric bill, which means saving money as soon as you finish this project. It’s a straightforward way to make your property sustainable and stop relying on the local electric grid that produces carbon emissions as consumers demand more power.

Check with local solar panel installation companies to get quotes. They’ll inquire about which directions your roof faces and how much electricity your property consumes each month. You’ll compare their quotes and find the best company for your home’s solar panel needs.

8. Find an Energy Efficient Front Door

Front doors also affect how often your HVAC unit turns on. If your older door has cracks, doesn’t seal tightly or warps when humidity rises, it lets outdoor air into your home. Replacing it with an energy-efficient model reduces your electric bill and makes your property more valuable. It’s also a project you can do in less than an hour, so it’s perfect for homeowners who want a quick green upgrade.

9. Insert Floor Heating Elements Throughout Your Home

Anyone who lives in an area with predominantly cold weather knows it’s a battle to stay warm in your home. Your HVAC unit pushes heat through your house often, but it won’t use as much power if you have heated floors.

The heating elements use electricity too, but they’ll use considerably less. Warm floors create heat that rises throughout each room. You’ll feel warmer without relying on your HVAC by compiling this high-ROI renovation this year. If you install solar panels first, you can also enjoy the electricity-powered floor heaters without worrying about your home’s carbon footprint.

10. Upcycle Your Wood Porch

You might not think of your porch when picturing home improvement projects, but it’s a valuable way to make your home greener. Porch work has an ROI of just over 27%, so upgrade yours with eco-friendly materials.

Swap your existing wooden planks for composite boards made with recycled goods. You could even upcycle the old wood into a backyard bench or raised garden bed to eliminate the project’s waste. Ultimately, you’ll improve your home’s design, make your porch a refreshed place to relax and fortify your house with materials that didn’t harm the planet during manufacturing.

Get a High-ROI on Your Next Renovation

Investing your time and money into home improvement projects means you should get a good return on each investment. Use these high-ROI renovations to reduce your home’s carbon footprint and make your money back. You’ll live in a more sustainable house without worrying about losing money on costly renovations.

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