Solar Panels
Solar panels are expensive up front, and the installation can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. However, with the right set-up, you can earn that money back in a few years, with the savings on your electrical bill. Many homes with solar panels produce an excess of electricity, which is then routed back into the grid. Many cities and municipalities pay homeowners who do this, or credit their bill with the extra amount produced.
If you really want to be self-sufficient, then you can install a bank of batteries in your garage or basement. The sun doesn’t really work at night, so you will need batteries if you want power of your own through the night. Many don’t find this necessary, however, as the city power supplements their electricity during the night.
Green Roofs
Another direction you could go with your roof is to create a “green roof.” Sometimes called a “living roof,” these are typically constructed of a waterproofing material that is then overlaid with soil, grass, and small plants. This is a bit more complicated of a job, and the shape and tilt of your roof will play a role in determining whether it is possible or not, but the idea of a garden on your roof is certainly a romantic one.
Water Filtration Systems
One of the most important additions you can add to your home is a water filtration system. With a huge range of commercial & home water filtration systems on the market, you can choose only the filtration elements you actually need.
Nearly all multi-stage filtration setups begin with a sediment filter. Typically made from polypropylene or polyester, sediment filters trap physical particulates, removing them from your water. Dust, dirt, sand, clay, rust, and organic debris all get into our water, and we’d rather not drink those things.
Carbon filters are usually next in line after the initial sediment cartridge. Unlike sediment filters, which work on principles of mechanical restraint (like a screen door or a colander), carbon filters work chemically. The chemically “activated” carbon is made from coconut husk charcoal. The carbonaceous material attracts elements in water like chlorine, VOCs, heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.
For the most robust home filtration system, consider a reverse osmosis system. Originally designed to desalinate seawater, RO membranes are excellent at reducing nearly all total dissolved solids in water. This is a very aggressive form of filtration, as the membrane removes nearly everything from the water, including tasty minerals like calcium and magnesium. Because of this, many systems come with a post-RO remineralizing cartridge, to add back in the healthful and tasty minerals.
Energy-Efficient Windows
If your house has old windows, chances are they are not double-paned, or energy efficient, meaning that you are losing heat and AC through those windows. Upgrading to double-paned windows with insulated vinyl frames can help you to cut down on those utility bills, as the heat or cool air is now staying in the house. Improving your HVAC system and ensuring that your air filters are regularly changed will also help with this.
Rainwater Harvesting Systems
There is something incredibly satisfying about being self-sufficient, and harvesting your own rainwater is definitely a great step on the path to self-sufficiency. These systems range from complex drainage systems on the roof, to a large, open tub. You will definitely want to filter your rainwater before you drink it, though. Rainwater is often ripe with pollutants and contaminants, so it is important to test your rainwater, or send it to a lab to have it tested. That way, you can have exact information on what is present in the water, and how to best filter it.
Smart Thermostats
Unlike a traditional thermostat, which can only be changed manually, at the thermostat unit itself, a smart model syncs with your smartphone, allowing you to program your home’s heating and cooling from anywhere. Forget to turn off the AC before leaving for vacation? Not a problem if you have one of these.
Recycled Building Materials
Using recycled materials for certain aspects of home construction, and interior decorating, is a great way to revitalize something old, and help avoid waste. Lots of contemporary recycled materials look and perform great as well, so you don’t have to sacrifice on quality. For interior design, the reclaimed vintage look has been very popular of late, and for good reason. It is a way of bringing the past into the present, and celebrating it.
LED Lighting
One simple cost-saving measure you can employ in your home is to switch from high-energy traditional incandescent light bulbs to LED lighting. LED lights use a whopping 75% less energy than conventional bulbs, making them a great way to save on that electricity bill.
Composting Systems
What do you do with excess food that goes bad? Potato peels, orange rinds, eggshells, and food stuffs in general can make for great composting material. If you are looking for a way to avoid waste, then a home composting system is a great option, especially if you are an avid gardener.
Passive Solar Design
This is a somewhat newer idea, and a fairly exciting one. Passive solar design refers to the shape and configuration of a house that is designed to absorb, reflect, and store the maximal amount of solar energy. So, unlike solar panels which are simply an addition onto an existing home, a passive solar designed home is built from the group up with sunlight in mind. The goal of these houses is to power everything from the sun’s rays, without reliance on external power sources.
There are lots of exciting products on the market for the DIY-ready homeowner looking to improve their homestead. We won’t all be moving into passive solar homes any time soon, but many of the suggestions on this list are things you can implement in your home today. Good water filtration, solar power, low-energy options for lighting, and a smart thermostat are all upgrades that nearly any home can benefit from.
