Sustainable philosophy is changing the world of interior and architectural design. There’s a rising demand for innovations that are both environment-friendly and highly functional. It is precisely this blend that enables us to walk on the cutting-edge and transform the way we live. The fear of blowing the budget is the grim reaper of many home improvement projects, however, and calculating the ROI is not as simple as we would like. Here is a list of surefire innovations that are likely to pay off.
Garden of Eden
Urban jungles are plagued by pollution and environmental problems, but now we can assemble natural shrines in our living spaces. Grove Ecosystems is an intelligent home garden; a groundbreaking innovation, which utilizes the process of aquaponics and allows us to save money on groceries. Namely, a small oasis sits on top of the red sea aquarium and harnesses fish’s waste products, turning them into nutritious microbes. At the same time, the water denizens are supplied with clean water, which creates a well-rounded cycle of sustainability at its best.
Head above water
Water-saving features are a must-have in a green home. There’s a wide range of products available on the market, most notably rain collectors, grey water systems, low-flush toilets, as well as low-flow faucets and showerheads. Top-of-the-line novelties may seem expensive, but they give you the most bang for your buck. Take the example of the Nebia shower system: It reduces water consumption by 70%, which brings forth significant money savings in the long run. The beauty of it is that it does not impede the bath experience, as it maintains steady pressure with the H2MICRO technology.
Solar power
If solar power is what interests you the most, you should be aware of different types of systems, components, and features. For instance, the inverter is one of the main components – it is what converts the electricity of solar panels to the electricity that you can use. There are two main types suitable for homes, string inverters and micro-inverters. Micro-inverters, for example, are a good choice because you can easily replace individual panels; if the string inverter gets damaged, you’d lose the whole system. This is why you should always opt for a quality Sunny boy inverter, as it’s the best way to ensure that your investment would pay off.
LED and OLED
LED lighting is incredibly versatile, featuring a great lifespan, low electricity requirements, and zero toxicity. It lasts twenty times more than incandescent bulbs and gives off almost no heat. Furthermore, LED fittings can run on batteries, which makes them suitable for off-grid homes. Now, we have also witnessed the rise of Organic LED (OLED). This technology differs from its predecessor in regards to chemicals and waste used during the manufacturing process. Finally, they come in the form of layered sheets that can be deployed virtually anywhere.
Energy monitoring
It is hard to accomplish frugal living when you do not even have an idea about your consumption patterns. Well, today we can effortlessly evaluate our household energy use in real-time. Most of the products are easy to install, wireless, and smart. One can also download a smartphone application for the gadget, and manipulate it with just a few taps of the finger. DIY Kyoto’s Wattson is a great example of a system which sits in your household and keeps track of every watt your house eats. This is an amazing opportunity to take your energy management to the next level and shrink the utility bills.
Electrochromic Windows
Insulation is the bedrock of a home’s energy efficiency, which maintains an optimal indoor climate year-round. Sometimes, you want to maximize the amount of heat and light coming in, and that is a task for electrochromic windows. These extraordinary glass surfaces can switch from transparent to opaque in an instant and control the passage of natural blessings into your home. Thus, they are excellent energy-saving devices that also give you a chance to preserve privacy and make your home look like it came straight from the future.
Mother a positive change
Modern homes are designed with eco-friendliness in mind. Green design and technological marvels lay the foundations for fresh thoughts and plant the seeds of a better future. Budgetary constraints must not prevent you from capitalizing on these developments, as smart home improvements always pay off in the end. So, assemble a sustainable sanctuary without breaking the bank and embrace the way of living which brings functionality, embodies frugality, and shows great care for Mother Nature.
About the author:
Chloe is a graduated journalist from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.