(BPT) – Interest in eco-friendly home improvements is skyrocketing because it allows homeowners to improve their spaces while making a positive impact on the environment. The challenge is it can be difficult for homeowners to know which are the best upgrades for their budget.
Fortunately, there are improvements for every budget that can make a big impact in living a greener lifestyle. Consider these smart green home upgrades for small, medium and larger budgets:
Small investment: Green showerheads
Every time you step into the shower you want to enjoy warm water and a satisfying spray. You may have considered an eco-friendly showerhead before, but paused because you heard it would sacrifice this experience.
Fortunately, new options make it possible to save water and enjoy every shower. For example, the KOHLER Statement VES showering collection is engineered to deliver a luxurious showering experience with eco-friendly features that earn the EPA WaterSense certification.
How is this possible? This showerhead has a precise balance of size, number and distribution of nozzles to provide a superior spray, while its low-flow spray is optimized for strong rinsing coverage while maintaining warmth. The Katalyst Air-Induction Technology delivers larger drops that retain heat longer (up to 0.5 degrees warmer) while cloaking the body in water for a satisfying soak.
In addition, the collection has a showerhead and hand shower that features a 0.5 gpm pause. This might be ideal when shampooing or shaving. The pause option can conserve at least 40% of water compared to a typical 2.5 gpm showerhead without compromising the shower experience people desire.
Medium investment: Water-consumption technologies
Fixing leaks is essential to a functional home that limits water waste. However, many leaks are hidden, and those unknown leaks can be the most destructive. Household leaks account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted and millions of dollars in property damage every year for U.S. homeowners.
Smart technology is helping homeowners detect leaks and be more mindful about water consumption. Just imagine being alerted by your phone about a leak in the basement so you can immediately take action.
This is possible with the KOHLER H2Wise systems powered by Phyn that provide immediate alerts for minor or major leaks, including pre-freeze warnings to help prevent frozen pipe bursts. The system runs a diagnosis of the entire home’s plumbing to detect hidden issues and track daily water usage by each fixture.
There are two systems to choose from: H2Wise can be installed by the homeowner. H2Wise+ needs to be installed by a professional onto the main water line, therefore providing the ability to shut off the main water supply automatically and remotely when a leak is detected. That means being able to turn it off while away from home, such as when on vacation.
Larger investment: Alternative energy
If you’re really dedicated to going green and living an eco-friendly lifestyle, consider solar power systems for your home. These systems collected energy through solar panels and then store that energy for your use.
Solar panel technology has advanced tremendously and you can now find low-profile panels that blend with your home’s exterior. In addition to panels, you’ll want an energy storage system so you can store and access the power you’ve collected regardless of the weather or time of day. The KOHLER Power Reserve is a fully integrated system that allows you to use the solar energy gathered throughout the day and reserves that energy for use whenever you want it.
KOHLER Power Reserve gives you full control of your storage system through a mobile app that helps you monitor and adjust the system including a variety of modes:
- Backup: Battery is charged and ready to power your home during an outage
- Self-supply: Battery uses your stored energy to power the home, limits the usage on utility power
- Time-of-use: Battery prioritizes the use of your stored energy during peak utility periods, which means increased savings
You can also access timelines of power information for the day as well as historical statistics for the system. It’s compatible with any home solar panel system and can be installed indoors or outdoors on both new and existing solar panel setups.
Making green home improvements is a smart choice no matter your budget. You can feel good about helping the environment and adding value to your home.