Go Green This Summer With These 9 Eco-Conscious Home Upgrades

First up, upgrade those old appliances! Swapping out inefficient models for new ENERGY STAR-certified kitchen equipment and gadgets can seriously cut your electricity bills. We're talking washers, dryers, fridges, dishwashers - you name it. Many utility companies and local governments offer rebates when you buy energy-efficient electrical and mechanical devices, too, so you'll save money upfront as well. It's a total no-brainer!

Harnessing the sun's energy is a great way to go green. Adding solar panels to your roof lets you tap into clean power right from the source. Reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and take advantage of tax credits for installing solar. Over time, you'll slash your electric bills, too, as your savings account grows while your carbon footprint shrinks.

Want to beat the heat without turning your yard into a scorcher? Add some shade elements like awnings, trees and pergolas or trellises. With protection from the sun's harsh rays, these structures will keep your yard much cooler. Planting trees and vines will also provide shade to create a more comfortable environment outside. Plus, you can say goodbye to sweltering outdoor living spaces and hello to shaded breezy patios.

Don't waste water this summer. Swap out those water-guzzling faucets and toilets for new low-flow models. Today's touchless, water-efficient fixtures still do the job while conserving H2O. Less water usage means lower bills, which is like money in your pocket. It's an easy upgrade that's great for the environment.

Get smart about controlling your home's temperature. Smart thermostats learn your habits and adjust the temperature for you. Instead of blasting the AC with manual temperature control, programmable thermostats optimize heating and cooling to save energy. You can even monitor your energy usage patterns. It's like having a personal assistant for your home's climate.

Let the fresh air in! Natural cross-ventilation can passively cool your home without running the AC nonstop. It works by opening specific windows and doors to facilitate airflow from one side of the home to the other. Strategically creating cross-breeze pulls in cool air and forces warm air out on the other side of the house. This air movement keeps interiors comfortable on hot days without heavy energy use.

Go native this summer! Landscaping with plants native to your region means less work for you. Native varieties are naturally adapted to thrive in your local climate and soil. Ditch the thirsty grass lawn to conserve water. In fact, it's a total habitat makeover when native gardens attract local wildlife by supporting biodiversity.

If you're feeling adventurous, add a vertical green thumb with a living wall to your home. These vertical garden panels provide natural insulation, cool the air through evaporation (transpiration) and can purify indoor air quality. Living walls bring nature indoors while requiring zero yard space. Put another way, a living wall elegantly merges environmental sustainability with an artistic flourish for your home, sustainably bringing the outdoors in.

Harvest free water from the sky! Collecting rain runoff in barrels is an easy way to water your lawn and garden. Installing a rain barrel system conserves treated tap water for other uses. You'll have ample free water for your plants with every rainfall. Let nature give your garden a drink!