Homeowners are thinking green when it comes to home improvement. Rising energy costs have definitely taken their toll on homeowners everywhere. Water consumption is a significant issue, and energy prices have been on a steady incline. To deal with all of this, homeowners have begun to find ways to green their homes.

Green home remodeling projects are not only good for the environment, they can also be extremely cost effective. Kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling contractors state that green renovation projects increase a home's energy efficiency and save homeowners tons of money down the line. This means that green remodeling projects have an incredibly high recoup value. Green remodeling projects also significantly increase a home's value. A study by McGraw Hill actually showed that home buyers are willing to pay about $18,000 more for an energy efficient home.

Green and energy efficient home improvements are a good idea for homeowners in any city. They have many benefits. They can increase the value of your home, slash your energy costs, and make a positive impact on the environment. Energy efficient appliances are a great option, but there are also many other green home remodeling projects. These four green remodeling ideas are terrific options for homes.

Low-Flow Showerheads

This is a popular bathroom remodel idea because it is incredibly inexpensive. It also instantly saves you money. A simple low-flow showerhead can cut back your shower water consumption by 50 to 70 percent. They come in many elegant styles and some even have convenient features like various adjusting dials and pause buttons.

Bamboo or Cork Flooring

These two flooring materials are becoming highly popular. They offer a unique look and Eco-friendly material option for conscientious homeowners. Cork is a 100 percent renewable material and homeowners love its texture and color variety. Bamboo is an environmentally friendly choice because it grows rapidly. This means there is no need to use pesticides. Along with this it never needs replanting.

Glass Countertops

Updating countertops is a popular kitchen remodeling project, and now there are many green materials that homeowners can use for their countertops. Glass is not only an elegant solution, it is also a green solution. It has a really stunning appearance and can come in many, many different styles and colors. Glass is an Eco-friendly choice because it is available locally which means that less energy is used to ship and produce it.

Programmable Thermostat

This may not be the most glamorous product in the world of electronics, but it is an incredibly efficient one. Programmable thermostats are extremely cost effective. They typically pay themselves off in one season. The thermostat will control the temperature in your home for you, never forgetting to adjust it at different times of the day.

There you have some tips which you can use in order to make your house more energy efficient. Make use of all the natural sources of energy such as sun and wind to provide a lovely atmosphere in your house. All you need to do is to have some meetings with your architect and engineer and they will be able to come up with a plan which will benefit you. Taking these steps will ensure that your house will be an ally in terms of energy efficiency for you in the long run.