Start Off The New Year Right With Green Home Reno Resolution Projects

New Year's resolutions give us the chance to start fresh. Some include rebuilding relationships, getting a new haircut or exercising more. For us, it means home improvement! And if you make 2015 the year to go green with home renovation projects, you'll not only protect the environment, but you'll also reduce your energy bills and even improve your lifestyle choices.

There are many benefits to going green. With solar energy for instance, you consume far less fossil fuels, like oil. And you can begin in stages, such as when adding a new addition to your home or renovating a single room.

Here are 5 green home reno resolution projects to get you started:

1. Get a home energy audit. Consider hiring a home energy auditor who will identify the areas of your home that need to be more energy efficient. You can even do a low-tech preliminary one and then call in a professional to perform a more thorough, high-tech one.

2) Upgrade your insulation. The energy audit should uncover any insulation shortcomings your home has. "Insulation" can range from adding window curtains as a barrier against heat loss to spray insulation to make your home less drafty. Spray insulation is more costly than the rolls of fluffy pink fiberglass you're probably familiar with, but it provides an effective seal to block out unwanted air and moisture, pests, airborne pollutants and allergens. In more and more new home construction, it’s becoming the new norm.

3. Switch to a solar PV system and roof. A solar PV, or photovoltaic, system utilizes solar cells to convert sunlight into electrical energy. Solar PV systems range in size from small residential panels to large, freestanding systems and have a lifespan of between 25 and 35 years. Panels on the roof are popular because they don't take up space. An example of one of these systems is Sun Run pictured right.

4. Make your next home addition or remodel project LEED certified. The acronym LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and it’s the symbol of green building that meets set standards. Every LEED certified home is considered green and high performance; the higher the level of certification, the greater the performance level. LEED benefits include lower home operating costs and increased home value, less environmental “footprint” because there’s less construction waste, energy and water conservation, better health for everyone living in the home and more.

5. Think green before you buy. That means new energy star certified appliances for the kitchen or reclaimed wood home furnishings that conserve forests. Here is a list of top rated energy star certified products.

For inspiring reclaimed wood home furnishings, read Marketplace: Go Green With These 12 Reclaimed Wood Home Furnishings.

To be sure you're going green by the book, do your research on TotalHousehold.com and hire a company that has met green building standards.

Photo courtesy of Hobby Lobby: Upcycle your bottles into fabulous DIY New Year's decor with black paint, tinsel and sparkly handcrafted signs. For inspiration on recycling and using other ideas, read our Project: Go Green And Be Crafty With These 6 Ideas For Recycling This Holiday Season news article.