Living in a mid-century modern house is something many people aspire to. The unique designs and distinctive features of these older homes are things that need to be celebrated. However, many homeowners worry about how to bring their aging houses into the modern age without compromising their authenticity. In particular, the challenges of understanding how to make a home built in the post-war era a sustainable place to live can be confusing and a little overwhelming. The good news is that enjoying all the benefits of an eco-friendly home isn’t solely reserved for the owners of new-build properties. It is perfectly possible to transform a mid-century modern house into a sustainable home suited to contemporary living – you just need to know how. Here are some ideas to help you achieve sustainability while preserving your home’s character.
Install Solar Panels
If you live in an older house, particularly one with unique architecture, such as an Eichler home, you may have ruled out the possibility of installing solar panels on your property. However, you don’t need to miss out on the eco and financial benefits of having solar panels on your house. To make it possible, you simply need to find an Eichler-specific solar installation company that is experienced in installing solar panels on the flat and low-sloped roofs that Eichler homes are known for.
Upgrade Your Windows
Your mid-century home’s windows are one of its most distinctive features. Having such a large expanse of glass in your home is an attractive design element and also helps your home to feel lighter and brighter. While having plenty of natural light flooding your home can cut the amount of power needed to light it up, these windows can cause additional issues.
One of the main issues caused by the large windows in mid-century modern homes is the heat that they generate. During the summer, it can feel like you are sitting inside a glasshouse when the sun is at its peak. This can cause you to crank up your air conditioner to combat the heat entering your home. Unfortunately, this means that your electricity bill gets higher as your air conditioning uses up more power trying to battle against the heat to reach the target temperature. Upgrading your existing windows by having modern glass installed is an excellent way to reduce the carbon footprint of your home and keep it cooler in the summer.
Improve Insulation
Every home needs insulation to keep the warm air inside in winter and the cool air inside during summer. With help from insulation, it’s possible to give your home’s eco credentials a significant boost. Many mid-century modern homes need a little extra help when it comes to insulation. Adding a suitable, breathable insulation material to the low-pitch roof of your home can make it easier to keep your home at a comfortable temperature without depending on air conditioning and heating.
These simple steps can play a huge role in transforming your mid-century home into a sustainable property.