The stars of HGTV’s “Fixer to Fabulous,” Dave and Jenny Marrs share their best tips for making your home more sustainable without breaking the bank.
How do you incorporate sustainable practices into your home designs?
Jenny: When designing a space, I often manage the sunlight — either with filters or by layering window treatments — to help naturally regulate indoor temperatures and make a room feel cozy and comfortable. Even the paint or wall color can make a difference. Lighter colors make rooms feel brighter without consuming electricity.
When sustainability is a priority, consider well-insulated doors and windows to seal the building envelope. Skylights are great at introducing natural light, and well-placed trees can provide energy-saving shade.
Dave: When addressing any issues in a home, it’s helpful to have data. For example, I often recommend a home energy survey by a licensed professional. This survey will pinpoint gaps in the insulation and identify any airflow issues throughout the home. Solving these problems can provide better comfort and energy savings.
What inspired you to prioritize sustainability in your renovation and building projects?
Jenny: We have five kids at home, and we need to ensure their futures on this planet. We travel internationally, either for our “Fixer to Fabulous Italiano” series or as a family, and we’ve been inspired by the mindset of other regions of the world where sustainability is effectively practiced daily.
When renovating a home, we explore affordable ways to make it sustainable and more energy efficient. That’s why we teamed up with Daikin for the Sustainability Series, their latest initiative that brings the conversation about sustainability to the forefront.
Dave: During construction, we try to use materials and equipment that can help a homeowner save money and benefit the planet. Approximately 40-60% of home energy use is for heating and cooling homes, so whether you’re using effective design or energy-efficient equipment, reducing home energy use can have a positive impact on the environment and your electricity bill. Also, consider heat pump water heaters; in many homes, traditional gas boilers or electric water heaters can be large energy consumers.
What are some sustainable features that add long-term value to a home?
Dave: Upgrading old doors and windows will improve the look of your home while improving energy efficiency. Solar panels with energy backup are a longer-term sustainable solution that may add value to your home. On a recent episode of the Sustainability Series, we met with a local contractor in Washington state to see how solar energy, even in a wet climate, can be harnessed to power a home’s appliances and HVAC system. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that home value increases by $20 for every $1 saved on your utility bills. Depending on your location, this may translate into a higher market value when selling your home.
Are there any small changes that make a big impact on reducing a home’s energy consumption?
Jenny: There are plenty of small changes that add up to big energy savings over time, like installing smart thermostats, ensuring that the home is properly insulated, and enrolling in a seasonal maintenance program for your HVAC system with your contractor.
One of our favorites is “mindful energy use” — using natural light during the day, and at night, encouraging everyone in the family to turn off lights and unplug gaming systems, printers, toasters, and desktop computers when not in use. They’re what we call “vampire” equipment; they use energy even when not in use, and we’re not always aware of that.
Be sure to replace any light bulbs that are not LED, and don’t forget to check the garage light bulb. Consider using LED+ dusk to dawn light bulbs with sunlight sensors, or automatic on/off light sensing bulbs. At our home, we also use solar outdoor lights and chargers whenever possible.
What advice do you have for families who want to make their homes more sustainable over time, but might be working on a budget?
Dave: If you can’t afford to replace your entire HVAC system with a more sustainable option, consider installing a smart programmable thermostat that reduces energy consumption when away from home and can be controlled remotely. Installing motion sensors on lights and sleep timers on appliances can also help.
Jenny: In the garden, invest in a rain harvesting system. This can be as simple as using a rain barrel with a mosquito-proof screen to catch rainwater for watering your plants. Depending on your location, rainwater collection systems may be available for irrigation and even as a backup source of water to wells and municipal water systems.
Do you have any advice for homeowners selecting sustainable appliances?
Dave: In North America, the typical home HVAC unit is a 10-13 SEER unit. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it measures the annual energy consumption and efficiency of the unit’s cooling ability in typical day-to-day use. Usually, the higher the SEER value, the less energy the unit will use. Today, units with 16+ SEER offering more efficiency, comfort, and savings are widely available.
It’s also important to hire a contractor you trust to ensure proper installation of the HVAC system. If it is sized incorrectly, or ductwork is not installed properly, you can have wide variations in the overall efficiency of the system.
What are your thoughts on repairing versus replacing appliances when they break down?
Jenny: With proper maintenance, some appliances can last 10-15 years. When at all possible, we try to reuse current appliances rather than replacing. At times, it is important to update certain appliances. For example, when renovating a kitchen, the range can be made into a focal point, in which case, it needs to be replaced. We like the character of older designs, and with proper maintenance, some appliances can last 10-15 years. You’d be surprised.
Dave: If the HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, it should be evaluated by an HVAC contractor. Installing an inverter heat pump system, instead of a traditional central air conditioning system, can significantly reduce your carbon footprint through less overall energy consumption. Also, I recently discovered mini-split HVAC systems. They are great for addressing some of the shortfalls of your current central system and can provide an extra boost to support your system in the long run.
How often should appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, or HVAC systems be serviced to ensure optimal performance and sustainability?
Dave: A yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. According to the Department of Energy, effective maintenance can reduce HVAC energy costs by 5-40% depending on the system or equipment involved.
You should also check your HVAC filter every month and expect to change it every 90 days. A dirty filter can cause your system to work harder, reducing efficiency and wasting energy. Also, simple actions like removing lint from the dryer will help save energy and allow your clothes to dry faster.
