Green Homes
If you're thinking of renovating or building, think green to ensure that any changes you make are changes for the better. See the Services page for professionals who can help.
Making your home a little greener can be done one step at a time. Many people have busy lives, but every small effort helps, so here are some ideas for changes you could make today.
Tips for greening up a home
Inside:
- Control (or program) your thermostat! Turn down your thermostat at bedtime and whenever you’ll be away from the house for more than an hour. Setting your thermostat a few degrees lower in cold weather and (for those with air conditioning) a few degrees warmer in hot weather can result in significant savings for you and the environment.
- Plug air leaks. Use caulking and insulation to reduce drafts and help maintain a consistent indoor temperature.
- Tune up your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. Keeping your system in good working order means it will run more efficiently, keeping you more comfortable and the system’s energy consumption as low as possible.
- Look beyond Energystar appliances to find those with the lowest energuide kilowatt consumption. The Energystar program is good, but because there are so many categories of products the consumer may be under the impression s/he is buying a very efficient appliance when this is not necessarily the case. One example would be refrigerators. There are several categories such as side-by-side; freezer up, refrigerator down; refrigerator up, freezer down; etc. An Energystar side-by-side might use much more energy than a non-Energystar freezer up, refrigerator down configuration, but because they are in different categories, the side-by-side comes out looking better, having been given the Energystar designation. The energuide tag found inside an appliance tells you how many kilowatts per year it uses, and this should be one of your guides in deciding which appliance to buy.
- Reduce water use. Taking showers instead of baths and using clothes and dish washing machines for full loads only are helpful habits (washing dishes by hand could be even better). Low-flow showerheads, low flush toilets and the use of aerators are all simple things you could install to minimize water use.
- There are many environmentally friendly and socially acceptable (not produced under appalling conditions) home products on the market these days – everything from cleaners to furniture to wall coverings and flooring. With a very small amount of research on your part it is easy to find these products. And remember, buying local products is better for you, your community, and the environment!
- Switch to compact flourescent light bulbs for lighting fixtures that are left on for long periods of time (4-5 hours at a stretch). The actual amount of energy conserved by switching to CF bulbs is arguably small, and the bulbs do contain a small amount of mercury, so they must be treated as toxic waste at their end-of-life. Still, some environmentalists point out that when the CF light bulbs are used properly, there are measurable energy savings, and the bulbs contain far less mercury than what the coal fired power plants belch into the atmosphere as they generate the additional power required for incandescent bulbs. On balance, the compact flourescent bulbs remain a positive choice. Remember that natural day light is the best light of all, so read or work near a window whenever possible.
- Switch to green power. In rural areas it may be possible to generate your own power, but in urban areas this is often not feasible. Luckily, it is becoming easier to choose alternative energy providers, such as Bullfrog, which uses wind and low-impact water projects as power sources.
Outside:
- Trees – deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your home help keep your place cool in summer while allowing the maximum amount of light to enter in winter. Evergreen trees on the north or northwest side of your home help catch the winter winds.
- Native plantings -- There’s a reason why certain plants grow in certain places – they are adapted for the environment and will thrive! Growing plants native to your area is not only beautiful, but easy because the plants have done all the hard work for you through the course of their evolution.
- Use water barrels -- Collect rainwater and save it for a sunny day. Run-off from your roof will quench your garden’s and lawn’s thirst on those scorching summer days and it will cost you and the environment nothing.
- Compost – Enrich your soil and reduce the burden on landfill by composting your vegetable scraps and yard waste. You can use a commercially produced compost container, build one yourself (you can find plans on the internet or borrow a how-to book from the library), or simply pile the stuff up in a corner of your yard, giving it a stir once in a while and let nature take its course.
- So you want a perfect lawn and garden? Fine – first, stir into the garden or top dress the lawn with some of that lovely compost you’ve made! These days, as far as maintenance is concerned, whether you want to do the work yourself or use a landscaping service, there are non-toxic products and techniques for managing all kinds of plant and insect nuisances. Ask for non-toxic products at your local gardening centre, or check the phone directory for organic lawn and garden services.
- Be the power! Most urban lawn and garden care can be done easily without power tools, so breathe easy and mow, rake and clip without gas.
If you would like more tips for greening up a home please contact me and I would be pleased to provide you with more resources.
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