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Initially, all the options to create a greener home can be
overwhelming. But some of these tasks are simply good home maintenance
and a few only need to be done once. The headings
below break down some of the improvements
and updates you may make to your home. These all can
affect your home's performance and impact on the environment. Did we say performance?
You bet! Making sure your home is running efficiently and
smoothly is the number one way to helping the environment!
How efficient is your home?
Making your home work efficiently to keep you
warm, cool and provide you with creature comforts is the perfect way to
help other creatures of the world. Taking time to keep your home
updated will help reduce the amount of energy you need and ultimately be
easier on your wallet as well.
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Lighting: You can cut
electricity costs by taking advantage of natural lighting and
choosing carefully the lighting you purchase.
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Natural light is a great
way to improve your home's efficiency. Skylights and easy
to open window treatments can help you better regulate where you
get your light during the day. Windows facing north and
south can offer a great source of natural light and heat.
West and east windows will offer light but may produce too much
glare as the sun rises and sets.
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Choose your artificial
lights carefully. Selecting a few accent lights and then a
concentrated task light for an activity such as reading is a
better alternative to lighting up every square inch of the room
with florescent bulbs!
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Using environmentally
efficient light bulbs can help reduce energy costs.
However, research the bulbs you buy. Some may not work as
well for task lighting. Others may not work with your
older lamps and you may be better buying a new lighting fixture
at the same time.
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Keep your artificial
lights working at their best. Even the simple task of
keeping your lamp shades free of dust can improve the light
quality in your home.
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Windows: The windows of your
home can be a great ally. Getting the right type of window
treatments can help regulate your home temperatures.
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Drapes: Drawn closed in
the winter, these window treatments can help prevent heat from
escaping by as much as
10%! Drapes can also help decrease heat coming into
the home if closed against direct sunlight in the summer.
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Blinds or Shades: These
can help reduce the amount of heat coming through the window
because of direct sunlight. Dual shades can be very
useful. Use the light side to help reflect and keep out
the warming sun in the summer and the dark side can be used in
the winter to draw in more heat.
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Shutters: Both exterior
and interior shutters can be used to keep heat out in the
summer. They do not work as well at keeping heat in during
the winter. Another perk of having exterior shutters is
that they can provide extra security for your home as well.
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Window Panel:
Similar to a shutter, a window panel is a product that pops
into the window frame and provides extra insulation in the
winter. An inexpensive addition, this may be ideal for
windows not used for their light in the winter.
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Screens: Although these
don't really keep any heat in place, using screens on your
windows allows for better cooling and airing of your home in the
summer. Screens allow you to keep windows and doors open
encouraging a natural movement of the air. Using open
windows well in the morning and evening can drastically reduce
your air conditioning bill. Thankfully this can be done
without letting in all the bugs and critters!
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Awnings: Window awnings
can help keep the house cooler in the summer by reducing the
amount of heat that is adsorbed.
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 Air
Leaks: Get rid of air leaks! Insulation works to improve both
the heating and cooling of your home.
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Check around your doors and
windows first. Many leaks escape through these portals the
most. Replace weather stripping and caulk where needed.
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Besides the doors and
windows, also check for air leaks around vents, fans, phone and
cable lines, and electrical lines.
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Depending on the materials
used in your home, you may also need to check any brick, stucco or
cement construction for needed repairs.
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Not sure if you have a leak?
One option is to use an incense stick. The smoke will show any
movement caused by air leaks. Another method is to have
someone stand on the other side of the possible leak source while
you shine a flashlight at the edges. If they can see the light
on the other side then some updates should be made.
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Insulation: Updating or
adding insulation to your home, especially an older one, can help
reduce costs associated with heating and cooling your home.
The attic, crawl space, basement, exterior walls and space around
service ducts are the areas that will need the most attention or
improvement.
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Reduce Water Usage: There
are many ways to reduce your water consumption around the home.
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The hot water heater can be
an energy hog. Try insulating it if it does not already have at
least R-24 insulation. You can also lower the temperature of
the water from 140°F to 120°F to save on cost.
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Make certain to fix any
leaky pipes or faucets. Over time these will not only consume
water but will also cause damage to the surrounding area.
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To get better use of water
for your money, consider installing low-flow water faucets and
showerheads. You may also consider a water (and energy)
efficient clothes washer.
What
do you bring into your home?
Whether building a new home or
shopping for the weekly groceries, the products you choose to bring home
have a great impact on the environment. Taking some time to
consider your choices before you buy is a great way to reduce your
carbon footprint.
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Renewable Construction: If
building or remodeling a home, consider renewable sources for some
of your construction needs. You do not have to use all or any
of them, however, if you take the time to research some of these
options, you may be surprised and find a good fit.
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Hardwood floors are great in
that they keep allergies as bay and are easier on the
environment then synthetic carpet manufacture. However, a
renewable wood is key here. Renewable floors such as
bamboo or cork are much easier to replenish. Another
option that has gained in popularity is reclaimed wood.
This product is taken from demolition sites - everything from an
old house to an old gymnasium floor. Research the
product's history as some sealants and paints used on the wood
may be toxic.
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There are more renewable
sources available. From recycled glass used as tile to
recycled jeans used as insulation. Take a look at our
links to the right for more information about these items and
possible vendors in your area.
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Buy Local: There has been a lot
of encouragement for consumers to buy local recently. Buying
locally should help cut down on shipping and packaging costs.
Doing so can also help local farmers and businesses. Not
always the cheaper option, trying to purposely buy some items
locally can help the economy and ultimately the environment.
In fact, some believe buying groceries from local sources provides
fresher produce that ultimately could be better for your health.
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Quality of Product: Being a
savvy consumer who expects the best quality in their products is
helpful to the environment as well as your pocketbook. Move
away from cheaply made items; instead research your purchases and
get ones that will perform well for a long time to come.
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Check Labels: On anything you buy, take time to
check the labels and be aware of any impact it may have on your
environment - including at home. Consider carefully your
choice in chemicals used for cleaning. When working on home
improvement projects consider the options you have for glues, paints
and other possible hazardous materials.
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THERMOSTAT: Lower your thermostat by a few
degrees. Get a controller where you can specify different
temperatures for day and night.
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LIGHTS: Turn off incandescent lights when not
in use. Turn off florescent lights if you will be gone for
more than 15 minutes. Optimize your use of natural light with
work or reading places near northern or southern windows away from
eastern and western sun glare.
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ELECTRONICS: Turn off power strips if nothing
on the strip is in use. Unplug unused electronics.
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COMPUTERS: Turn off your computer monitor if
you will be gone for more than 20 minutes. Turn off both your
computer and computer monitor if you will be gone for more than 2
hours. Use the sleep mode if your computer has one.
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ENERGY: Consider purchasing green energy from
your power company such as solar power, wind power, biomass power,
geothermal energy or hydropower. If your power company does
not have one of these options available, you may still be able to
invest in future programs.
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LAUNDRY: Wash your clothes in cold water when
possible. Clothesline dry your laundry on sunny days.
Shop for detergents that list which toxic chemicals are not in the
product. A generic statement such as "non-toxic" may be
gimmick so read the label carefully.
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GROCERIES: Shop locally. Use a cloth
reusable bag for groceries.
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COOKING: Use cookware that cooks at lower
temperatures such as cast iron or clay. Save your baking for
cooler hours.
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DISHES: Only run the dishwasher when it
is full. Run the dishwasher at night.
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GARDEN GREEN: Check out our article on
environmentally green gardening. Or see our article about
pet safe gardening.
Planning a major home improvement project?
The American Society of Interior Decorators has produced a
online regreen tool with directions for designers, contractors and consumers to
consider for remodel projects:
REGREEN GUIDELINES
"ASID
believes that, whenever feasible, interior designers should endeavor to
practice sustainable design. Interior designers should meet present-day
needs without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future
generations."
Online Resources
More ways to make your home green...
ENERGY SAVERS
.GOV
U.S. Government Web site you can find
information to help you save energy in your home, business, vehicle,
or industrial plant.
ENERGY STAR
A joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the
U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the
environment through energy efficient products and practices.
G2G -
GREEN2GREEN
Green2Green.org features comprehensive information regarding
green building products, materials and practices. The site offers
side-by-side comparisons of products using a variety of
environmental, technical and economic criteria.
GREEN BUILDING PAGES
Green Building Pages, Inc. is an on-line,
sustainable design and decision-making tool for building industry
professionals and environmentally and socially responsible consumer.
GREEN
HOME ENVIRONMENTAL STORE
We are, as we enter our fifth year of operation,
one of the longer-lasting environmental stores and resource centers
on the Internet.
GREEN HOME
GUIDE
GreenHomeGuide helps close the gap between intentions and practical
realities. We’re a trusted, community-based resource whose
combination of tips, case studies, expert Q&A articles and regional
directories of products and services helps create homes that feel
good.
GreenSpec Directory: BUILDING GREEN .COM
The online GreenSpec® Directory lists product
descriptions for over 2,000 environmentally preferable products. To
choose these products our editors conduct their own research based
on GreenSpec's current editorial focus. Thus not all product
suggestions we receive are selected for review. This independent
research ensures that our product descriptions contain unbiased,
quality information. Unlike many other directories, we do not charge
for listings or sell ads.
THE GREEN
GUIDE
Originated as a print newsletter in 1994, then
expanded into a web site, thegreenguide.com, in 2002, Green Guide
was acquired by National Geographic Society in March 2007, as part
of NGS' global commitment to inform and inspire people to care about
the planet.
LOW
IMPACT LIVING
At Low Impact Living, we want to help you lower the
environmental impact of your home and your daily life. To do that, we help you find the
best green products, practices and service providers to help you
achieve your environmental goals. And we will also help you
understand the environmental benefits and economic trade-offs of
your choices.
US
DEPT. OF ENERGY: A CONSUMER'S GUIDE
Explore your options for saving energy and using renewable energy at
home, at work, in your community, and while driving.
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