Leading The Green Life doesn’t mean you have to move back to the farm, grow your own produce and give up your car and modern day conveniences.
There are many smaller-scale lifestyle changes that each of us can do to make a difference in the environment in the long run. Try these ideas yourself, and tell all your friends and family. Together, we can get our earth back to healthy and GREEN.
Home is where your comfort is. A place whose comfort you can protect…
+ Be sure to work with a heating & cooling company you can rely on. For your peace of mind, be sure the company is solid and not a “fly-by-night” company that can leave you “hung out to dry.”
+Upgrade your air filter for your family’s health. There are several types of permanent air filters available that can help filter the air in your home. Do you suffer from allergies, asthma, hay fever or other breathing difficulties? There is an air filter that can help you.
+Is the air quality in your home making you sick? Mold is one of the most common problems with the quality of air within a home. Mold can create asthma, hypersensitivity, and in some cases, lung disease. Additionally, mold creates maintenance problems. It’s activity results in dirty coils, a loss of airflow and loss of heat exchange efficiency. Make sure your heating & cooling systems have the correct technology to keep the quality of air in your home clean.
+ Energy-efficient air conditioning is a key concern to most homeowners. Are you concerned about high summer utility bills? You need to learn how to maintain your air conditioner, hire professional air conditioning services, and when you select your new air conditioner, ensure that it is installed properly. Correct use is also key in keeping overall costs at a minimum.
+Use thermally efficient windows to cut down on afternoon demand for air-conditioning.
+Consider a low-flow model shower. For a family of four, a low-flow model shower can cut usage by as much as 280 gallons per month!
Still looking for ways to live a GREEN lifestyle and also cut costs?
Consider using propane over electricity…
Propane can light your way to the front door, and greet you with warmth as you enter. It prepares your dinner, lights your fire, warms your bath and dries your clothes. Propane surrounds you and your family with comfort and value.
Hot Water. Cool Value.
+Propane water heaters are up to 30 percent less expensive to operate than electric water heaters. And propane tankless water heaters can cost 60 percent less to operate than electric ones. (U.S. Department of Energy).
+ Cook with gas. Propane gives you greater control and significant savings over electric models.
+ Don’t get taken to the cleaners. Propane dryers operate at about half the cost of electric dryers.
+More warmth. Less cost. Heating your home with gas costs an average of two times less than heating with electricity
+Power to the people. Propane-powered generators provide reliable energy in locations gas mains and power grids don’t reach.
+Propane is an exceptional choice. With propane as your energy source, your home is a more comfortable place to be. It’s also more attractive, because propane tanks can be buried underground to keep your house and landscaping looking their best.
+Hop in. The water’s perfect. Propane pool and spa heaters warm the water more quickly than electric heaters.
Try to make your home as GREEN as you can and still stay within your budget…
+Solar design buildings operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered homes. The homes are powerful, comfortable and stylish. Relaxed and elegant, wasting neither space nor energy.
+Today’s solar houses connect with nature to take advantage of heat and light from the sun and cooling breezes and shading. But, they crank this natural advantage way up by using the newest products and technologies on the market.
Want an idea of some of the techniques that go into a solar energy efficient and environmentally sustainable home?
Look for these types of building materials and techniques….
+Caulk with low volatile organic compound content.
+Cellulose insulation made from recycled newspaper.
+Engineered wood products stretch wood resources, are structurally superior, and can be made from new growth trees.
+Advanced framing techniques save lumber while allowing complete coverage of insulation on exterior walls.
+Look for companies that offer energy-saving windows and insulation, high-efficiency appliances and tankless water features.
Empower yourself and the environment by using renewable energy technologies. Renewable energy sources, such as solar powered homes, using resources such as wind, water and shade can improve the quality of life and promote sustainable development throughout the world. Solared paneled homes can meet or exceed the energy efficient requirements of several state and federal initiatives.
Home Improvement & Remodeling Companies will by major players in The Go Green movement.
Be careful when choosing remodeling materials. Many materials contain hazardous chemicals. Repairs on your home can be made with recycled or alternative resources.
+Many paint companies have developed products that perform well, but hardly give off volatile organic chemicals. H20 paint is the first low-VOC latex spray paint that can be cleaned up with water and is made from 99% food-graded ingredients.
+Does your home need a new roof? Look to companies dedicated to providing energy efficient, environmentally friendly roofing materials. Your new roof should be able to withstand extreme weather conditions for a lifetime.
+Siding companies across the country are providing solutions to the siding problems that plague homeowners everywhere. Constant maintenance required by wood, particile board or stucco, and vinyl’s vulnerability all lead to soaring heating and cooling costs.
+By putting siding on your home you will save on utility bills. In some cases, new siding can decrease energy use up to 30%. Look for companies that offer 5-year warranties on their products, insulation and lifetime fade and performance.
+When replacing appliances look for products that are cost efficient and use less water or electricity. Many companies are offering clothes washers, using 50% less energy than standard washers.
+Changing light bulbs and fixtures help preserve energy resources and reduce the risks of global warming. In order to save the most energy, replace your used fixtures with energy efficient models.
+Seal the air leaks that cause uncomfortable drafts. Add insulation to your home. These two cost effective improvements and upgrades will add comfort to your home.
+Consider a whole-house assessment to uncover your homes’ performance problems and determine improvements that can be.
You Can Recycle At Home, Your Workplace, or at School….
Recycling is the third R of the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle.
When you recycle you take a product and or material and at the end of its useful life, turn it into a usable material to make another product or material.
Some tips….
+Don’t throw your television away. It is a hazardous waste and many charitable organizations and training programs repair equipment for reuse.
+Have you ever thought where that aluminum can you drink beverages out of goes after you throw it in the nearest recycling bin? They are gathered and begin a complex recycling process and ready to return to store shelves, sometimes in as little as 60 days.
+Choose the reusable alternatives to disposable products. Use sponges or rags instead of paper towels. Use re-usable razors instead of disposable shavers. Washable plates instead of paper. Plates are prettier and more fun than paper plates anyway!
+ Look for containers that can be reused or at least recycled (glass and aluminum.)
+Buy fruits and vegetables, grains, pastas, and any loose items without packaging (especially avoid Styrofoam and plastic packaging.)
+Bring a Bag: When grocery shopping, stop agonizing over paper vs. plastic. Just bring your own bag.
+Install covers on pools and spas to avoid water evaporation.
+Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when full. You could save 1,000 gallons a month.
+At work, use lightweight paper. Lighter paper requires less energy and fewer raw materials when it’s manufactured. Copy on both sides of the paper. This is especially efficient for internal documents and drafts.