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Tips For Lowering Your Home’s Energy and Water Usage

May 24, 2021 0

Your home’s energy bill continues to rise to the degree of you exploring green living options. How can you make your home more energy-efficient without paying thousands for upgrades? Consider these tips for lowering your home’s energy and water usage.

Get Regular HVAC Maintenance

Your home’s efficiency begins with proper maintenance, which is critical to improving airflow throughout the home. Simply replacing your air filters every three to six months can reduce the air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

It is also a good idea to have your HVAC system evaluated by a professional at least once per year. A certified specialist can give you a complete health report that tells you which components need to be changed. A report will also tell you how long you have until you need to replace the system entirely.

Make Improvements Outdoors

An energy-efficient roof is a great way to promote green living in your home. A green roof absorbs the heat from the sun to keep the residence warm during the winter months. Green roofs also help deflect excess sunlight that could lead to hotter days indoors during the summer months.

You may also consider using solar lighting outdoors. This option is affordable and can be controlled with motion sensors, which extend the lifetime of the system.

Solar panels are a great way to reduce energy costs as well. Many who choose solar paneling find themselves saving hundreds, or even thousands, on electric bills. It is even estimated that consumers and businesses can save as much as $20,000 per year on utility bills by going with solar panels.

Consider A Low Flow Toilet

Did you know that flushing the toilet is responsible for about 38% of your home’s water usage? Your water bill rises to even higher amounts if, like many families in the United States, you have more than one bathroom in the home.

Converting existing toilets to low-flow lavatories can save anywhere from two to five gallons per flush. You may also consider replacing your shower head while also fixing leaking faucets to further reduce your water bill.

Adjust Your Furniture

Placing your sofa underneath the vent is a good idea when you plan to watch television for hours. You may find yourself in a dilemma, however, when you move about your home while enjoying air conditioning or heat.

Rearranging your furniture is a good way to improve airflow and help lower your electric bill. You are more inclined to change the temperature on your thermostat when you feel like the home is not getting enough circulation. The reality, however, is that your sofa is probably consuming more energy by being in the direct path of the air.

Consider moving your big furniture items away from the vents. It may even be a good idea to leave the area in the path of vents open completely, so the air has full reign to flow through the home.

Consider Renovations With Good ROIs

The majority of Americans, about 61%, will choose to renovate a home instead of moving out entirely. Choosing improvements that contribute to better energy efficiency is a great way to tackle the problem of high electric bills.

Consider replacing single-pane windows with double or triple-pane windows. This improvement keeps the air flowing from the HVAC system inside the home.

You can also consider implementingĀ tailored energy management solutions for your homeĀ that can help monitor and optimize usage in real time, making it easier to reduce waste and lower utility costs.

Also, make certain to insulate your living space and the home’s attic with durable weather stripping. Sealing openings with caulk is also a great way to insulate for better energy efficiency.

Green living works to save the planet and money on your utility bills. Use these tips to make your home more efficient.

Living Sustainably and Healthily with Your Garden

May 10, 2021 0

Many people would attest to the many benefits gardening has on oneā€™s mental and physical health. There is no denying the peace that comes with being able to nurture a plant from its earliest days up until it’s time for harvesting. Gardening also comes in various shapes and forms; it can merely be a hobby you like to invest some time in after a stressful day at the office, or it can even be a means of putting food on the table. Growing your own vegetable garden can offer a means of providing food for your family and saving on costs while doing so, as well as stir up a passion for producing fresh products and doing your part for the environment.

If you would like to cultivate your own vegetable garden but arenā€™t sure where to start, try doing some research on what fruits and vegetables you can start off with that require minimal space and offer substantial produce – this can kick-start your gardening journey and also provide you with significant rewards within a short period of time. Gardening may also motivate you even further to help lessen the effects we humans have on the environment. There are also many health benefits associated with gardening that make it even more worthwhile, providing a win-win situation for you and your outdoor sanctuary. Have a look down below at some of these health benefits that explain why gardening is a must for any person looking to live a healthy and positive life.

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Eco-Friendly Ideas For Your New Place

May 6, 2021 0

Why is it important to create an eco-friendly home? Nationwide, household energy consumption accounts for 20% of all emissions. Further, ‘If you consider indirect emissions, this figure is closer to 80%,’ PBS reports.

Simply put, these figures are not good. Thankfully, there are simple things you can do around your home to improve its looks and do your part to lower your carbon footprint. Follow these eco-friendly tips to decorate your new home.

Keep Packing Materials

If you are renting, chances are you move somewhat frequently. In fact, one-third will move at least once per year. Whether you move annually or biannually, keep your packing materials on hand for the next time you move. This is especially important for fragile items, like decorations and glassware, that require extra packing materials to move.

If you move frequently, use reusable materials, like sheets, blankets, towels, cardboard boxes, and corrugated wrap roll made out of recycled paper. Some companies even rent eco-friendly plastic boxes for you to use during your move and return when you finish unpacking.

Spruce Up the Place with Sustainable Rugs

Area rugs, accent rugs, and runners can go a long way to spruce up any given space and make it truly feel like home. If you choose to go this route, make sure you choose sustainable rugs made out of natural fibers.

The average rug — up to 90% of all rugs — is machine-made in a factory. These mass-produced rugs contain petroleum-based synthetic fiber, and that chemical-based fiber releases potentially harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Choose rugs made out of recycled plastic, jute, or seagrass instead.

Support Local Businesses

Buying local is always best. Small, local businesses are far more likely to use sustainable packaging materials and make as many of their products onsite as they can. That cuts down on exorbitant shipping costs and emissions.

Big box retailers and large, international companies, on the other hand, want to make production as economical as possible. That often means taking shortcuts, like using more packaging, cheaper packaging, and/or mass-producing products in factories overseas.

Buy your decor and household necessities from a small, local business. If you are unsure where to start, why not go for a drive? As many as 35% of customers find local businesses simply by seeing signs for them as they pass.

Purchase Indoor Plants

Indoor plants improve the appearance of your apartment or house while improving indoor air quality and boosting your mood as well. Ficus trees, spider plants, and Boston ferns are some of the most effective plant varieties when it comes to improving the air quality in your home.

Decorate with Art You Love

Art brings us joy. It is scientifically proven. In fact, a 2011 study out of the University of London showed that looking at a beloved painting is similar to looking at a loved one: it stimulates the blood flow in the parts of our brains responsible for joy and happiness by as much as 10%.

For guilt-free art in your home, search for artists that choose eco-friendly materials. More artists are using sustainable paints and recycled materials than in the past. Ask artists how they keep their work environmentally friendly.

Another option is to support local artists. Once again, local artists use fewer materials and produce fewer emissions than their large, commercial counterparts. Purchasing from a large retailer will involve shipping, which will entail using and supporting trucks that emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. You can purchase from local artists without any shipping involved at all. Simply visit a nearby gallery, art market, or art show.

Doing your part for the environment starts in your home. Make your new apartment or house look stylish and beautiful all the while keeping it eco-friendly and sustainable with the tips above.

How to Become More Eco-Friendly in Construction Projects

May 3, 2021 0

The United States has a market share of 10% of the global construction industry and this makes it the second-largest construction market in the world. Yet, it doesn’t stop there, because this market is continuously showing new growth.

In 2017, the solar market advanced by 29.3%. Additionally, worldwide nations were installing 98.9% of new capacity gigawatt power for solar purposes. Whether you want to invest in solar or rely on recycled goods for your construction project, there are plenty of ways to make it eco-friendly. Let’s take a look at a few strategies that will help make your construction project a bit greener.

Advancing Our Health and Safety

Green living and sustainability in construction implicate the manipulation of building materials that are friends to the environment. These materials include the use of paints and solvents that are non-toxic. This eco-friendliness is how recreational areas, offices, and homes are designed.

When a construction company uses toxic solvents or paint during conventional construction, it may result in many health complications. These include, respiratory, migraines, skin disorders and many other issues. The use of eco-friendly materials has proven to be beneficial over extended periods for everyone involved.

Enhancing Techniques for Demolition

Eco-friendly practices also affect how construction companies discard the old materials they are replacing such as structural steel and concrete. These materials are no longer dumped into a landfill to pollute the earth; instead they are recycled. Facilities designed to recycle non-usable materials will crush everything up at an industrial crushing site.

Almost any construction materials can be recycled. This includes materials used for flooring, ceilings, and even carpet. Every time a contractor uses recycled material it offers them the opportunity for considerable savings on a project.

In addition, the use of recycled materials enables the construction company to deter additional expenditures related to dumping toxic materials. If you’re working with a project manager, who oversees all steps of the construction process, ask them about how they can recycle their materials. It can help their bottom line as well as the environment.

Using Materials Sourced Locally

A lot goes into the transporting aspect of shipping materials along long spaces. With an emphasis on green living in construction, materials that are being locally sourced are emphasized. This means that the construction process becomes more efficient as its carbon footprint is reduced. These companies are able to support local business by using materials that are near the area of the job site. Waste should also be taken into account when trying to be eco-friendly. There areĀ experts in concrete waste removalĀ who are committed to sustainability, so you can feel happy in the knowledge that you are helping the environment.

Recycling Water Whenever Possible

Another imperative part to viable construction is the conservation of water. Whether it is commercial, residential or industrial construction, when water can be conserved it proves beneficial. This means implementing such strategies as setting up a system for collecting rainwater. Recycled rain water is able to be useful for irrigating landscapes. HVAC water condensation may be gathered and also recycled. When we recycle valuable water sources we are taken advantage of a valuable resource that would otherwise go wasted.

Using the Wind and Sun

As technology advances, so does our knowledge of what the wind and sun can do in providing a solution to sustainability. Solar energy isn’t just a cheaper method of power, it also lowers our reliance on electricity and the grid. Homes and other buildings become a natural source for generating energy with the use of solar power.

Another green living option is the use of wind to create clean, renewable energy. Turbine farms have been created for the production of giving natural energy to any building. An advantage to using wind turbines for energy is that it needs little upkeep to keep it operating. Air quality is maintained indoors, as well as decreasing investments in utilities is an added asset to the use of wind turbines.

As we have just explained throughout this article, there are many advantages to using the planet’s resources. Green living allows us to improve our living conditions and not destroy the planet in the process.

5 Tips For an Eco-Friendly Home

May 3, 2021 0

Making your home more eco-friendly can mean adding a modular addition, reducing water usage, using sustainable materials, buying Energy Star appliances, or finding ways to save energy with electronics. Below we give you some tips on eco-friendly tips and practices.

Go Modular With A New Home or Addition

Modular homes are built in factories and the materials stored in the warehouses, eliminate weather-related problems. Custom-built modular homes and additions have many designs and builders work with customers to find the best one. They have many home designs and plans to choose from. A modular home can be built in a third of the time it takes to construct other types of homes. Modular homes also reduce energy consumption by 67%, no matter what the climate is like. Modular homes have less heat loss due to tighter construction and sealants used.

When you buy a modular home, you will need to own property to put it on. You can choose eco-friendly materials to use in the design and construction. The styles of homes are Cape Cod, green home, contemporary, colonial, ranch, and tiny house. Modular home additions can be a good way to add on an addition to your home. It can be attached to the side of your home and create an additional living space, a new kitchen, or other rooms. A modular addition can be placed on top of a one-story house to make it two-story.

Before building a modular addition find out the zoning laws in your state. Modular additions can be apartments, rooms, sheds, garages, studios, or guest houses. Modular homes and addition are environmentally friendly, save on utilities, and the construction timeline is shorter.

Focus on Water Usage

Conserve water at home by fixing any leaky pipes or faucets because you can lose hundreds of gallons this way. Install low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads that reduce the amount of water used. Traditional toilets use about 28% of water in your home or condo. Other models that use less water are pressure-assisted or dual flush toilets. Run the dishwasher only when it is full, and consider washing some dishes by hand. Install instant hot water heaters in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. These small devices supply hot water when needed, and reduce water usage from 27 to 50%. Water the lawn and garden with a hose or watering can. Consider using drip irrigation for larger yards or soaker hoses to reduce water use.

Look For Items Made Out of Eco-Friendly Materials

Powder coatings are environmentally friendly finishes used on surfaces inside and outside your home. They can be used on doors, windows, handles, doorknobs, appliances, walls, and wood. This type of coating is safer than some paints that emit harmful chemicals. It is a tough and durable coating and environmentally friendly. It can be recycled, and it complies with environmental standards. Powder coatings have low VOC emissions and are free of solvents.

When installing flooring use eco-friendly materials bamboo, cork, or reclaimed wood. Hire contractors that use recycled materials or salvaged items when building made of glass, stone, wood, steel, and metals. Salvaged wood planks can be used for flooring in the home, recycled tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms, and some consumers insulate with sheep’s wool soybean foam spay. Recycled materials reduce waste and make use of eco-friendly materials.

Opt For Replacing Appliances With Energy Star Rated Brands

Energy Star appliances are certified by the US Department of Energy and use 10 to 50% less energy. This means you will save on electricity and water use lowering your monthly bills. Refrigerators use the most electricity of all home appliances. Buying a new Energy Star refrigerator will help reduce the electric bill by about 20%. Many of these appliances have rebates and tax credits for purchasing them. Some utility companies offer savings for using these appliances. They make dishwashers, air conditioning, washer, dyers, and water heaters with this label.

Make Sure You Have Energy Saving Measures In Place

Electronics use tons of energy, computers, TV, cell phone, and home entertainment systems. Use power strips for TVs and computers and turn them off when not in use. Consider having a time limit for watching TV or using the computer. Unplug electronics as they still use power when plugged in. After charging your cell phone, unplug it and turn it off at times. Customize power options on your computer, most Windows computers have this option. Look for electronic equipment with the Energy Star label. In 2019, there were many data breaches that exposed over 4 billion records of private information. Investing in software that protects your computer and electronics is a reasonable investment. Most programs are safe and reasonably priced.

With these tips, your home will be much more eco-friendly. An eco-friendly home isn’t just good for the environment, but it can also save you money in the long run.

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