Even if you’re sick of the term “Going Green”, it’s likely that you are at least aware of the benefits of conserving our resources and trying to do our part in keeping the Earth clean on a certain level. Environmentally-responsible homes are a great way to start this process, especially if you’re having your home built for you. A few things here and a tweak or two there can do wonders for you in the long run. Here are few advantages of setting up your new home in this fashion:
Save Money: You might not realize it, but adapting your home to the environment around it and taking steps to ensure efficiency really doesn’t cost much more than standard procedures. Even if there is a slightly bigger monetary cost at the outset, you will find that within a few months, you have already made up the difference in efficiency. In today’s economy, many people worry daily about their future financial situations and what the road holds for them three years down the line. You can realistically save thousands of dollars in a few short years by attuning your home to environmentally-responsible standards.
Breathe Better: If your home is environmentally friendly, the air inside will be free of much of the debris and harmful particles that are in everyday homes. This can be especially beneficial in homes that host the elderly or folks with inherent breathing problems such as asthma or emphysema. There are ventilation systems with earth-friendly filters that are much more effective than the current systems, and they are available for less than you may think.
Less Maintenance: As you build your home, planning ahead is key. We’ve all seen the implementations of numerous city councils and planners around the country, and how year by year they are taking steps that demand environmentally-friendly homes. Many have told the tale of being required to upgrade something either in their practices at home or at their business that did not meet “industry standards” anymore. Seeing the current trend and taking action now rather than later can save you a bundle. It’s much cheaper to install such products initially rather than having to take down existing schemes and replace them later.
It’s not that serious and it doesn’t have to cost that much. All it takes is a little planning and a little initiative and you can have an environmentally-responsible home that will save you loads in throughout this next generation.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
Save Money and Reduce Carbon Emissions
Second to the refrigerator, the clothes dryer is a household’s worst offender in terms of energy efficiency. For an average household in the United States, a clothes dryer takes up 6 percent of the total energy use, costing each household around $100 per year in energy, and emitting 1,440 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air. In fact, clothes dryers are so inefficient, that energy star doesn’t label a single one.
The good news is that drying clothing in a machine is not necessary. Okay, I realize it is convenient, but if your goals and priorities are a healthy planet, sometimes convenience takes a back seat.
In reality though, avoiding a dryer is not really that hard. The sun provides plenty of free energy, and depending on where you live, you can probably dry your clothes outside in the open air most of the year. Think of the benefits: money saved, and a little extra exercise to help you stay fit. And nothing beats the smell of clothes dried outside in the warm, summer air.
The good news is that drying clothing in a machine is not necessary. Okay, I realize it is convenient, but if your goals and priorities are a healthy planet, sometimes convenience takes a back seat.
In reality though, avoiding a dryer is not really that hard. The sun provides plenty of free energy, and depending on where you live, you can probably dry your clothes outside in the open air most of the year. Think of the benefits: money saved, and a little extra exercise to help you stay fit. And nothing beats the smell of clothes dried outside in the warm, summer air.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Green Homes
So is it safe to say that you are aware of what it means to “Go Green?” The craze of green has taken over just about every aspect of society from the news, politics, fashion, nutrition and even technology making it difficult to properly define green. Though the overall outcome and motivation for going green is of course to aid in creating a better eco-friendly environment and allocation of resources for the future generations – it is exceptionally beneficial to you as well. As the craze takes off it has driven more and more people to take green into their homes, and I say that literally. Custom built green homes and buildings have become a popular investment that assists the environment and consumers alike. If you are building a home it is beneficial for numerous reasons to begin building a green home.
The first and foremost reasoning for building a green home is Energy Savings. This is done by increasing your water and heating efficiencies. There are many ways that this is done. Making sure that your home is properly insulated is a key factor. Most homes have insulation; however, making sure that you’re insulated with high quality insulation and the key word “properly” installed insulation greatly increases its efficiency. There are many voids where insulation can be installed and making sure that all of home is insulated correctly is vastly important. Another factor is upgraded windows and doors. Doubled paned windows are a must and appropriate weather stripping increases its effectiveness. Installing energy efficient appliances and systems takes another step in making sure your home is holding its value.
Another reason to go with a green home is your health. Green homes are designed to decrease the amount of air pollutants within your home by better ventilation systems. This is done in many ways from the design of the home to the ventilation system and filters used in itself – all of which plays a role in the overall air quality.
Because a green home is built to be of higher quality – less maintenance is required. When it comes to building a green home the key words are properly and efficient, and when products are installed properly and efficiently they require less maintenance. This lack of constant maintenance can play a huge role in the time and money put into the upkeep of a home.
The fact is that building a green home isn’t only good for the environment, contrarily; it offers an array of long and short term benefits for you, your home, and your family.
The first and foremost reasoning for building a green home is Energy Savings. This is done by increasing your water and heating efficiencies. There are many ways that this is done. Making sure that your home is properly insulated is a key factor. Most homes have insulation; however, making sure that you’re insulated with high quality insulation and the key word “properly” installed insulation greatly increases its efficiency. There are many voids where insulation can be installed and making sure that all of home is insulated correctly is vastly important. Another factor is upgraded windows and doors. Doubled paned windows are a must and appropriate weather stripping increases its effectiveness. Installing energy efficient appliances and systems takes another step in making sure your home is holding its value.
Another reason to go with a green home is your health. Green homes are designed to decrease the amount of air pollutants within your home by better ventilation systems. This is done in many ways from the design of the home to the ventilation system and filters used in itself – all of which plays a role in the overall air quality.
Because a green home is built to be of higher quality – less maintenance is required. When it comes to building a green home the key words are properly and efficient, and when products are installed properly and efficiently they require less maintenance. This lack of constant maintenance can play a huge role in the time and money put into the upkeep of a home.
The fact is that building a green home isn’t only good for the environment, contrarily; it offers an array of long and short term benefits for you, your home, and your family.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Tips For Energy Efficient For Your House
The ideas listed here are are just some of the items that can be done to lessen your energy expenditures month in, month out. They have low or no fees and may be performed quickly to allow you to be secure, comfy all the while helping the environment and being economical. Share these with the whole family and try to get each person included.
1. Install a programmable thermostat in order to maintain your own home pleasantly heated in winter and adequately cool in the summertime.
2. Take advantage of compact fluorescent light bulbs using the ENERGY STAR® label.
3. Air dry the dishes as opposed to using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
4. Put off your PC and keep track of when not in use.
5. Connect home electronics, including TVs and DVD players, right into power strips; flip the power strips off if the products are not in take advantage of (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still employ several watts of power).
6. Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.
7. Take short showers as opposed to baths.
8. Clean mainly full loads of the dishes and clothes. With clothing take advantage of cold water.
9. Drive shrewdly. Aggressive driving (racing, quick acceleration and braking) squanders gasoline
10. Check for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and merchandise.
11. Ensure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are correctly cared for. Check your owner’s manuals for the suggested repair.
12. Search for open fireplace dampers and make certain they are closed when not in use.
13. Look at the insulation values in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.
14. Look at for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air right into or out of your home.
15. You may also get the assistance of a professional.
1. Install a programmable thermostat in order to maintain your own home pleasantly heated in winter and adequately cool in the summertime.
2. Take advantage of compact fluorescent light bulbs using the ENERGY STAR® label.
3. Air dry the dishes as opposed to using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
4. Put off your PC and keep track of when not in use.
5. Connect home electronics, including TVs and DVD players, right into power strips; flip the power strips off if the products are not in take advantage of (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still employ several watts of power).
6. Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.
7. Take short showers as opposed to baths.
8. Clean mainly full loads of the dishes and clothes. With clothing take advantage of cold water.
9. Drive shrewdly. Aggressive driving (racing, quick acceleration and braking) squanders gasoline
10. Check for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and merchandise.
11. Ensure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are correctly cared for. Check your owner’s manuals for the suggested repair.
12. Search for open fireplace dampers and make certain they are closed when not in use.
13. Look at the insulation values in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.
14. Look at for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air right into or out of your home.
15. You may also get the assistance of a professional.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Tips for choosing a new green car
Choosing a greener car can have a direct financial benefit for you as well as helping to conserve our environment for all Australians and future generations. Buying a vehicle that is more fuel efficient can save you thousands of dollars on fuel bills and many tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the vehicle's life.
As a new car buyer there will be a range of factors that are important in making your final choice of vehicle. As a major financial investment and a decision that will be with you for a number of years, it is important to purchase the car that best meets your needs.
Assess your needs carefully. In doing so, consider your day-to-day transport requirements, eg. passengers carried and cargo capacity required, and match these requirements to a vehicle that can provide them (or a good compromise).
You may wish to draw up a list of the features you want in a car. Then think about what other factors will influence your decision, and add these to the list. How important is each of these in coming to your final decision?
Consider how often, if at all, you may need certain features, such as off road capacity or a larger engine for towing. These features may come at an extra financial cost and an extra cost to the environment. Given that many of these costs will be ongoing for the life of your car/s, it is important to make the right decision.
Research all possibilities, ask friends/family about cars, visit car dealers to look at various models and search the Internet for relevant websites, including those set up by manufacturers, motor magazines, and motoring clubs, etc. Ask questions! If there are any 'car terms' you don't understand, now is the time to ask.
Before buying a new vehicle, refer to the Green Vehicle Guide ratings. Detailed information helps identify individual vehicle models, including the make, model and variant name, engine and transmission, body style, seating and fuel type. Further information to help you compare each vehicle's impact on the environment includes the - Greenhouse Rating (based on CO2 emissions); Air Pollution Rating (based primarily on emission standards); an overall 'Star' Rating (a combination of the Greenhouse Rating and Air Pollution Rating); and Fuel Consumption (in L/100km). You can use the Green Vehicle Guide to identify the vehicle with the highest ratings which meets your needs.
Remember, larger cars and those with bigger engines often consume more fuel, which not only increases your fuel bills, but increases the level of greenhouse gas emissions. Commercial style vehicles and large off road vehicles are usually built to less stringent emission standards than "regular" passenger cars, so produce more air pollutants. If you are in a showroom, look for the Fuel Consumption Label on the front windscreen, which provides information on fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions from the vehicle.
As a new car buyer there will be a range of factors that are important in making your final choice of vehicle. As a major financial investment and a decision that will be with you for a number of years, it is important to purchase the car that best meets your needs.
Assess your needs carefully. In doing so, consider your day-to-day transport requirements, eg. passengers carried and cargo capacity required, and match these requirements to a vehicle that can provide them (or a good compromise).
You may wish to draw up a list of the features you want in a car. Then think about what other factors will influence your decision, and add these to the list. How important is each of these in coming to your final decision?
Consider how often, if at all, you may need certain features, such as off road capacity or a larger engine for towing. These features may come at an extra financial cost and an extra cost to the environment. Given that many of these costs will be ongoing for the life of your car/s, it is important to make the right decision.
Research all possibilities, ask friends/family about cars, visit car dealers to look at various models and search the Internet for relevant websites, including those set up by manufacturers, motor magazines, and motoring clubs, etc. Ask questions! If there are any 'car terms' you don't understand, now is the time to ask.
Before buying a new vehicle, refer to the Green Vehicle Guide ratings. Detailed information helps identify individual vehicle models, including the make, model and variant name, engine and transmission, body style, seating and fuel type. Further information to help you compare each vehicle's impact on the environment includes the - Greenhouse Rating (based on CO2 emissions); Air Pollution Rating (based primarily on emission standards); an overall 'Star' Rating (a combination of the Greenhouse Rating and Air Pollution Rating); and Fuel Consumption (in L/100km). You can use the Green Vehicle Guide to identify the vehicle with the highest ratings which meets your needs.
Remember, larger cars and those with bigger engines often consume more fuel, which not only increases your fuel bills, but increases the level of greenhouse gas emissions. Commercial style vehicles and large off road vehicles are usually built to less stringent emission standards than "regular" passenger cars, so produce more air pollutants. If you are in a showroom, look for the Fuel Consumption Label on the front windscreen, which provides information on fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions from the vehicle.
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