|
|
|
How can we live in harmony with our environment? What can we do to make our living space more healthy, and energy and resource-efficient? Here are a few simple ideas:
- Have an energy study on your home
- Control energy efficiency by sealing leakage in windows and doors
- Insulate the garage, attic, walls, ceilings and basement with natural, non-toxic materials like reclaimed blue jeans
- Protect windows from sunrays with shutters or awnings
- Open the windows instead of turning on air conditioning
- Turn down your heat thermostat and turn up your air conditioning thermostat
- Turn down the thermostat on your water heater and use an insulated blanket
- Invest in a high-efficiency furnace
- Clean your furnace and air conditioner filters
- Turn off lights
- Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs
- Hang up a clothesline
- Do laundry with warm or cold water
- Work close to home or at home
- Ride the bus
- Get in your car with a friend—double up
- Check your tires for proper inflation
- Pay your bills online
- Shut off your computer – end the paper chase
- Use your dishwasher only when its FULL
- Install low-flow showerheads
- Buy energy efficient appliances
- Recycle
- Say "no" to plastic bags—carry a cloth bag to the grocery
- Encourage non-toxic packaging—say no to unnecessary bagging
- Support your local farmer or plant a garden
- Rake your leaves-don't use a blower
Is remodeling in your future? NAHB Remodelers Council lists these as their "Top 8" Go Green improvements:
- Install maximum insulation in the remodeled areas
- Install high-efficiency windows
- Seal all exterior penetrations in the area being remodeled
- Purchase only ENERGY STAR rated appliances
- Install only low-flow water fixtures
- Upgrade to an ENERGY STAR rated water heater
- Or better yet, a tankless water heater
- Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford
For more information, visit these web sites:
|
|
|
|