Entries Tagged 'Going Green Tips' ↓
July 23rd, 2010 — Going Green Tips, Green Construction
If you are confused when it comes to green building products and the claims that are being made by their manufacturers, you are not the only one. Navigating the complex world behind green products and the claims that they make is not always easy, but it has become necessary in this day and age.
While there is still a lot of work that needs to be done when it comes to establishing reliable standards for green products and the attributes that define them, there is good news: There are a large number of really dedicated people that are working hard on this particular problem, and there are already a large number of resources that are available to help people like you find the right comfort level when using third party verifications of these products and the green product claims that they make. When you understand the complexities behind the selection of green products, and you understand how these products are certified and labeled, then you can better choose the right products.
Ultimately, whether you are getting information about green products from your local supplier, from the manufacturer directly or through surfing on the internet, the most critical thing that you can do is to trust your source and to understand the criteria that stands behind the recommendations that are being made to you.
Greenwash Factor: Greenwashing is what you have when companies make false, exaggerated or misleading claims, whether intentionally or unintentionally. There are some ways to determine whether or not greenwashing is being perpetrated. Is the claim being made obviously false, or is it irrelevant or unrelated to the product at hand? Is the claim so generic that it doesn't make sense, or does it only address a single feature when other features are being ignored? If you cannot verify a claim online, then greenwashing is obviously being perpetrated.
Independence Levels: Who is backing up the green product claims that are being made? First party certifications are made by directly associated parties such as manufacturers, second party certifications are made by outside organizations with financial interests in the product, and third party independence levels are made by unbiased parties. Knowing where the certification is coming from should help you make a better decision, but not enough to make a concrete one.
So what is the best course of action here? There is no single solution to this problem, at least not yet. Trying to select a single green product is just the same as trying to select a non green product. Use the criteria that you have here to evaluate, but create your own criteria as well. If there is not yet a certification process in place for a product you seek, you will have to rely on your own personal greenwash radar in order to filter out improper and unrealistic claims that are thrown at you. The system of independently verified claims for green products will eventually sort itself out.
Photo Credits: sreenisreedharan
Originally posted 2009-07-20 14:16:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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Sensible and Cost Effective Green Building Green construction has to be neither cost prohibitive or complicated, according to experts at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference. According to these experts, building homes that are green and energy efficient does not have to be rocket science at all, but rather you can build a very efficient home at...... -
Quick and Easy Steps to Green Remodeling For a lot of home remodelers, the idea of going green can be absolutely overwhelming. Luckily, there is a wealth of information out there, and just because you are not already implementing these ideas, that does not mean you're too far behind to make some leeway. According to leading remodelers...... -
Ten Tips Toward a More Eco Friendly Home Tip 1 - Turn the lights off any time that they are not needed, even if you are just moving from room to room in the course of your day. According to Energy Star, as much as 20 percent of a home's overall energy use comes from its lighting. Using......
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July 22nd, 2010 — Going Green Tips, Green Construction, Home
Green construction has to be neither cost prohibitive or complicated, according to experts at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference. According to these experts, building homes that are green and energy efficient does not have to be rocket science at all, but rather you can build a very efficient home at a very low cost. The following is a collection of building practices that are attainable and sustainable that can help you make your building projects greener without requiring a lot of money.
Energy Efficiency -
In most green building certification programs, energy efficiency plays a very large role. Consumers want homes that offer reduced costs of operation. Begin by building the home to require less air conditioning in the first place, and make sure that the air conditioning unit is charged properly otherwise the system's SEER may drop out. When installing insulation, make sure to use the thermal bypass checklist by Energy Star, which shows common insulation installation mistakes and how they can be avoided. The most cost effective features for saving energy tend to vary based on the climate for your local, for example tankless water heaters are excellent for climates like San Diego where you do not need much heat or air conditioning.
Durability -
Install backer board that is resistant to moisture, such as DensShield Tile Backer by Georgia Pacific, because standard gypsum board is an excellent breeding ground for mold, which needs to be avoided. Concentrating on the initial design is the best way to provide the biggest bang for the amount of money that you are spending. Another thing worth implementing is to avoid roof pitches that intersect with vertical wall planes, because this can cause problems relating to moisture management. Remember the basics when it comes to durability, most of all. One tip that was recommended was to avoid reverse shingling house wrap, which can cause enormous problems in the long run.
Water Efficiency -
Aim to install high efficiency fixtures and appliances, as high efficiency dishwashers can use only 5 to 7 gallons of water per load rather than 12 gallons for example. Other high efficiency fixtures are also useful, such as toilets, showers, washing machines and faucets, many of which can provide savings of up to 50%. You should also work to install water conserving landscaping, avoiding invasive species and only using low flow irrigation systems, drip and bubbler systems along with smart irrigation controllers for the best results.
Resource Conservation -
You should avoid using plants in your landscaping that require a lot of shearing, because green waste like this can take up a lot of space in local landfills. Instead, include a built in recycling center so that recycling can be made easier for homeowners.
There are many building practices that can create greener homes without requiring much more money in the process.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-02-04 05:50:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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Taking DIY Disasters into Your Own Hands Watching home improvement television may inspire you to tackle your own home renovation projects, but just as quickly as you found the inspiration to get started, you will find yourself getting over your head. Every year, millions of Americans are tackling their own home remodeling projects, both large and small....... - Ten Tips Toward a More Eco Friendly Home Tip 1 - Turn the lights off any time that they are not needed, even if you are just moving from room to room in the course of your day. According to Energy Star, as much as 20 percent of a home's overall energy use comes from its lighting. Using......
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July 21st, 2010 — Going Green Tips, Green Construction, Home
For a lot of home remodelers, the idea of going green can be absolutely overwhelming. Luckily, there is a wealth of information out there, and just because you are not already implementing these ideas, that does not mean you're too far behind to make some leeway. According to leading remodelers in the industry, the best way to handle green remodeling is not to allow yourself to become swamped, as long as you take things one step at a time. Do not try to take everything on at once, but rather, pick one or two things to green up your projects and go from there. You do not have to go to the extreme in order to have a green remodel. Keep these small and quick tips in mind and you can green up your remodeling project without overwhelming yourself in the process.
Low-E Windows filled with Aragon Gas -
You may not immediately think of it, but one of the easiest ways that you can go green is through the use of these windows. They allow you to significantly reduce heat gain because they reflect light during the summer months, and they help to keep heat inside during the winter months as well. If you make these windows your standard replacement windows, you can actually save money for homeowners and can reduce their reliance on artificial heating sources that produce harmful greenhouse gasses.
High Efficiency Furnaces -
Another area that you can easily sell to homeowners is high efficiency furnaces because of the energy payback. If a homeowner has to replace a furnace anyway, why not pay a little bit more if it means getting significant savings in return? Because utility bills are continuing to go up, anything that cuts the use of energy in the home is usually a big seller with homeowners who are looking to remodel.
Paints and Finishes with Low-VOC Ratings -
This one will cost more rather than saving any money for the homeowner, but it is all about improving their general comfort and health instead. These paints do not have any volatile organic compounds in them, preventing home owners from having negative reactions to them.
Dual Flush Toilets -
These are toilets that offer two flushing options; one for liquid waste and one for solid, and they use the bare minimum of water required for each, saving the homeowner a significant amount of money in the process. They offer significant savings over toilets from earlier than 1992, going from the standard of 5 gallons per flush to 0.8 to 1.6 gallons for liquid and solid waste respectively.
Low Flow Fixtures -
There are many faucets and showerheads that exist to reduce water, offering a savings of as much as 25 to 60 percent.
Reconfigure First -
Can you find a way to offer what the homeowner is looking for without requiring additional space? Sometimes the clients believe that they want more space, but really all they require is a space that is more efficiently designed. Smaller homes can use fewer materials and will require much less energy for heating and cooling.
Purchasing Locally -
Increasing how much you buy locally will significantly reduce your impact on the environment, even without changing anything else. One of the biggest ways that a product has an affect on the environment is the transportation of those materials across the state, country or even across the world.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-02-02 05:46:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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July 20th, 2010 — Going Green Tips, Green Construction, Home
Are you looking to save the environment, but you cannot afford costly options like solar panels? Are you looking for a way to cut down on your energy costs, but are not all together sure about installing wind turbines in your back yard? Don't worry! There are plenty of things that you can do to go green that are easy and affordable, allowing you to make big changes while staying within your budget.
Here are some basic green living tips that will allow you to stay within your budget while conducting eco friendly home and yard makeovers for greener living.
Start by performing a home energy audit, checking to see first if your local utilities do this kind of service or finding another service that may. The auditor needs to make a complete inventory of all of the appliances in your home that use electricity or water. Performing an energy audit is an excellent way to find out how efficient or how inefficient your appliances are, and if there are any ways that you can make your heating or cooling systems more efficient.
You should aim to replace any incandescent light bulbs in your home with more efficient CFL or Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs, as these will last longer and will utilize less power in the process.
Some modern shower systems spew out an incredibly wasteful amount of water, at approximately 80 gallons of water per minute. By using a water-saving shower head, you can reduce this to 1.75 gallons per minute instead, saving thousands of gallons a year!
Composting toilets are capable of turning human waste into natural fertilizer, and they are an excellent way to conserve water use. However, this is a pretty large step for many people. There is no shortage of other ideas to consider when it comes to going green in the bathroom. Consider using chlorine free, recycled toilet paper, organic cotton bath towels and other linens, and even a shower curtain that is free of PVC.
Your home carpet is a magnet for many things, like toxins, animal dander, fungi, dust, dirt and bugs. Not only is your carpet a reservoir of dirt and other nastiness, but it was probably also made from a petrochemical synthetic material like nylon for example. Instead, choose area rugs that are made from natural fibers, and choose rugs that are stitched rather than glued.
Rather than drowning your lawn in dangerous chemicals and pesticides, you can make your own weed and bug repellent using water and hot peppers. Take out the grass, which soaks up water like a sponge, and replace your lawn with rocks, wild flowers, gravel and other native plants; these are all elements that do not require fertilizer or lawn, which saves you on chemicals and on water.
There are plenty of other things that you can do to significantly reduce your carbon footprint, saving on money in your utility bills at the same time.
Bonus Tip: Another handy post-makeover tip is to hire a junk removal service. Companies like this will haul away all your leftover debris and rubble from any project, from basement finishing to new flooring in the kitchen.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-01-23 05:05:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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Understanding the Vapor Barrier The first thing to understand is that there is a difference between vapor barriers and what air barriers are. When properly defined, a vapor barrier alone is not capable of controlling the movement of air, but rather it is responsible for controlling the movement of moisture. Vapor barriers are not...... - Sensible and Cost Effective Green Building Green construction has to be neither cost prohibitive or complicated, according to experts at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference. According to these experts, building homes that are green and energy efficient does not have to be rocket science at all, but rather you can build a very efficient home at......
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Counting Down to Quality There are five common errors that builders make in the efficiency of energy, resources and health. There are far too many green builders out there that are completely missing the mark. There are five mistakes that are being perpetrated, but that you can avoid easily with the right know-how. #5:...... - Insulated Vinyl Siding's Green Performance Documented in New Study Recent studies that have been sponsored on the behalf of NYSERDA, insulated vinyl siding has demonstrated that it contributes to energy consumption savings as well as savings in CO2 emissions and energy costs, which means that insulated vinyl siding is capable of outperforming fiber cement when these environmental measures and......
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July 18th, 2010 — Eco-Friendly, Going Green Tips, Home
Tip 1 -
Turn the lights off any time that they are not needed, even if you are just moving from room to room in the course of your day. According to Energy Star, as much as 20 percent of a home's overall energy use comes from its lighting. Using compact fluorescent light bulbs requires as much as 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs, but the best way to save energy is to only use your lighting fixtures when you absolutely have to.
Tip 2 -
Wash your clothing in cold water, because washing machines use as much as 90 percent of their energy just heating the water, and higher temperatures mean greater costs to both you and the environment. You can even make your clothes last longer by washing them in cold water, so there is no real reason not to.
Tip 3 -
If you have a gas or electric clothes dryer, you can realize great savings simply by keeping the lint trap cleaned. Tests have shown that this can amount to a savings of $34 per year per dryer, which really adds up.
Tip 4 -
Keep the dryer shut off all together by opting for a clothes tree or clothes line instead. These only tend to cost a few dollars and can save you significant amounts of money when it comes to energy costs throughout the year.
Tip 5 -
Find out if your local utility companies are using green energy. Some local utilities are now using low impact, hydro-electric energy options through solar farms and windmills, so ask if using these power sources will allow for you to realize a savings on your monthly utility bills.
Tip 6 -
If your refrigerator is next to a dishwasher, a vent or a stove, your fridge will have to work harder to keep cool, so by isolating your fridge in another area away from these heat sources, you may be able to reap the benefits through a lower cost energy bill.
Tip 7 -
Forgo the standard, chemical cleaning products and opt instead for a combination between plain water and white vinegar, which is the ultimate cleaning product when it comes to green living. Many companies are now beginning to market environmentally friendly cleaning products as well, should you need something a little more powerful than what vinegar can provide.
Tip 8 -
Choose a better type of grass, like a hardy perennial. There are drought tolerant types of grass that require far less watering and no chemical care, allowing you to have a healthy and beautiful lawn without requiring a lot of water. Don't bother shooing away beneficial critters like insects, birds, toads and frogs as they can actually help your lawn maintain its best.
Tip 9 -
Buy biodegradable pottery for your garden, choosing bamboo, coconut, rice or wheat fibers instead of plastic pottery so that your pottery will biodegrade in the earth instead of ending up in a landfill.
Tip 10 -
Shop green and leave the plastic behind whenever possible. Draperies, shades and other window treatments are available in natural fibers. Furniture can be upholstered using silk, latex, wool and natural robber, or even foam that is made from soybeans. By purchasing natural materials like this, we are eliminating the need for petroleum based products in our home and saving the environment at the same time.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-01-26 05:26:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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Healthy Green Alternatives Push Asbestos Out of the Home Today's article is written by Joe Lederman, an Awareness Coordinator at the Mesothelioma Cancer Center. When purchasing or remodeling a home or building, there are many variables to consider. Homes which were built prior to 1980 have a strong likelihood of containing asbestos materials. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that...... - Green Building Materials Green Construction is the practice of building in a way that increases efficiency of the use of materials like energy, water and other materials and resources while reducing the impact on human health and the environment during the process of building through more efficient design, site selection, construction, operation, maintenance......
- Quick and Easy Steps to Green Remodeling For a lot of home remodelers, the idea of going green can be absolutely overwhelming. Luckily, there is a wealth of information out there, and just because you are not already implementing these ideas, that does not mean you're too far behind to make some leeway. According to leading remodelers......
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