“Going green” has become a major concern with people across the globe in the past several years. Green construction has been encouraged to help save our planet, and although many think taking major steps (like installing solar panels) is the only way to help, there are relatively easy ways to “go green” in your own home. Here are five tips to help you embrace green construction and make your home more environmentally friendly.
1.) RECYCLE- It may seem silly to say, but there are still so many people out there who don’t do this manageable green task. Cutting down on the waste we produce, and helping to regenerate power and products through recycling is one of the easiest green things we can do- and it goes a very long way.
2.) Temperature watch- Nearly half of the energy home’s consume are due to cooling and heating. Do simple green things like closing the blinds when sun is shining in, using ceiling fans or a fire place, and keep your thermostat at reasonable temperatures. Look for green construction that includes energy efficiency.
3.) Cut back on water use- Minor green changes can prove to save you a ton of money, as well as help the environment. Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth or washing dishes, give yourself a limited amount of time in the shower, or even take tips from green construction and install energy saving shower heads and low-flow toilets (that use only 1.6 gallons per flush compared to the usual 3.5)
4.) Energy-efficient light- Keep energy green by using compact fluorescent light bulbs rather than standard incandescent bulbs can help you use 66% less energy on average. All green construction projects include these bulbs which last about ten times longer than regular light bulbs, but these produce a brighter light, and can save you three times the amount of the bulb in energy costs over its life.
5.) Clean green- Many household cleaning products can be toxic to both you and the environment. Read labels for products that are green and don’t include harsh components like cellosolve, petroleum and triclosan. There are many green companies making alternatives to these chemicals, or you could even make your own from simple soap, baking soda and lemon juice.
Making minor green changes such as these can add up quickly to benefit the environment and support green construction. We are all responsible for taking steps to conserve energy that will help save our planet.
Comments