Though it is very important to be energy efficient in all aspects of our lives, it may be easily overlooked to be energy efficient in the different places in our homes. Though some may not be aware of it, there are more ways to be energy efficient than turning off the lights when you leave a room. Invest in products that come already energy efficient, and will operate with energy efficiency while they're in use!
According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, office equipment is the fastest growing use of energy in the United States for commercial buildings and is among the fastest growing in homes. This cost is $4.85 billion each year for businesses and homeowners. This use of energy causes emissions that contribute to that contribute to global warming, urban smog, and acid rain. Try to save energy both for your own personal costs, and also to help reduce the pollution that the use of office equipment causes.
The products used to cover the walls of your home with colorful textures and patterns can be made from non-sustainable materials. These ingredients can include many chemicals that will be harmful to you and your family. Here are some interesting eco-friendly wallcovering options that you might consider in your home. These products will not only make your residence look great, but your purchase will contribute to a green way of life and a healthier home.
Countertops have been included in the shift towards eco-friendly living and now there are some fantastic materials being used in kitchens that have little impact on the planet. There are many green countertop solutions that will withstand the heavy abuse of water and food preparation of daily household use. Using recycled content and non-toxic chemicals, manufacturers have created eco-friendly countertops that not only perform well, but they rival traditional materials in appearance too!
Non-organic furniture can be harmful to your health. When certain glues decompose over time, it releases off-gases such as formaldehyde. The EPA has reported that indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. On an average, we spend about 90% of our time in homes and offices.³ If our homes - which should be the safest place in our lives - produce more harmful pollutions than the outside, then it's time to reevaluate our surroundings. So, when shopping for new furniture, make sure they were built with water-based glues and stained and finished with green wood and sealants.
Try looking up "laundry detergent ingredients" on Google and you'll get a number of different things. Words like surfactant and diethyl ester dimethyl ammonium chloride aren't exactly words you think of or even consider when you are doing your laundry. It would be interesting to see what percentage of Americans even consider what ingredients are being used in the laundry detergents they are soaking their clothing and bed sheets in.
The next time you're in the market for some new towels, why not consider all of your options first. While cotton is still an excellent, not to mention probably the most common choice, bamboo and hemp towels are also great alternatives if you're looking to stay on the greener side of things. Of course, with all three, choosing organic is best.
Carrying around plastic grocery bags might eventually be compared to wearing a scarlet letter on your chest. Sure, this may be an extreme analogy but if you've ever forgotten your reusable bags while in a crowded line at Trader Joe's, you might know what accusatory look that I'm referring to. Although progressive stores like Whole Foods and TJ's aren't really big on distributing plastic bags (TJ's does offer a plastic bag that is actually compostable), the rest of the nation's grocery stores are, which is why it's your job to bring your own bag.
If you're looking to revamp your kitchen to a more environmentally friendly space, be sure to keep an eye out for energy efficient appliances. With the amount of usable freshwater going on a decline, it's important to conserve as much water as possible. If anything, it should at least keep your water and energy bill from sky rocketing in the future. A considerable amount of time is spent in the kitchen on a daily basis, and if you're looking to make your kitchen more environmentally friendly, here are some tips you might want to consider.
If you are buying raw lumber, wood flooring or simply a piece of furniture, you might stumble across these three important letters: FSC. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit international organization working towards the improvement of forestry practices worldwide. The FSC certification process rewards businesses for practicing environmentally friendly methods. Next time you buy wood or a product made of wood, make sure that the wood is FSC approved.
Cleaning products are a necessity in every household. But perhaps, after a long day of cleaning, you've noticed you have shortness in breath, nausea, dizziness or irritated skin. This is the result of dangerous chemicals that are prominently found in household cleaning products are toxic to your health.
Light is important. Whether from sunlight or the light produced inside your home, humans need it to survive. A room can be transformed just by a flick of the switch. It seems logical, then, that one would turn to the most energy efficient and long-lasting light sources.
Appliances help make daily tasks easier for any homeowner, but there is no convenience when it is time to pay your utility bills. Fortunately, in the last decade these necessary machines have been tailored to run in a more energy efficient way. These "Energy Star" appliances have been shown to save 30% on energy costs. In turn, roughly the same percentage of greenhouse emissions are prevented as well.