From reducing energy consumption to recycling waste, everyone seems interested in doing their part to help the environment. Green living conserves natural resources and reduces pollution, but it also has the practical benefit of saving money on your utility bills.
Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. is a living testament to the power of going green. You probably know him best from his many roles in television and film, but he’s been an outspoken proponent of sustainable living for almost 40 years. He has written a book about his experience called Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life.
The first consideration when building a greenhouse is to minimize the environmental impact on your site. The green development at Dell His Sur, just north of San Diego, does just that. For his focus on eco-friendly building practices and his commitment to protecting 60% of his development as open space, Del Sur has earned California’s highest environmental award.
Permeable paving of driveways, roads and parking lots is another way to limit environmental damage. Permeable pavements look and feel like concrete or asphalt, but allow rainwater to filter and percolate into the ground. This reduces runoff that can contaminate waterways and lower groundwater levels, reducing the need for costly storm drains and reservoirs.
Reuse and Recycle
Del Sur’s Ranch House is both a welcome center and an example of sustainable development. Due to the environmental impact of transporting building materials over long distances, much of Del Sur’s building materials were sourced locally. The walls of the ranch house are made of stone found on the property, and the wooden floors and ceiling beams are from the demolished structure.
Nonprofits like Reuse People are given buildings slated for demolition in exchange for tax credits. They then take it apart and resell the materials to fund their efforts. can.
Companies like California’s TerraMai specialize in turning high-quality timber from demolished structures into siding, flooring, and wood for woodworking. Many of them are made from old, slow-growing trees, so the wood is stronger and more stable than the wood produced today.
Some developers, like Marty Bhatia of OM Development, LLC in Chicago, are turning old, inefficient homes and apartments into energy efficient and environmentally friendly structures rather than tearing them down. Purchasers will also be provided with a manual explaining the building’s green features.
Environmentally friendly building materials can be made from anything, including agricultural waste.
Environ Biocomposites manufactures a composite material made from recycled sunflower hulls known as Dakota Burl®. This composite does not emit harmful gases and can be used in many interior applications.
Kirei Board is an eco-friendly product manufactured in China from sorghum stalks after harvest. The lightweight panels have an interesting grain pattern and can be used for anything from cabinetry to flooring.
A family of four uses an average of 400 gallons of water per day, about 150,000 gallons per year.
The toilet uses the most water in the home. Older models require up to three times more water than newer high-efficiency toilets such as Kohler’s Persuade™ and San Raphael™. Replacing your existing toilet can reduce your home’s water use by as much as 10,000 gallons per year.
The shower is another big water guzzler. Save up to 20% when you replace your standard showerhead with a low-flow model like the Kohler MasterShower® Ecofficient™.
Adding a low-flow aerator to your kitchen or bathroom faucet can also help.
Another way to reduce water usage is to channel runoff from the roof into storage tanks that are used to water the lawn.
Some systems, such as Rainwater Management Solutions’ Deluxe Potable System, can even filter water for home use.
Even if you don’t have the budget to replace bathroom fixtures or install a rainwater collection system, you can reduce your water usage by simply fixing leaks, limiting shower times, and washing lots of clothes and dishes. can be reduced.
Read and watch Go Green, Part 2
For more information, visit the Going Green web page.
More tips for this episode
A simple solution by Joe Truini:
A simple test for air leaks is to slowly run a butane lighter over the edge of a door or window. If the flame bends or flickers, repair or replace the weatherstripping until it stabilizes. Keep flames away from curtains and other combustible materials.
Emily Barta’s best new product:
n:vision compact fluorescent lamp
n:vision’s CFL bulbs are Energy Star rated and use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs while providing the same amount of light. They last about 10 times longer, saving you $40-50 over the life of each bulb. Choose a warm or soft white color temperature rating for a more natural looking light. Find out more at Home Depot.
Installing the programmable thermostat
I heard that installing a digital thermostat will reduce utility bills. TRUE? -Vicky of Spanish Fort
Installing a programmable digital thermostat allows the central system to reduce heating and cooling when the house is empty. This can save you up to 15% on your utility bills annually, but the actual amount depends on how you set it up and how long your home is vacant each day. If you have a heat pump, use one of the new hybrid thermostats designed to work with these systems.