GOING GREEN AT HOME

Because Every Day Is Earth Day

By Tracy Ellison

Living eco-friendly doesn’t have to be complicated. Some of the easiest and most efficient ecological solutions are right under your nose, or above your head – take the sun, for instance. This limitless ball of brilliant energy is a renewable resource just waiting to be tapped for its abundance. And Mother Earth never disappoints by providing us with many natural offerings that don’t need to sap the unsustainable. Here are a few favorite ways to get the most from what is plentiful while still giving back to the environment.

Harnessing the Sun's Power

Capture the potency of sunrays inside solar panels to generate star power – it’s the cleaner, greener way to go. Today, new innovations in panel designs offer more aesthetic options like solar shingles that mimic traditional ones. The sun’s strength is significant, especially in warmer sunny locations that get the lion’s share of bright light. So, use the surplus to harness solar power and keep your entire home running on clean energy instead of relying on fossil fuels. Get off the grid and use the sun to run your main electrical panel, water heater, lights, indoor heating and battery-charging units.

Even the pool gets fired up over the sun. A simple solar blanket will warm pool water, and a solar water circulation system raises temps, too, making the toe-dip pool test a thing of the past. And if keeping it cool rules inside your home, opt for high-performance solar window shades that work in your favor as well – a smart solution to control heat, protect from UV rays and save money. With all these hot house tips, feel free to bask in the light of the sun.

Saving Water Makes Sense

Consider some of these simple measures for conserving water every day. Turn off the faucet until you’re ready to rinse while washing your face and hands or brushing teeth – it’s money, quite literally, down the drain. Use double-basin kitchen sinks as intended. Fill one side with soapy water, the other with clean water – wash, rinse, repeat, conserve. Use ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and run only full dishwasher and washer loads. Go low-flow while showering with water-saving showerheads and reduce the time spent getting wet. Replace older toilets with modern money-saving ones that use far less water. Finally, capture rainwater and use it in the garden – an easy answer to drought that’s heaven sent.

Breaking New Ground

Go full speed ahead and floor it without consequence when you use renewable resources such as cork, bamboo and linoleum underfoot. These materials make for excellent flooring options and don’t wreak havoc on the environment. Cork doesn’t require cutting down the cork oak tree. The bark has anti-microbial properties and acts as an insect repellant. Bamboo, like hardwood, is super durable and easy to install. Both renew in just three to five years.

Making a comeback in new patterns and colors is linoleum. It’s a natural, durable material made from linseed oil, cork dust, tree resins, wood flour, pigments and ground limestone. Another eco-friendly surface that dazzles is glass – easy to maintain and non-staining. And let’s not leave out polished concrete, recycled rubber and reclaimed wood. All are great flooring choices that lay the groundwork for responsible homeownership.

Charging It Up at Home Street

smarts drive this idea home: Plug your energy-efficient electric vehicle into your personal charging station to save the atmosphere from exhaust emissions. It’s a convenient way to be sure you have enough power for your commute if public charging stations aren’t nearby. Keep greenhouse gases down even more by using renewable resources to recharge your charging station – now that’s revving up environmental responsibility to a whole new level.

Today, living green is easier than ever. Consider sustainable resources whenever possible and use energy efficiently and wisely. Try to adopt one or more of these forward-thinking influences – the effects are meaningful and contribute to the common good.