Visiting Windy City? Check into Chicago’s Many Green Hotels

About fifteen years ago, Richard Daley – then the mayor of Chicago and the city’s undisputed Democratic boss – announced a commitment to revitalize Chicago and make it into one of the greenest places in America, if not the world. Thanks to his efforts, as well as that of other communities and leaders, Chicago is now one of today’s most environment-friendly cities. It has over 300 miles of bikeways, close to 7 million square feet of green roofs, two world-class conservatories, a guaranteed green restaurant co-op, and a climate action plan where every Chicago homeowner, business, and community member can participate in making the city a greener place to be.

The city has also done well in offering visitors a chance to experience the benefits of an environment-friendly lifestyle. The Chicago Green Hotels Initiative, in particular, reflects the city’s commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of one of its biggest and most important industries. Indeed, Chicago has taken the lead: it now has more Green Seal certified hotels than any other US city. (The closest are Portland and Washington, with two each.)

What is Green Seal? It is an independent non-profit that uses science-based standards to power the marketplace and provide environmental certification to businesses, products, and services that consistently apply environmentally responsible and sustainable practices.

So if you’re ever flying into Chicago, or driving from its nearby neighborhoods, you might want to check into a green hotel. The city’s got plenty of them.

Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza

350 West Mart Center Drive

312.836.5000

Last year, this Chicago hotel was awarded LEED Gold Certification by the US Green Building Council, making it the first LEED-certified hotel in the city and the largest in North America. And for good reason, too: the Chicago Mart has taken extensive ecological measures to create a high-performance and energy-efficient green building, all while providing luxury accommodations to business travellers, vacationers, leisure guests, and attendees to exciting social events.

Hotel Allegro

171 W. Randolph St.

312.236.0123

The charming Hotel Allegro features 483 guestrooms and suites, as well as a luxurious mix of amenities and services. What makes it stand out even more is that it has been renovated for a greener future. Hotel Allegro is noted for its pet-friendliness; environment-friendly products; extensive recycling program; organic, shade-grown, or fair trade coffee served in its lobby; energy-efficient air-conditioning and lighting system; and, for its hotel materials, soy-based ink printing on 100 percent recycled paper. For its efforts, Hotel Allegro has been given the Silver Certification by Green Seal – along with the next four hotels.

Hotel Burnham

1 W. Washington St.

312.782.1111

Hotel Burnham is not only a dazzling Chicago boutique hotel; it is also an architectural landmark and one of the world’s best places to stay. It combines old-world elegance with a contemporary – and green – sensibility. The eco-friendly efforts of this Green Seal Silver Certified hotel include: environment-friendly bath amenities, in-room recycling bins, eco-certified cleaning supplies, recycled paper printing, paperless check-in and check-out service, energy-efficient lighting, organic snacks and beverages, linen and towel reuse program, and eco-friendly dry-cleaning for its guests and employees. Oh, and there’s this Hybrid Happiness Package, a program that provides discounts to guests who arrive in a hybrid vehicle.

Hotel Monaco

225 N. Wabash Ave.

312.960.8500

A four-star boutique hotel, the Hotel Monaco is one of the most environmentally responsible hotels in Chicago. It is Green Seal Silver Certified, thanks to its efforts in waste minimization, reuse, and recycling; energy efficiency, conservation, and management; fresh water resources management; and environmentally and socially sensitive purchasing policy, which covers everything from papers to toilet tissue.

Intercontinental Chicago

525 N. Michigan Ave.

312.321.8766

Chances are, you’re familiar with the Intercontinental brand, for it has hotels in various locations around the world. But this one in Chicago is special: it is Green Seal Silver Certified. The Intercontinental Chicago has a committee that oversees all its earth-conscious practices, which include: a guestroom energy management system; the use of CFLs in guestrooms, back-of-house areas, corridors, and other locations; the use of water-saving toilets; a towel and linen reuse program; a lighting, heating, and cooling control system; an extensive waste management program; the use of low- or no-VOC paints; and the purchase of renewable energy credits to offset 50 percent of the hotel’s electricity consumption.

The Talbott Hotel

20 E. Delaware Pl.

312.944.4970

Guests of this charming boutique Chicago hotel can enjoy their stay even more knowing that they will have minimal impact on the environment. That’s because the Talbott Hotel continues to adhere to the guidelines of its Green Seal Silver Certification. This means that it continues to implement green, eco-savvy measures like: an extensive recycling program, energy-efficient lighting, water-conserving fixtures, lighting and heating control systems, “eco-mode” guest rooms, the purchase of carbon offsets, and an investment in wind energy. All these are part of an approach that the hotel calls “Sustainability without Compromise”.

As hotels in Chicago continue to respond to the demand for green operations, more and more properties are being rewarded by Green Seal. The Essex Inn, Four Seasons Chicago, the Hilton Chicago, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Tower, Fairmont Chicago, The Silversmith Hotel and Suites, the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, and the Westin on Michigan Avenue are all Green Seal Bronze Certified hotels. More are in the process of earning similar certifications. Guests, residents, and businesses alike have all benefited enormously from these green efforts, thereby making it safe to say that there is no greener city to visit and stay in than Chicago.

Green Your Garage

As a homeowner you’ve probably wondered more than once what might be done about the garage. And you’re more than likely to have wondered with a groan, or an expletive. Typically the garage is one of the messiest parts of the house: a dark, oil-stained, dusty repository for all kinds of random non-necessities that can include unwanted Christmas gifts, decade-old freezers, unused cans of paint, dead batteries, old car equipment, your kids’ broken toys, out-of-tune musical instruments, household cleaners, some lumber, and the noisy washing machine.

Oh – and it’s also where you put your car in after work.

If you really want to live a greener lifestyle at home, you have to accept the fact that something – anything – must be done about the garage. Or the “car hole” as the Simpsons put it. Here are some great ideas.

Clean, clean, clean

There’s nothing that a garage needs more than a good cleaning. So free yourself up one weekend in order to do just that. Even if it takes you ten weekends, cleaning the garage can minimize the health and safety risks caused by some toxic stuff that you have hidden there in some dark corner. Of course, it also enhances the visual appeal of your garage and lends it a cleaner, fresher feel.

Recycle

Once you’ve gotten all the junk out of your garage, drop them off at the local recycling center. If you’re not quite sure where exactly that is, check out Earth 911 and consult the listings on the site. By putting these unused materials back in circulation, you’re actually helping diminish the need for mining and harvesting and manufacturing – because then if someone needs anything they can reuse these materials to produce new ones.

Let go of the garage fridge

Why? Because more than one energy guzzler is one too many. If you already have a refrigerator in the kitchen, there’s no need for another one in your “car hole”. It’s a luxury you can certainly live without. Besides, a garage fridge is prone to use more electricity than the one in your kitchen, because the compressor works harder having to adjust to the temperature changes in your garage. So settle for that one you have in the kitchen and save yourself as much as 250 dollars a year.

Green your floor

Garage flooring can be pretty tricky, especially since you have to watch out for water and oil and a bunch of other liquids, possibly toxic (like paints and cleaners), messing up the floor. You can opt for materials that dry up quickly, like non-toxic concrete with no drains. This removes the need for hand-washing or having to hose down chemicals down a small drain. If you want additional light in your garage, you can cover your garage floor with bright, reflective (and of course VOC-free or low-VOC) paint.

Energy-efficient lights

Making the switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is a great way to green your garage. If you want to minimize even further the use of electrical lighting, then you might want to consider installing energy-efficient skylights for natural illumination.

Go for insulation

Insulating the doors of your garage goes a long way in helping you save energy (and money). It also keeps those nasty bugs and insects from coming in and eating whatever junk they find in your garage. Of course, insulated garage doors also allow for a green benefit that not all car owners are aware of: they cut down on drafts and ease the strain on your car battery. To ensure proper insulation, it’s best to consult green remodeling consultants like Greenwerks.

Green Tips for Making Your Small Bedroom Appear Bigger

The bedroom is a place for rest and relaxation, for coziness and (hopefully) cuddling. It is one of the most sacred rooms in your Chicago home. There are cases, however, when you may find it too small or cramped for comfort. It may resemble more like a side street where you have to maneuver your way through bulky furniture, twist and turn in such narrow space, and battle against the forces of darkness and toxicity.

Don’t worry. Your bedroom is not a hopeless case. Below you’ll find plenty of ways to make your small bedroom appear bigger and more spacious.

Go for bright lights

Just because the bedroom is small doesn’t mean you can’t place multiple lamps in the room. Don’t settle for just one source of light. You can install lamps close to your bed – at the bedside, or mounted on the walls, even directly above in the ceiling – to create the impression of bigger, wider space. Avoid stand-alone lamps that get in the way of the objects in your bedroom; go instead for eco-friendly fluorescent lights that illuminate your bedroom softly and elegantly.

Keep the colors light

Dark hues in a room make the walls seem like they’re closing in on you. So opt for softer, lighter shades – like cream, pale blue, yellow, beige, pink, and light green – to give your bedroom a more welcoming, more inviting feel. You’d be surprised at how these colors can create the effect of pushing the walls back. Also, try to avoid painting with heavy-contrast patterns or prints. And always choose eco-friendly paint! Those that are labeled as VOC-free, low-VOC, or non-toxic will do well in helping minimize your impact on the environment.

Don’t wait for spring to do some cleaning

A clean, clutter-free bedroom can make all the difference in the world. Seriously. If you leave so much mess lying around, you’re making your room so much smaller than it actually is. So arrange your stuff and keep them clean and orderly. Remove the non-necessities. Transfer those unnecessary pieces of furniture and place them elsewhere. If you truly want to live a greener lifestyle at home, the best way to start is by cleaning up.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

It sure sounds a bit old-fashioned, but placing a wide mirror on one of your bedroom walls is one of best ways to make small space seem bigger. Not only does it create the illusion of doubling the size of your bedroom; it also reflects the natural light that enters your room through the window and keeps your space from appearing closed and dark.

Multi-functional and built-in are the ways to go

One of the keys to making your bedroom bigger is maximizing its floor space. No, this doesn’t require costly home extensions and construction. All you have to do is look for multi-functional furniture pieces that serve more than just one purpose. Examples: a chest at the end of the bed that serves as storage and sitting area; a built-in closet that doubles as a storage unit; a small bookshelf that can also become your bedside table; and a bed from under which you can pull out built-in drawers or even a footrest. If unsure where to get them, a trip to IKEA, the local furniture shop, or even a garage sale can give you loads of options. Just make sure you invest smart and choose eco-friendly pieces for your bedroom.

Simplify your décor

It would be better to install one simple large painting in your bedroom instead of going for multiple small pictures. It’s also a smart move to resist heavy curtains that drape and cast large shadows on your bedroom. You cannot have too much going on; too many features can spoil the space and make it appear too busy. Besides, the bed is already your focal point; anything else should simply serve to complement it. So simplify your décor and limit your accessories – there’s no need to be too grand.

Lighten up the fabrics

The effect the fabrics in your bedroom have on your level of comfort is surprisingly huge. To make the atmosphere more relaxed, opt for airy and light beddings, slipcovers, window treatments, and rugs. If you want to go green, there are plenty of eco-friendly choices available: organic cotton, chemical-free silk, bamboo fabric, vintage polyester, soy fabrics, and cashmere. The best part? These environment-friendly materials are great choices for clothes, too.

Stay low

Staying low is a great space-maximizing trick for any room, especially that which doesn’t have high ceilings. You’ll be surprised at the effect low furniture pieces and low, Oriental-style beds can have on your small bedroom. They free visual space and keep the view at eye level unobstructed. If you have to include a tall furniture piece inside the bedroom, place it opposite the main entry.

The Green Benefits of Skylights

Skylights – those windows on the roof that add a touch of luxury to your home – can do more than just enhance the visual appeal of a property. Sure, they can display for you the full glory of the summer sky, the stars and the moon, the multi-colored sunset, but don’t be mistaken: skylights are important energy savers, too.

That’s because windows – of which, really, skylights are only one of many kinds – play an important role in determining the efficiency performance of our homes. They affect our heating and cooling bills, the insulation levels inside the house, and the quality of the indoor air that we breathe. They have an impact on our lighting systems and designs. These days, skylights are also being incorporated with new technologies to provide even more green benefits and further reduce homeowners’ energy consumption.

Here are only some of the ways skylights can improve the efficiency performance of your home:

• Skylights provide natural warmth and brightness to your house and reduce your use of electricity and artificial lights. It’s been said that these types of windows can provide up to five times more light into your home than traditional windows of the same dimension.

• Skylights with solar heat control glazing – those that are designed to provide passive heating from the sun – can cut down on your need for heating and cooling systems.

• Skylights add a unique aesthetic appeal to your home interiors and create a feeling of openness and space without compromising your privacy.

• Skylights improve ventilation and promote fresher, healthier air indoors.

Before you proceed with skylight installation in your home, however, it’s recommended that you first consult green, innovative contractors like Greenwerks and let the professionals help you find out which designs, selections, and positions fit your home best. That’s because skylights can also pose a number of risks – such as the potential to cause drafts, leaks, and uncontrolled indoor temperatures.

When choosing your skylight, look out for models that have been labeled by the federal Energy Star program. In maximizing your energy efficiency, it’s also important to make considerations about the design of your home as well as the climate in your area. Of course, proper professional installation is not just an option – it’s a necessity.

There are three basic kinds of skylights:

• A ventilating skylight – usually installed in kitchens and bathrooms – can be opened by a hand crank, and can provide better ventilation by letting heat out and delivering passive cooling to a room.

• A fixed skylight, meanwhile, does not open, but provides plenty of natural light and reduces the amount of electricity required for illumination.

• Last but not least is the tubular skylight, usually 10 to 14 inches in diameter, designed to help reduce heat loss while also controlling heat gain.

As far as design goes, there are skylights with plastic glazing and single panes, but these don’t perform as well as skylights with heat absorption tints, insulating glazing (two-paned skylights), and low-e coatings – all of which serve to minimize your dependence on electrical heating and cooling systems. Size also matters: never should your skylight be more than 5 percent of the floor area in rooms with many other windows, or more than 15 percent of the floor area of rooms with little or no windows.

Apart from design, size, and materials, the position of the skylight should also be taken into consideration. Here’s what you should know: if you’re installing a skylight on a roof that faces north, you’ll get constant illumination and fairly cool temperatures. On roofs facing east, meanwhile, you’ll get maximum light and solar heat – especially in mornings. Face west, and you’ll get plenty of sunlight and heat in the afternoons. Finally, if you install a skylight on a roof that faces south, you’re allowing yourself the optimum passive solar heat gain, perfect for winter conditions.

Remember to choose carefully the location of your skylight installation, so that you’ll be able to maximize its green benefits and energy efficiency capabilities.

Willis Tower: 5-Year Green Renovation

Often when we hear “local” we think of small or neighborhood-scale efforts, but there are some large-scale changes going on in downtown Chicago that are pretty incredible. Announced last spring, the Willis [Sears] Tower commenced a 5-year green renovation plan (“Willis” Tower should actually be noted because it is the Willis Group Holdings, Ltd that commenced the green renovation).

Credit to WillisTower.com

Solar panels, wind turbines, and rooftop gardens will be added in addition to updates for every elevator and escalator, reducing their current energy usage by 40%.  Each window will be replaced with thermal prevention windows for better insulation and a new lighting system will sense natural lighting and change artificial lights accordingly.

This $350 million renovation will reduced the structure’s energy consumption by 80% and water usage by 40%, i.e. 24 million gallons of water and 150,000 barrels of oil annually. These changes are estimated to create 3,600 jobs.

It would be nice if there was an update page for the progress but until then we’ll just continue to look at pretty pictures.

Credit to Pondstone Communications Blog