5 Easy Ways To Go Green

While there are many simple ways to green your lifestyle we selected a five ideas for your to take a look at, let us know what your favorite ways to green are in the comments.

Save Bags

When the girl at the register asks “Paper or plastic” it should be to your delight that you can say “Neither!”

The number of plastic bags that we use when we buy groceries is amazing. Just think about it – me, buying for one person, I would accumulate 5 plastic bags for groceries every two weeks, which is 10 a month, which is 120 a year! Just for one person…and one person who doesn’t buy too many groceries, either!

There are a lot of pretty nasty things that happen because of plastic bags, too – that’s why it’s called “plastic pollution“. It’s not pretty. And transitioning from plastic bags to reusable bags for groceries and other sundries is easy. Stores make it easy, these days, to buy reusable bags – many only cost 99 cents.

And then you can be like me and hoard a bunch of reusable bags in your trunk and forget to grab them when you go grocery shopping…and have to use plastic bags anyway. But hey, we all have our senior moments. Nobody is perfect, so don’t hold yourself to an unattainable standard.

From personal experience, though, I can tell you that save for a few forgetful days, the transition from plastic to reusable is one of the easiest things that you can do – and I’ve never looked back.

Save Gas

Did you know that every gallon of gas that you burn produces 19 pounds of carbon dioxide? Yeah, neither did I!

There are a lot of ways to save gas – and that includes calming your driving habits! If you’re an aggressive driver or tend to have a lead foot, you could be burning even more than that. Don’t live a left-lane highway life.

But there are smaller ways that you can save gas as well – figure out ways to get all your errands done with just one stop, or if you can find a way to get things locally and walk or bike to wherever you need to go, that’s a great way to conserve gas as well – though it’s not something that is feasible for everyone, unfortunately.

Save Electricity

Do you have a vampire in your house? Probably…and not just if you have a teenage daughter rabidly a part of “Team Edward.” Unused electronics will still sap a lot of energy from the outlets when they are plugged in but not in use – think about all those gadgets that you have plugged in when you aren’t home – your computer, your TV, your shiny new tablet or e-reader…all those are an energy suck. Unless you need to charge these items, unplug them when you aren’t around!

It’s also quite amazing how much energy you save when you simply turn out the lights when leaving a room – lighting is responsible for over 10% of a typical home energy bill. You can also take bigger steps, like line drying your laundry (if, of course, you own the appliances) or using a toaster oven rather than a traditional oven for your smaller heating needs.

Shop Local

There is more to shopping local than it simply being convenient. Not only does shopping local support your own community and local farmers (which means that they won’t have to slowly sell off their land for development) it also means that you are contributing less to the energy that would be used to transport food from further away – you aren’t responsible for the refrigerated transport trucks or anything of that sort.

Plus, your food will probably taste better!

Water Savvy

Along the same lines of saving bags is not saving water – but being smart about how you buy and use water. The majority of water you drink is bottled and sold. Plastic bottles accumulate, and plastic bottle caps are just as dangerous to the environment as the water bottles themselves – perhaps more so, because they can present a choking hazard to many animals. And most of them are made from petroleum…and less than 20% get recycled.

So the next time you go out to run errands – take these simple steps into consideration, and you’re well on your way to reducing your carbon footprint.

Jackie Ryan is a freelance writer who works with a company that does their best to help take care of the environment by providing rubbermaid recycle bins and relevant advice to those who are looking for some tips on how to get started in their workplace or their home.

8 Simple and Inexpensive Ways to Make Your Home Just a Little Bit Greener

Going green is not just a trend. It is an important part of living responsibly on this planet. As people become greener, they reduce waste and help create a healthier environment. Best of all, they often save money. Here are eight simple and inexpensive ways to go green.

1. Install CFL Bulbs
Replacing old incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) will save homeowners money on their electric bill. Although CFLs cost more to purchase than incandescent ones do, they use approximately one quarter of the electricity that incandescent bulbs burn. With advancements in technology, CFLs convert the vast majority of electricity they use into light, not heat. They also last up to eight times longer than incandescent bulbs will. Despite the initial cost, these bulbs can each save homeowners as much as $80 over their lifespan. People who cannot afford to replace all their lights now may want to consider replacing bulbs as they burn out.

2. Unplug Everything
Many devices that use electricity continue to consume small amounts when they are off. Over time, these seemingly insignificant amounts of electricity add up to many kilowatt hours. The worst culprits are television sets, computers, printers and chargers, but even kitchen appliances can use electricity without people realizing. The easiest way to turn everything off is to plug all items into power strips, rather than outlets. When exiting or entering the room, people simply need to flip a switch.

3. Use Light Timers
If lights must be on when people are not home, the greenest way to control their use is through timers. There are both indoor and outdoor timers for lights and other devices. By setting specific times for lights to turn on and off, it appears as if someone is home, but not too much energy is being used.

4. Recycle Old Electronics
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans threw out 5.5 billion pounds of electronics back in 2005. These were computers, cell phones and televisions that had lead, other heavy metals and harsh chemicals in them. By recycling these devices, people can keep malignant substances out of the ground.

5. Become a Locavore
Locavores are people who seek out local foods. They might shop at farmers’ markets, or they may simply look for “local” stickers at the supermarket. Either way, by selecting local foods, people can enjoy the freshest produce, while reducing the carbon emissions that were burnt transporting it to their home.

6. Repair a Leak
Americans, on average, use around 100 gallons of water daily. This figure has more than doubled since 1950. Fixing a leak saves a tremendous amount of water. For instance, a leaky faucet drips about 70 gallons of water each day, and a leaky toilet wastes up to 200 gallons daily. Over 365 days, that adds up to 73,000 gallons wasted in a year. These leaks can usually be repaired with kits purchased at the hardware store and by watching do-it-yourself videos online.

7. Mow Less
Mowing the yard less frequently actually creates healthier grass. Most species thrive best when they are at least 2.5 inches tall. Mowing less will not only save gas or electricity, but the grass will also photosynthesize more. It will literally be greener.

8. Do Full Loads
Anytime a washing machine, dryer or dishwasher is run with only a partial load, resources are being used inefficiently. By filling up these appliances, people can save time, electricity and water. In addition to combining half-loads, people can save energy by selecting short cycles and warm or cool water, instead of hot.

Going green is simple, inexpensive and responsible. In a world where people disagree on almost everything, everyone can be behind going green. These eight simple steps will, over time, save people money and help save the planet.

Author Bio: Zach D. writes for Design55, a UK-based, online, modern furniture shop that carries such notable lines as kartell and Alessi.

Energy Efficiency During the Holidays: Save Money and Enjoy the Festivities!

The holidays are a time of lights, fun and festivities. They are also a time of high energy bills. If you’re the type of person that goes all out for the holiday season you may see that energy bill hit the ceiling as you continue to add more and more fun to your home. But with new advancements in lighting technology there are ways to cut down your energy bill without cutting down on the fun.

The main focal point of any holiday decoration tends to be the Christmas lights. Subsequently they are also the source of increased holiday energy bills. But there are ways that you can keep your energy bill manageable while still decking the halls with all the fun lights you want.

First, toss out all of your old lights and replace them light emitting diode (LED) strands. LED lights are readily available and come with the Energy Star logo meaning that they’ve met strict guidelines set by the EPA and Department of Energy. Anytime you can replace anything (appliances, normal lights, etc.) with an Energy Star substitute, do it. Not only will they reduce your energy bill but will also benefit the environment by cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to saving energy, LED lights also last up to ten times longer (thousands of hours) than the traditional incandescent bulb. This has to do with the filament. LED lights lack one and instead use electrons and a semiconductor contained in a much smaller bulb. The filament in a traditional incandescent bulb burns out much quicker and will need replacing much more often. The lack of a filament also causes the LED light to emit less heat meaning that it’s not hot to the touch and less of a fire hazard if, say, strung around a Christmas tree.

Finally, you can save money on your energy bill by equipping your holiday lights with a timer. Set the timer to turn the lights on and off at certain times of the day so they aren’t on constantly. The timer also saves you the hassle of plugging in and unplugging the strands day in and day out.

By replacing old incandescent bulbs with state of the art LED lights you can save lots of money on your holiday electric bill. Anytime you can make your home more energy efficient is a good thing. By doing simple things like adding a timer you can both make your home more energy proficient as well as a safer place for the holidays.

Written by Whitmire Custom Homes a Georgia custom home builder located in Gainesville, GA. We are proud to be a leading Atlanta luxury home builder and offer custom real estate in Atlanta.

How To Diagnose And Repair Washing Machine Problems

Tireless workers that they are, washing machines do develop issues. Unlike smaller, cheaper appliances that can be tossed and replaced, a new washing machine is a major expense. The problem must also be solved promptly if you are not to drown in dirty laundry and be left with nothing to wear. 
 
You can sometimes diagnose and repair washing machine problems without calling a technician or replacing the entire appliance. The problem might be something simple you can easily fix by yourself. 
 
Washing Machine Not Draining Or Filling
 
If your washer isn’t draining, the problem could be blocked drainage hoses. Clogging can result from clothes getting stuck in hoses or from twists and bends in the hoses themselves. If your washer is not draining properly, check the drainage hoses for obstructions. If your washer is not filling properly, examine the incoming water hose for twists and bends. 

For problems with either draining or filling, check the hoses for sediment build-up or for clogs in the hose screens. If the hose screens are clogged, remove the material that’s blocking them, but do not remove the screens themselves. If the hoses are okay, check for loose, broken or frayed belts. 
 
Filling and draining problems can result from a faulty lid switch. See if the lid switch clicks when closing the washer door. If not, the switch may be clogged with detergent and require cleaning. 
 
If the machine is neither filling nor draining, the motor may not be getting electrical current. Check to ensure that the wires to the motor and pump are connected and not damaged or frayed. 
 
Should water fill the machine slowly, or not at all, the water valve needs replacement. If the washer won’t stop filling, the water valve may be stuck in the open position, also needing replacement. When the machine fills even when it’s not plugged in, the valve definitely needs replacing. 
 
When the washer drains and fills at the same time, the drainage hose position is too low. This causes a problem called siphoning. This can be corrected by repositioning the drainage hose above the water level and making sure that the hose is not pushed too far into the standpipe. 
 
Washing Machine Won’t Spin or Agitate
 
If your washer moves about while spinning, it can become unbalanced and stop its spinning action. Outfit it with traction pads to keep it in place. If the machine still refuses to spin, make sure that the motor is receiving current. You can check this with a voltmeter. If these strategies don’t solve the problem, the spin solenoid may not be engaging, or the clutch may be worn out. 
 
When your washer refuses to agitate properly, check for clothing stuck in the drum. If the washer won’t agitate at all, drive coupling or transmission problems are probably to blame. 
 
These are some basic ways to troubleshoot washer problems before calling in a professional. With a bit of luck, you can sometimes repair washing machine problems that aren’t major all by yourself.

Disclaimer

Please note that these hints and tips are provided for your interest and ease of reference only. We cannot accept any responsibility for any advice or information contained in them. If you are in doubt about how to fix a problem with your appliance, you should always book a repair by a qualified repairer. 

Green Living Roofs

Are you considering roof options for a new project? Maybe you’re having an extension built for extra space or thinking of buying a summerhouse as a place to relax at the back of your yard.

Whatever your new project may be, considering a green living roof is a great option. Green living roofs really are a forward thinking choice. Not only are they environmentally friendly in every way they will also help you cut down on your energy consumption. We all want to cut down on our cost of living so why not go wild and give a living roof a go!

Green or living roofs have so many beneficial effects, check out a few of them below;

• Keep the heat in! – Living roofs reduce heat loss due to their excellent insulating properties.
• Increase the life span of the roof – Let’s face it, not much can go wrong with a living roof, they are easy and fun to maintain!
• Cheap alternative to other roofing options – Living roofs are cheap to install so you don’t have to break the bank.
• Provides natural habitat – Your living roof can become a home for a whole host of diverse little critters and animals.

Types of green living roof

The types of living roofs you can choose from are split into three categories;

• Intensive – This is the lightest of the three choices, and usually involves a small amount of top soil being laid in order to cover the roof area. Grass seed, shallow rooting flowers, and moss are the most common types of cover to go onto the roofs. These are not designed to be walked on. The main benefit of this type of roof is that it is light and therefore the structure does not have to be too large to support it.
• Semi-intensive – These roofs are designed to be able to support more weight, and can therefore support a heavier living garden. With a bit more depth on the top soil, you are able to plant bigger plants and some shrubs that have deeper roots. A wild garden design is very popular.
• Extensive – On an extensive living roof, the support under the roof needs to be extremely sturdy, and able to withstand a large amount of weight. On this, trees, paths, seats and anything you can think of can be planted in order to create a full garden roof.

What type of green roof you decide on will depend on the type of building, your surface space and depth of planting.

Creating your own living roof can be a really fun and creative project to get involved in! You can keep them completely low maintenance so they are virtually no hassle or you can create an extensive and well maintained wildlife garden up there.

This guest post was written by freelance writer and designer Abigail, she is a keen environmentalist and is currently learning about children franchises.

Home Automation is a Guilty, Green Pleasure

We all have our guilty pleasures. For me, it’s Jessica Alba movies and women’s gymnastics, and no matter how embarrassing these pleasures (Ms. Alba is admittedly not the greatest actress), they serve their purpose. Being green is often a similar deal. People usually have ulterior motives on buying green, and love the social clout that goes along with making green buying decisions.

Home automation is one of these purchases. You don’t go spending thousands of dollars on a home automation system that makes your life easier because it saves you 20% off your energy bill each month. It’s not the driving factor behind an automation system, but when your neighbors ask about it, you’re going to tell them that it saves tons of energy and it’s a lot of fun to control everything your house form your phone.

So let’s put all the ulterior motives on the table:

Lighting Control

You’ll tell the neighbors that you program all your lights to come on to 80% luminosity on a tap of the light switch because it saves you 20% of your lighting bill as you use less electricity and are kinder to mother earth. You actually got lighting control because you’re tired of the kids leaving the lights on around the house and you want the ability to hit one “goodnight” button and have every house in the entire house shut off without making the nightly rounds.

You also got it because you can put occupancy sensors in each room that turn the lights on when you enter the room, and shut them off when you leave, and it results in you never needing light switches again. Not to mention, you programmed them to only come on to 20% luminosity when you head to the kitchen for a midnight snack or the bathroom for a potty break so the bright lights don’t shock you into having trouble falling back asleep.

HVAC Control
You tell the neighbors that you got HVAC control because it saves energy every month by turning the various zones in your home to low power consumption mode when they aren’t in use. What actually swayed you was the ability to touch a button on your way home from the office so your home is the perfect temperature the second you walk through the door.

You didn’t tell your spouse this, but you were also excited about the fact you could quickly and easily change the temperature to your most comfortable setting from your iPad, and no one is the wiser.

How about your teenagers hanging out with their significant others in the theater room – wouldn’t you just love to make the room too warm to snuggle? Automation features are fantastic for pulling pranks!

Energy Monitoring
Last of all, you tell your neighbors that you have energy monitoring so you can continually optimize your energy usage as to be as environmentally conscious as possible. You actually got it because it’s awesome to see how much energy the appliances in the house use, and you want to shut them down remotely to save money. You love how you can teach the kids to check their consumption habits to train them to waste less of your money.

No matter your motivations, home automation is excellent for everyone to enjoy, and is a very convenient way to be greener and save money while you’re at it.

I’d love to hear your ulterior motives and green aspirations in the comments!

This article was written by AJ Wilcox who is the marketing manager for Big Fish Automation, a company that deals with home security in Utah, along with home automation and theaters. He loves using fun technology to be green and save energy, and also enjoys running and exotic sports cars.

5 Green Ways to Have Fun

Put down the Wii and PS3 controllers, step away from the computer and switch off the big screen TV. It’s time to get away from the technology and have fun in a green way. Not only will you save the world, but you’ll be saving money too. What could be better than that?

#1 Play outside
Okay, of course, you could go outside and plug something in. Stop it. Just leave all the electronics inside. You don’t need them like life support. What you do need to do is run around a little. It’s good for your health, it’s good for your stress levels and it’s good for the environment. See, while you are outside, you don’t have all the electronics plugged in and on. Well, you shouldn’t have them all on. Don’t forget to turn these things off. When you are outside you don’t need the air conditioning on and you don’t need the heat on as high. So don’t forget to turn that temperature down or up when you head outdoors. By turning electronics off, and temperature down or up, you will save money on your electricity bill.

#2 Read great books
Have you ever said, “Gosh, I really wish I had some more time to read.” Well, many people don’t have that time to read because they are so tied to their electronics that it just soaks up all of their time. Set up a schedule and only use your electronics during specific times. That way, you can fit in time to read great books. That means your electronics are off and you are living a greener life.

#3 Use candles and dim the lights
Did you know that bright lights can actually rise your stress levels? Well, take your stress level down a rung by dimming the lights and using candles. Dimming the lights will use less electricity, which is a great way to be greener. Why is this fun? Because when you are less stressed, you are happier and you have a better time doing things. Take out a hobby that you enjoy such as drawing or crafting with the lights dimmed for extra enjoyment.

#4 Garden
The more you plant the greener you are, so get out there and start spreading seed. Plants are wonderful resources for wildlife and gardening gives you a hobby that doesn’t give you inside soaking up non-green resources. If you don’t think you’ll like it, try to do different types of gardening, there are so many types that you are bound to find something that you might enjoy.

#5 Sleep
People are sleep deprived. Be green and get more sleep. You can turn down the thermostat because you should sleep in a cooler condition. If it’s the summer, get a fan to face towards you. Since you’re asleep you don’t need light or electronics so you’re saving money and charging your batteries so you can get outdoors and be even greener by getting physically active.

This guest post was written by Marcelina Hardy, a freelance writer who usually writes on Canadian banking and Canadian personal loans, but loves the earth.

The Greenest Lifestyles from Around the World

These days it’s cool to be green so you can be sure that celebs will be seen ‘doing their bit’ whenever they can. The thing is, we all know what celebrities are like. Take away the glitz and glamour of celebrity and, in many cases, there’s not much left of any substance. The closest many of these stars ever get to ‘being green’ is the color of their skin after a hard nights partying.

Take Sir Paul McCartney for instance who allegedly had a hybrid car flown to him via a fuel guzzling private jet or Barbra Streisand who apparently demands 100 towels for every concert. They’re all the same right? Well surprisingly, no! A growing number of Hollywood’s elite are in fact setting a real example when it comes to all things green that many of us should indeed be following.

So who are leading lights in the world of eco-celebrity? Read on to find out more about the greenest celebrity lifestyles around the world.

9th Ward – Brad Pitt & Make it Right Organisation

After Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans in 2005, movie legend Brad Pitt and his ‘Make it Right’ organisation, teamed up with other organisations to help local residents and businesses to rebuild the city’s Lower 9th Ward Community. The organisation is committed to assisting pre-Katrina residents, who want to return to their old neighborhood, by building 150 affordable, green storm resistant homes using state of the art technologies and materials that provide long-term product life cycles. So far the Make it Right foundation has completed 50 homes, enabling almost 200 people to return home.

Daryl Hannah – Converted Stagecoach

When she’s not working, actress and environmentalist Daryl Hannah spends her time at her converted stagecoach solar panelled home in the Canadian Rockies. Her eco-friendly home is powered using solar energy and was built using green materials. Next door is a barn made from reclaimed wood where her and her guests sit on a sofa carved from a stone and with moss, which the movie star regularly waters to keep it alive. As if that’s not enough, Daryl also drives a biodiesel car and publishes a weekly video blog called DHLoveLife all about sustainable living.

Ellen Page on eating locally

Ellen Page, co-star of Inception, has spoken about the importance of eating locally. Speaking to magazine, Mother Earth “I find a lot of people say, ‘Oh organic and local’s expensive and I just don’t have time.’ And I’m like, well how much TV do you watch? Where are your priorities right now? I always take the time to eat well and eat locally because it’s common sense.”

Johnny Depp’s 35 Acre Island

After allegedly falling in love with the Bahamas whilst filming Pirates of the Caribbean II, Johnny Depp secured his own little corner of the Commonwealth Islands by purchasing the island of Little Hall’s Pond Cay, a 35-acre island in Exuma Land and Sea Park a protected national park featuring natural coral reefs. The private island is just one mile long and only 400 meters wide and features a self-sustainable cottage, which runs only on solar-hydrogen power. The property was built by eco-construction guru Mike Strizki who built the first US solar-hydrogen powered house.

George W Bush – Crawford Ranch

So green it’s classed as ‘off the grid’, George W Bush’s Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford Texas only needs itself to run. It has a geothermal heating and cooling system that uses just 25% of the energy that conventional homes use. The eco-ranch also features a water purifying system which uses ‘grey water’ whereby water normally classified as waste is recycled and purified before being reused the home.

Jessica Alba Furniture

It happens to many of us on becoming a parent, a switch flicks on in our brain and we suddenly start to care more about the environment. That’s exactly what happened to Hollywood stunner Jessica Alba and her husband Cash Warren. After welcoming their daughter ‘Honor’ into the world, they furnished their house recycled material furniture, painted with eco-friendly paint and even ‘grassed’ the back garden using a material made from recycled tyres! Interior Designer Kari Whitman said of Jessica “She’s probably the greenest client of all my clients. She really, really cares about the earth.”

Leonardo Di Caprio Toyota Prius

Back in 2002, when most of us had still not heard of hybrid cars, Leonardo DiCaprio was already showing us the way by driving a Toyota Prius. He stated that the car was just like any other except he only had to fill it up once every three weeks. This just goes to show how easy it is for celebrities to lead by example, encouraging others to make a similar effort. Of course Toyota were also delighted that a massive Hollywood star had given their car some free publicity.

Ed Begley Jr House

American actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr, probably best known for his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich, on the television series St. Elsewhere, was reportedly influenced by friends, Jackson Browne and Larry Hagman, when designing his eco-friendly house. So far the actor’s green residence includes a solar powered outdoor oven, a picket fence made from recycled milk bottles and water butts that collect and recycle rainwater. Begley is also the author of Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life and Ed Begley Jr.’s Guide to Sustainable Living: Learning to Conserve Resources and Manage an Eco-Conscious Life as well as presenting his own reality show about green living called Living With Ed alongside his wife, Rachelle Carson-Begley.

Julia Roberts Eco Renovations

Despite living in a 6,000 square foot home with her husband and three children, Actress Julia Roberts still does her bit to help save the planet. She has recently spent an estimated $20 million on eco-renovations to her clifftop home including wood from sustainably managed forests, recycled tiling, and solar panels. Having three roofs covered in solar panels and living in Malibu certainly helps to harnesses the natural energy of the sun.

This is a guest post on behalf of Netcars.com a used car search engine that can help you to find green cars including the Toyota Prius.

How Education is Encouraging Environmental Progress

The environment is an issue that is rapidly becoming incorporated into the classroom. From preschool teachers to university professors, many educational professionals are trying to teach their students the importance of respecting and caring for the environmental world around them.

Kids are starting to be educated early on the importance of sustainability. Alternative and therapeutic boarding schools are integrating holistic educational values into their core curriculums. Classes teach children how important the environment is, and that there are many ways they can help reduce pollution and incorporate energy saving tactics into their everyday lives.

Many schools also teach kids the benefits of recycling by running various recycling schemes. These can result in funds being raised for the schools and prizes rewarded to the classes that recycle the most. In addition, many schools encourage parents to carpool as another way to effectively reduce gas emissions.

The environment and its sustainability aren’t lost on higher education either. Many colleges are taking the reins when it comes to making the changes needed to reduce their environmental impact. At the forefront of the green revolution in high education are online state university degree programs, which significantly reduce carbon emissions when compared to traditional collegiate education programs.

One of the many benefits to completing an online degree program is that they are extremely environmentally-friendly. Online education cuts out the commuting time as well as the pollution caused by going to an in-person school. Online programs also save a lot of paper as notes can be made online as opposed to on paper and many of the textbooks are purchased and downloaded electronically, rather than forcing trees to be felled for their existence.

Traditional in-person colleges are becoming more environmentally aware to compete with the benefits of online providers. Many traditional colleges host Earth Day events with the aim of educating fellow students and the general public on ways in which they can get on board the environmental cause. Furthermore, many colleges encourage the use of public transport to commute to and from college and offer discount public transportation ticket schemes.

Climate change, global warming and other environmental issues are problems that simply aren’t going away but can be dramatically reduced. The fact that so many educational organizations are encouraging environmental improvement is encouraging and shows that positive changes are being made.

5 Tips for Building a Green Home

The modern generation is in the new fashion of building eco friendly homes. For this, it is important that they make themselves aware about the benefits of constructing green homes. These homes are not only attractive outwardly but they also have several benefits associated with them. The green color of the eco friendly homes leave a calm effect on the eyes and these houses also help you save money by reducing the usage of electricity and water. They also enable you to enjoy fresh air and light. You may either build one such home or renovate your present home to make it eco friendly. As such, you may take out a mortgage loan to finance your dream home home.

While constructing your dream house, you should try to make it eco friendly. If you find you do not have enough money to do so, you may take the help of a mortgage loan. Go through this article to know about the 5 essential tips to build eco friendly homes.

Make the doors and windows eco friendly – While constructing your house, you should try to make the doors and windows eco friendly. You should also try to make them LEED certified. The eco friendly doors and windows are made up of recycled materials which include aluminum, cardboards, wood, metal and plastic. By having them, you will be able to make your home eco friendly. Other than this, they come with various modifications which consist of high shiny finish and solar heat gain to improve the heat of the house.

More plants and trees – This can be said as the easiest way to make your home eco friendly. You just need to plant more and more trees which adds green constituent of eco friendliness in your own home. The trees allow fresh and cool air to enter your house and thus give a cooling environment even during the summer season. However, if you do not have sufficient space to plant trees in your home, you can always have indoor plants so as to make it a pleasing one.

Use eco friendly paints and materials – When you are planning to build a new home, you can use eco friendly materials and paints. If you already have your own house, you can use the eco friendly materials for reconstruction purpose in future. You may use VOC paints in order to paint your house. These paints are found in vibrant colors but they do not have polymeric compounds. The proper designing of the bedrooms in order to make it a cool one is what the eco friendly construction process is all about.

Practice the habit to save electricity – You should practice the habit of saving electricity. Make it a point to change all power appliances of ‘5 star rated’ in order to save electricity. Also change the normal lights by LED lights. Set up a solar power to power your appliances or a windmill in case you have good amount of space. Use solar power so as to control your water recycling. This will not only enable you to have eco friendly approach to your home but also help you save good amount of money for electricity.

Install water recycling unit – Wastage of water is forbidden in case of an eco friendly house. You may install water recycling units so as to reprocess the spent water for non filtered use. Make use of this water to clean your car, do gardening or use it for your air cooler. By recycling the water, you actually save the precious water and use it in some other work. It is advisable that you do not purchase mineral water since most of the manufacturers use plastic bottles.

Do you have any favorite green living tips?