Green Home Remodeling Tips

Green home remodeling requires a lot of forethought and care, but if you take the time to find out which contractors, new products and procedures make it possible to rebuild green, then the hard work is done. There are so many factors to green remodeling to think about, including the sustainability of the products and materials that you use, how you deal with the waste, the disruption of the environment, and that the new building is energy efficient. In remodeling, it is important to give each of these issues as much time and consideration as the last because of the impact each has on the other.

If you can purchase and hire locally, this would be the most ideal and beneficial, not only for the environment but for the local economy as well. Materials that are sustainable and can help to conserve energy in the future, but are also local, do not have to be hauled across the country which will ultimately produce in a lot of energy waste. Understandably, this is not always possible, so purchasing from a local vendor that supports green companies would be the next best thing.

No matter what part of your home you are rebuilding, there are green ways to redo it. In kitchens, shop for sustainable and natural countertops, flooring and windows. Bedrooms and other living spaces can be redone with green paint, sustainable flooring and lighting. Bathrooms can be made as the model of green remodeling in your home, with a variety of options for everything from faucets, to water controlled shower heads, sinks and toilets, and then there is the flooring and paint like every other room. In the end, it is important to not only consider the products that you are putting in, but how well everything is going to work together to ensure that you will benefit from the work done for years to come.

How to Choose Green Home Appliances

Most people do not realize that the small home appliances that they purchase are energy hogs, especially when compared to the newer large home appliances, such as refrigerators, televisions and dishwashers. With the new energy star ratings that have been put in place for larger home appliances, it is infinitely easier for consumers to determine how green an appliance is. When it comes to smaller appliances though, it become difficult for the average consumer to understand how much energy will be used and if there is a better option out there. There are several things that you can look for though in order to choose the best products for your home.

The first indicator of how much energy a product consumes is the wattage it requires in order to function, which every appliance should have somewhere on the package or on the appliance itself. Wattage will tell you how much energy is necessary to power the appliance and a quick check at which appliances consume more than they should is to quickly scan several of the same appliance on the shelf. When you have the same product, that are the same size and do the same job, but one requires 240 watts, while another requires 120 watts, then there is an obvious distinction.

Once you have brought home your green appliances, or if you already own all the appliances that you can afford, but don’t know how green they are compared to newer products, there are things you can do to keep energy consumption down. Instead of keeping your appliances plugged in when you are not using them, remove them from a power source and keep the cords put away. Even when not in use, when your appliances are plugged in they continue to consume energy. Above all, make sure that you ask questions about the appliances that you are looking at because there is generally someone on staff who is knowledgeable on which products are more energy efficient than others.

Car Care, the Green Way

With the new green cars coming to the market, more and more consumers are trying to determine ways to keep the cars that they already have as green as possible without having to buy new. If you are already in the market for a new car, and can afford it, purchasing one of the new green cars is a great option. Otherwise, smart car care and maintenance can be green and most of the time it only takes a few more minutes or dollars. No matter if you have a gas or diesel powered vehicle, you can get started cleaning up your car now and keeping it green for as long as it runs.

The first and smartest thing you can do to keep your car green is to ensure that you regularly maintain your vehicle, including regular oil changes and flushing the various systems, because a well maintained car will run better using less gas which is in the end better for the environment. Not only is it necessary to change your oil regularly , but you must change the filter as well to make sure that it is keeping the oil that you do have as clean as possible. Staying on top of the condition of your tires is also of great importance because the way they perform directly results in the amount of gas that you consume as well.

While the maintenance under the hood gets most of the attention, you should not forget about the other products that you purchase to care for your car. There are several companies that manufacture green and clean care care products, including washes, polishes, and other interior care products. If you turn to keeping your car clean in one way, it does no good to neglect the other areas so make sure that you embrace it entirely and wholeheartedly.

Going Green in the Garden

Going green in the garden can be a lot easier than it sounds, regardless of how green your thumb is or if you are going to be starting your garden from scratch or using nurseries.  Obviously, the easiest and surest way to make sure that your garden is entirely green is to begin growing your garden and doing all the maintenance yourself, from scratch. This is not always possible though, and luckily there are several nurseries, manufacturers and stores that are developing and supporting green practices that they pass on to consumers. Here are several things to look for when shopping for plants and products for your garden and when beginning the garden yourself.

To start, seek out plant nursery that practices green principles to grow its own plants, and in the products it sells. Beginning plants by seed in your own home is the best option, because then you can regulate everything that goes into your soil, otherwise check the labels and purchase only seedlings that have been grown organically.  Use biodegradable planters to start seeds, or purchase starter plants that come in containers that will break down easily as well. Once you have planted your garden, do so in a way that will allow it to take full advantage of the sun, water conservation and the natural setting. Gardening in this way is not only green, but it will ensure that your garden will prosper with the least amount of work or money on your part.

Continuing to care for your garden is the hardest obstacle when you want to keep everything green because most products for insects and weeds involve a lot of chemicals.  Instead of using pesticides and herbicides, practice organic methods such as green cleansers and weedkillers that can be made from basic household products that are natural.  Also, co-planting and using cover crops, and using plants that deter bugs helps stop problems right in their tracks.

Natural Latex Mattresses – Green Innovations at Home

A latex foam mattress can be eco friendly. Natural latex foam is made with rubber tree sap and is 100% organic – so if you want a “green” mattress, this is the one to choose. In addition to being a green choice, natural latex foam mattresses have other positives to consider.

When you are looking for a comfortable, yet firm and supportive mattres, latex foam is known for bouyancy and elasticity. You can easily have comfort and support in this type of mattress – whether you have a bad back or other health concerns that make sleeping difficult or uncomfortable. Better yet, latex foam mattresses are naturally hyp0-allergenic, anti-bacterial and unattractive to dust mites. If you have allergies, this is a mattress for you.

As an industry standard requirement, most mattresses still have to have fire retardent added to them. So while natural latex foam may be green, the chemicals in fire retardant are still toxic and could be a health concern. It is always wise to ask if fire retardant has been added to your latex foam mattress or latex foam toppers.

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