Saturday, August 20, 2011

Green Living: It All Begins at Home

Green Living by Ashley Wicklander, Dominique Enriquez, and Todd Michael

Our project is centered around the overarching theme of making your home more eco-friendly and energy/cost efficient. We have chosen three main areas of focus which are: Simple tips for going green at home, new and retrofit construction ideas, and incorporating permaculture and urban homesteading into your home.  The simple tips for going green at home section is comprised of relatively easy steps that almost anyone can take to improve the ‘green factor” of their home or apartment at little or no cost.  The section with new and retrofit construction ideas demonstrates a variety of ways green designs can be implemented in home construction projects.  Lastly, the section on urban homesteading introduces ways to reduce your home’s environmental impact by incorporating self-sufficient practices at home. The three sections are offered together as a community resource for various suggestions, concepts, and web sites to use in an effort to make our small part of this large planet just a little more green.


SIMPLE TIPS FOR GOING GREEN AT HOME
Make your house a "green" house!

  • You can save 4.5 gallons of water by turning off the water while brushing your teeth. That's a potential savings of over 3,000 gallons per year. Small changes can make a big difference.

  • Installing low flow shower heads and faucet aerators is another simple and inexpensive way to conserve resources without making any major adjustments to your home. Over time the savings in water will translate to major savings in your wallet.

How much money are YOU flushing?
  • Similarly, a low flow toilet can cut water usage and save as much 25 gallons per day. Most low flow toilets use only 1.6 gallons of water which is significantly less than the old standard of 3.5.  Talk about flushing money down the toilet. This contrast is especially impressive when you add up the days and realize you could save 9,125 gallons of water per year.

  • Turn your water heater down to the "Warm" setting (120°F) and, where possible, be sure that water heater is insulated, to minimize heat loss. An insulated jacket for the water heater can cost around $20, and pipe insulation is literally pennies per foot.   

  • “On demand” water heaters heat the water only when it is needed and pump it directly to the fixture in use. This avoids excessive and prolonged heating of unused water during hours of little or no usage.

  • “Energy Star” appliances are a great route to go when replacing washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves, and many other household appliances. These will save you money in the long run because they need significantly less energy to operate than most comparable standard appliances.

  • If you have a programmable thermostat, be sure you are utilizing the timer settings. You can set the thermostat to 78° or higher during the summer and 62° or lower in the winter while you are away each day. You can even set it to return to your preferred temperature just before you return.  

  • In the winter, consider wearing layers, slippers, hats, and gloves instead of keeping the entire house warm just to enjoy the comfort of shorts and a t-shirt (it will be that much more satisfying when you can enjoy them in the summer). This step may seem obvious, but make sure everyone in the house clearly understands that this can help to avoid unnecessary heating costs.

  • Energy efficient space heaters can be a good alternative for heating only the rooms you are using in larger homes. It takes much less energy to heat one room with an electric heater than an entire house with a gas furnace.

  • Additionally, consider closing vents and doors of rooms that are not in use, or will not be in use for extended amounts of time when the heat is turned on. This will serve to concentrate the warm air into the places where it is most needed, and minimize unnecessary heating of unused  spaces.

You can have it made in the shade...
  • Water leaks in a home are often easy to spot, but have you ever considered air leaks in your home?  Not always large enough to cause a noticeable draft, air leaks can cause major loss in heating and cooling efficiency and thus waste energy and money. Check for air leaks around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and pluming penetrations. Weather striping and caulk are simple and inexpensive ways to stop these leaks and improve efficiency and comfort.

  • Planting shade trees, especially on the west side of your house, will save money by blocking the harsh heat rays in the summer while allowing them through in the winter (if branches are bare).

  • Be sure to regularly (monthly during times of heavy usage) change the air filter on your furnace. If you didn't know there was an air filter on your furnace, then it's safe to say you are past due for replacing it. Look for the large metal intake vent on a wall in your home (there will not be any air blowing out of it when the thermostat is running) and unscrew the grid. This is usually, but not always, where you will find the filter. Replacements are rather inexpensive and can be purchased at most hardware stores. A dirty filter means less air moving through the system and more energy being wasted. A clean filter also means cleaner air and an overall healthier environment.

  • Here's a bright idea, using compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) saves money in the long run, costing as little as 1/3rd the amount standard incandescent bulbs due to a longer life and lower energy use/higher output ratio. The initial cost to purchase is higher, but will be negated by the energy savings. Additionally, while LED lights are even more expensive to purchase initially, they will save you money in the long run and leave a much smaller carbon footprint.

    Don't let those critters bug you!
  • If you have the luxury of outdoor space, in which you can garden, make sure your thumb is as "green" as can be! Focus on native plants, especially as water a scarce resource. Opt for perennials over annuals, this will not only save you the time, effort, and money, but it will also save the resources it takes to produce, deliver, and market new plants each season.

  • If you must "control" weeds and bugs (remember they were here first), use non-toxic natural resources. Tips and methods can be found at the following site http://web4.audubon.org/bird/at_home/IPM_Alternatives.html which is sponsored by the Audubon association.

  • When painting, be sure to use low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints (look for the green seal). They are safer for the environment and healthier for your home.

  • When cleaning, be sure to use non-toxic organic compounds, either from green companies or of your own making. There are several online resources to teach you how to use everyday natural supplies to fight through even the toughest of dirt and grime, without leaving a toxic footprint behind.

  • Just say "No" to junk mail. Did you know you had a choice? Well you do! You can contact the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service at P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512 or simply go to https://www.dmachoice.org to select what type of "junk" mail you want and, more importantly, what type you do not. It's worth what little time and effort if you really think about how many trees and resources are wasted each year just so you can take the majority of your mail from your box to your garbage (or hopefully to a recycling bin).
Resources:

  • http://greenanswers.com/ If you only have time to check out one of these sites, make it this one. This is a fantastic resource for asking and answering questions relating to green living. Join the site and they will plant a tree in your name!






NEW AND RETROFIT CONSTRUCTION IDEAS


  • The design of a new home can take natural elements into consideration, such as wind and sun directions.  If the longest side of the home is placed in direction with wind patterns, and series of windows are installed along that side, natural ventilation can be created.

  • Geothermal Heating and Cooling can be used in the home to regulate temperature.  Basically, by diving pipes approx. six feet in the ground, filling them with water in a closed loop, the geothermal unit will absorb heat form the ground in the winter and cool in the summer in order to heat your home.  This idea could be added to an existing home, but would be much less inexpensive and inconvenient for the homeowners if it was done at time of construction.

  • Photovoltaic (Solar) systems is one way of reducing the amount of electrical energy purchased form Gas and Electric companies.  It allows the homeowner to produce their own power and become less dependent on public works.  While some local and state governments offer bonuses or tax credits for incorporating solar energy sources in their homes, it is still quite expensive.

  • Homes can be plumbed to incorporate the recycling of  ‘grey’ water.  This water comes from your sinks, bathtubs, dishwashers and clothes washers and can be used to irrigate your landscape.  This water cannot be stored, but can be ran directly into the soil around your home providing that adequate drainage has been put in place.

  • Sun tubes can be included in original home design or added later. The benefit of sun tubes is that natural light can be added to rooms, diminishing the reliance on electricity for light sources.  While the use of power cannot be completely avoided, the usage will drastically decrease when natural light can be used.

  • Window technology has changed drastically, with a focus in energy efficiency.  It has been common for double paned windows to be used to prevent loss of heat through windows, now colorless coatings have been added to windows to keep solar heat from entering.  The cost of replacing older windows is most frequently offset by the elimination of energy loss.

  • Radiant barriers can be placed on top of insulation in attics and in the form of gaskets around electrical sockets to prevent heat from entering living quarters.

  • Recycled materials can be incorporated in either new or retrofit home construction.  Materials can either be made into to something entirely new, such as denim or cellulose insulation products. They can also be reused in their original form, either reclaimed or salvaged from a demolition product.

  • Naturally plentiful products are always a good way to ensure sustainability.  Bamboo for example is a plentiful resource, so using it as a flooring option is more beneficial than wood products.  
Resources:
  • http://www.usgbc.org/  Learn about being green and collaborate with others on how to change green policy to benefit our homes, schools and businesses.


  • http://www.ases.org/  Anything you could want to know about solar is all here, brought to you by the American Solar Energy Association.


  • http://www.ecorate.com/ Rate green technologies and products for their environmental impact, toxicity, life cycle, and price.  




URBAN HOMESTEADING


What is urban homesteading, you ask?
Urban homesteading includes sustainable living practices within the home to reduce environmental impact.  These practices include self-sufficiency techniques that produce resources used by the home’s residents.  Some examples of urban homesteading include:

  • Raising animals such as chickens, worms, or bees
  • Incorporating edible landscaping within the home by growing herbs, fruit, and vegetables.
  • Preserving food by canning at home or freezing or drying food.
  • Composting
  • Reducing the use of resources by harvesting rainwater, line drying clothes, and using alternative transportation (i.e. riding a bike or taking the bus)
Urban homesteading feels like a big step but can be easily incorporated into your home by introducing just one or two simple practices listed below and building from there.  For a more in depth commitment, you can also design and plan your future or existing home with urban homesteading in mind (see resources listed below).

What are some ways I can introduce urban homesteading to my own home?


REDUCING RESOURCES. Simple options such as drying your laundry on a clothes line is a great way to get started. Another great way to reduce the use of resources in your home is by harvesting rainwater.  Creating a collection system can be very simple by designating a collection area and setting up a transportation system and some barrels.  See an example for how to make your own here
RASING ANIMALS such as chickens, goats, worms, or bees can add to the sustainability of your home by harvesting their eggs, milk, or honey for food and using manure for composting.  Check out these sights to learn more:
Raising chickens:To learn more, click here
Raising worms: To learn more, click here
Raising bees: To learn more, click here

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING is a practice that encourages organic edible gardening in your own home.  As opposed to setting aside a small specific area to yield fruits and vegetables, edible landscaping promotes gardening of plants that can be harvested as the focal point/dominant area of one’s garden.  To learn more, visit: howstuffworks
PRESERVING FOOD. You can reduce impact by learning to preserve your own food at home.  You can begin by using simple techniques such as freezing, but you can also learn how to can your own food.  To learn more, visit here: http://www.freshpreserving.com/getting-started.aspx




COMPOSTING:
Composting at home encourages the utilizing waste that would otherwise be thrown away!  Learn how to compost here


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

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