Feature #50, May 10, 2010
Green living is the ‘buzz’ word of the current times. From eco-friendly shopping bags to water bottles that are made from less plastic. How about your home? Have you always thought that eco-friendly design is for the affluent and too expensive for your home? You’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that you and your family can use the following tips to save money out of your pocket, and help Mother Earth.
Robin Wilson, from BE blogs has some pocket-friendly suggestions on how to keep more money in your pocket when thinking of design options for your home.
Most families hear the word “green” or “eco-friendly” and immediately think that it means unaffordable. Or they think that the payoff is too far in the future to make the investment today…but there are a few reasons why you should consider eco-friendly design for your home.
Tax Credits: See your local or state government
Appliance Rebates: Visit www.energystar.gov
Higher Resale Value: contact your Realtor
Plus, the eco-innovations on the market today are actually beautiful, and not bland like the past. And most importantly, these design
Consider using eco-friendly cleaning products like Method
options are available at varied price points, so there is no excuse…all the examples we are going to list cost less than $1,000.
Aerator filters (approximately $1) can be placed in any faucet and are available at your local hardware store. They make water droplets feel larger so that when you are washing your hands, you will use less water, but feel that the wash is just as strong.
Cleaning products (approximately $6-20) such as those by Method are an eco-friendly option for homeowners and they are available at major retailers including Target and they don’t do not have toxic effects like some harsher chemicals.
No-to-low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and stains (approximately $55/gallon) are the way to go if you have a family and chemical sensitivities that can trigger asthma and allergies. There are many brands available, but I am a fan of the Benjamin Moore line. These paints self-prime and seal so that you often need only one coat, and they do not off-gas so that one hour after painting there is no paint smell.
Denim and newspaper insulation (approximately $200/room) is created from old blue jeans that are re-purposed into pallets of fibrous insulation and old newspapers that are shredded. Completely non-toxic, it is fire treated and can be installed with your bare hands, unlike some insulation that requires safety goggles, gloves, and respirators.
For more ideas to help you make informed eco-friendly design decisions visit Robin Wilson on BE Blogs.
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