The Best Eco-Friendly Apartment Living Ideas

Here are some eco-friendly apartment ideas to make your space chic and green:

Add Plants to Your Interior Spaces

Plants and flowers are the easiest eco-friendly decor items anyone can incorporate into one’s apartment living. Choose flowers and plants that are eco-friendly and easy to maintain. According to the developers of Atlantic Private Residences, there is no better way to liven up a room than going green with colorful flower arrangements and potted plants.

Indoor plants serve double duty as inspirational decor and air filters. For a cool decor statement, hang a wall small herb garden in an artistic container, place some colorful flowers on a central table to make a statement or consider different creative flower arrangements and place them in a corner, just below open windows and even in your bathroom or bedside cabinet.

Natural Color Coverings and Textiles

Opt for natural, washable fibers when buying eco-friendly coverings and textiles for your apartment decor. Materials like sisal, wool, and jute are earth-friendly and add a natural feel to any space. Opting for eco-friendly apartment living means skipping synthetic materials in sofas, beddings and area rugs.

Natural textiles and coverings add a unique decor element and texture to your apartment living space. Going all-natural with your home decor fabrics and textiles doesn’t have to be expensive. While you can always order decor items online, you can also visit thrift shops to find some Victorian textile pieces and vintage area rugs for your spaces.

Consider these Ecofriendly Apartment Living Decorative Options

While wood is widely used in apartment and home building flooring and even decor, there are alternative decorative options you can consider such as metal, stone, glass, and bamboo. They require a lot less work when it comes to care and maintenance due to their harder and more durable surfaces. You can experiment with different color options for your alternative materials to add warmth and visual intrigue to your rooms.

Bamboo veneer panels can be a great substitute for traditional wallpapers or a painted accent wall. Glass, metal and stone decor options can be incorporated in kitchen counters and other surfaces, walls, floors, and cabinets. These alternative decorative options add an unintrusive modern character to your apartment spaces and provide the perfect eco-friendly accent.

Bring in Better Air Quality in your Apartment

While today’s windows are highly energy efficient and seal your home really well, ventilation is often overlooked. indoor air quality is very important, especially in apartment buildings where the luxury of enjoying outdoor spaces like in a traditional home is not available.

Make it a habit of opening your windows and doors frequently to let the fresh air circulate indoors. Even in the winter, just a few minutes of fresh air from the outside could do you some good. To ensure better ventilation, opt for apartment rentals that come with floor to ceiling windows and also make use of curtains and other window treatments to control room temperature.

Embrace Vintage or Retro Furniture

New furniture may contain a number of chemicals that have years of off-gassing into your spaces ahead of them. If you’re considering going all eco-friendly for your apartment living, consider vintage or recycled furniture that is often free of any toxic chemicals or retro furniture that has already off-gassed toxic chemicals years back.  

Retro home styling ideas are a big thing now. You can easily get mid-century modern, vintage or art deco pieces at flea markets or from antique dealers.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, visit our archives.

Need an Eco-Friendly Roof? Choose Between Green, White and Solar

Green Roof

Green roofs, also known as living roofs, are roofs that are partially or entirely covered with vegetation. They offer shade and rid the air of heat through evapotranspiration. They lower the roof surface temperature and that of the surrounding air. During hot days, the surface temperature of green roofs is cooler than the air temperature. On such days, the surface temperature of traditional rooftops can be 90⁰F warmer than the air temperature.

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Green roofs offer a host of benefits. They provide insulation, absorb rainwater, create an environment for wildlife, and provide an aesthetically pleasing landscape that reduces stress. They also decrease city air temperatures and alleviate the heat island effect. The heat island effect is a city or urban area that is considerably warmer than its adjacent rural areas because of human activities. Green roofs make use of the natural functions of plants to treat air and filter water in urban areas. They lower both heating and cooling costs.

The great thing about green roofs is that they can be installed on different types of buildings – from private homes to industrial facilities. Some are made up of simple vegetation while others are comprised of fully equipped parks.

White Roof

If there is one thing black roofs are good at, it is trapping heat. They heat houses in warm weather and waste lots of energy in the process. A lot of rooftops in the US are made with tar and absorb plenty of heat during the warm seasons. Coating these roofs with a solar-reflective paint helps decrease temperatures both indoors and out. White roofs, also referred to as reflective roofs, have been around for a long time. They are ideal for eco-conscious homeowners as they are better than black roofs which only reflect 20% of sunlight. Their solar-reflective white coats enable them to reflect up to 90% of sunlight.

Image via: Vang Viet

White roofs rely on the age-old principle that white items soak up less heat than dark ones. They lower air conditioning costs by about 20% in hot weather. Reduced energy consumption means fewer carbon dioxide emissions. A white roof costs approximately 15% more than a dark one – depending on the materials you use – but slashes your electricity bills. Some local utilities and state energy offices offer financing for white roofs and homeowners can get tax credits if the roofing materials they use adhere to the EPA’s Energy Star program. The only downside of white roofs is that they are not ideal for cold climates as they can increase heating requirements during the cold seasons.

Solar Roof

What could be better than using free electricity from the sun? The dream of every homeowner is to lower their energy bills, and a solar roof helps you do just that. The sun exudes about 1,000 energy watts for each square meter of the earth’s surface. If all this energy was collected, homes and offices could be powered for free. Solar roofs are usually fitted with solar panels or shingles which convert the sun’s energy into electricity. The panels and shingles are made up of special materials called semiconductors which absorb light and emit electrons which are put into an electric current.

Image via: I Green Spot

Solar roofs are the most popular eco-friendly roofs – and with good reason. They can be installed on any building as long as there is enough space and sun. A solar roof can decrease your energy consumption and lower your high power bills. Solar panels are very durable and last for more than 25 years. They are light in weight and require little maintenance. A solar roof augments the value of your home, reduces your carbon footprint, and saves you money for years to come. The US federal government and a number of states give tax credits to sustainable energy systems. You might also get incentives from your utility company.

When white, green, and solar roofs are pitted against each other, solar roofs take the top spot. Green roofs take the second spot and white roofs come in third. While all three roof types are becoming increasingly popular, it is important to choose the right eco-friendly roof for your location. Both green and white roofs perform an excellent job at cooling buildings, but solar roofs are more effective at defying climate change.

For more green living tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Saving electricity is essential for all of us, and reducing home energy costs is on all of our minds. Not only it helps to control finances, it’s also favorable for the environment. However, many find it hard to figure out how to cut costs on something that is most needed.  So, to help you lower your heating bills and reduce some carbon footprints, we share with you these tips and tricks.

How to Reduce your Home Energy Costs this Winter

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Air seal your home

Air leaks allow warm air to escape your house quickly, resulting in higher heating bills. Make sure to put weather stripping around doors and windows. Sealing gaps, especially in older homes can make your house feel warmer and easily save 10-15 percent on your electricity bills.

Image via: Houzz

Turn down the thermostat

Turn the heat down during the night and when no one is home. Think about it; why keep the heating to 70 degrees when you are either out for work or sleeping? Simply adjust the thermostat manually or make a onetime investment of few bucks on a programmable thermostat.

Dress warmly

Wearing shorts and sleeveless tops in the heart of the winter months does not make much sense. It’s only wise to dress up warmly even when you are just sitting inside the house. Put on a sweatshirt or a jacket; wear thick socks and fuzzy slippers. Additionally, place a comfortable, soft blanket on the couch to cuddle up while reading, chatting or watching television. It really does not cost anything to layer up warmer clothes when at home and by doing so you can keep the heating temperature few degrees lower and defiantly save big.

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Allow direct sunlight into your home

During the day, open all the blinds and curtains on the sunny side of the house and keep everything closed on the other sides. This will maximize the benefits of the direct sunlight and minimize the heat lost to windows on the west.

True these little old-fashioned tips and tricks this winter. They will not take more than a few minutes and maybe a few bucks to implement. But, they will surely help you save big! See if these tips help you to reduce your home energy costs this winter.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Are you tired of the soaring electricity bills during summer? Are you looking for a way to save your air conditioning bill? If you answered yes to the above questions, here are some tips that will help you save energy and have a lower your air conditioning bill.

1. Cool down your surroundings

Before you get into the house, make sure your exterior is cool. One of the effective methods of cooling down the yard is through planting trees and large shrubs. These will naturally reduce the air temperatures, provide shade and reduce water evaporation.

Image via: Shelly Harrison

Some of the trees that you can consider include Hybrid Poplar and the Weeping Willow. If you’re looking for fast growing trees, then go for Bald Cypress, Box Elder or the Chinese Tallow Tree among others.

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2. Adjust your thermostat

A programmable thermostat is ideal for a centralized ac system. This kind of thermostat makes it possible for you to set your in-house temperature during specific hours of the day.

You can therefore decide to set it off when there is no one in the house. This can also be done at night since the outside temperatures are generally cooler. If used correctly, the programmable thermostat can help you save a whopping $150 on your energy bill!

Image via: Nest

3. Use blinds and curtains

Studies by the California Energy Commission show that the window lets in 40% of the excess heat in your house.

This is a huge percentage to ignore.

Therefore, simply arranging blinds so that they reflect light outside the window will help reduce these solar energy effects. Additionally, you can opt to shut the curtains that face the south or west during the day.

Image via: Matthew Millman

4. Keep your AC air filter clean

Something as simple as ensuring that your AC filter is clean will help you save lots of energy; whether you use an individual air conditioner or a centralized air conditioning system.

If your filter is dirty and clogged, its efficiency will be lowered and in turn it will use double the energy. Therefore, make sure you check your filter regularly and keep it clean.

Looking through the above points, there is no need for you to spend a lot on your energy bill this summer. These are simple tweaks that may help you to make huge savings. Therefore, go ahead, implement them and use your energy savings for a worthy cause.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Home energy efficient investments are a wise way to reduce your energy bills and cut back your environmental impact. Although it is always worth considering clean, self-dependent energy generation, such as installing solar panels, there are many more affordable ways to make your home more green. You don’t have to spend a lot to start saving money. For example, you could start seeing your utility bills fall if you simply…

Image via: Paul Crosby

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Plant shade trees around your home

This mainly applies to older homes that have relatively poor quality windows and insulation. By planning some good landscaping, you could save energy, as shade trees can really help to keep your home cool in the summer months and warmer through the winter.

Shade trees and shrubs, particularly deciduous trees will not only brighten up the exterior of your house, but the foliage will also block infrared radiation from strong sunbeams in the summer that would lead your house to heat up. The bare branches in the winter let this radiation come through to help warm your home in the colder months.

Install a programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats are a great way to ensure that you are not wasting energy needlessly on excess or unwanted heat. These thermostats are affordable and can be purchased from around £50 – £100. Not only do they allow you to control the temperature in your home much easier but also they can help you save even when you are away.

You should always turn the heating or cooling off in your home whenever you leave, just as you would turn off the lights when you are not using them. If you have a cooler system installed in your house, then turn the temperature on the thermostat higher when you are leaving your home in warmer months, otherwise just turn the heating down throughout the year whenever you’re gone. This little extra control over your heating can help you save considerably on your bill.

Change your incandescent bulbs 

Traditional incandescent bulbs are notorious for wasting energy, with only 2.1% of a 100-watt bulb producing light, and the other 98 watts being wasted on heat. Not only does changing these bulbs with energy efficient alternatives mean you have to spend less money replacing them, but it is also good for the environment.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LEDs such as domestic LED lighting from the LED Lighting Depot and other online retailers, are a much more affordable solution. LEDs use at least 75% less energy and last up to 50 times longer than traditional bulbs, and CFLs use only 27 watts to generate as much light as a 100 watt incandescent.

The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that if more households use LED lighting alternatives in the next two decades, then it will prevent the need for 40 new power plants. This small change will also reduce electricity demand by 33%, resulting in around £172 billion being saved in lighting costs.

Choose greener appliances

Using appliances comprises around 18% of a typical households total energy bill. Older fridges are one of the worst appliances in terms of energy consumption. In the last five years, refrigerator efficiency has greatly improved so new models, especially those with Energy Star ratings, can cost only around $30 – $60 per year to run, compared to $50 – $150 to keep an older fridge running. Replacing this may be initially costly, but the amount of money you will save over the appliances lifetime will end up paying for itself and more.

Image via: Level One Renovations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends you replace any appliance that is more than 10 years old with an Energy star rated, energy-efficient models. These will use between 10% – 50% less water and energy than standard products. These appliances also make a huge difference to the environment, as the EPA predicts that if just one in 10 households used these energy efficient appliances it would be the equivalent of planting a huge 1.7 million acres of trees.

For more energy efficient ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! The weather is getting warmer and keeping a cool home will be more of a challenge as the summer goes on. Today we look at some effective solutions for cooling your home this summer. Watch a few videos that will help you weatherize your home, save money on cooler lightbulbs and water heater savings tips . Then my guest blogger explains how window tinting is a viable option to cool your home this summer. Whether you are trying to save money on your energy costs,save your furniture from fading, or just want a healthier home, today’s DIY Saturday is for you!

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Videos – Tips for Saving Energy and Money this Summer

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Guest Blogger – How Window Tinting will Make your Home Cooler

There are many beneficially reasons to installing window tinting for your home. It is becoming more popular in recent years for various reasons with most house owners sharing the same objectives.  Below are four reasons to consider using window tinting.

1. Protecting your health

Windows add sunlight, luxury and comfort to your home, but it also increases UV exposure, which can result in health risks. In the short term this can cause sun damage, dry skin and affect any other skin conditions you may have. In the long term, sun damage can result in development of skin cancer.

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The most damaging part of sun exposure is the UV (Ultraviolet Radiation). Window Tinting or particular Window Film can reduce harmful radiation without reducing the sunlight.

2. Protecting your furniture and electronics

The direct power of the sun isn’t just damaging to human skin; it can cause a lot of wear and tear for your belongings as well. Some people try to deal with this problem by re-arranging their furniture or making sure to never leave their electronics in a sunny spot. But tinted windows can help you reclaim the whole of your house as your space.

Many types of objects can be damaged by exposure to too much. The list includes: cloth and leather furniture, curtains, computers, plasma televisions and recording equipment. Even the paint on your walls can be at risk of fading and discoloration. You can prevent all these problems with the right type of window film.

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3. Making eco-friendly choices

Installing home window tinting can seriously lower the amount of money you spend to heat and cool your home. This makes it a great option both in terms of your financial well-being and the impact your family makes on the Earth.

The way it works is pretty simple. Window film works as a form of insulation that reduces the amount of heat transferred through your windows. In the summer, this helps keeps the heat out. You’ll be able to enjoy the same amount of comfort while running your air conditioner less. In the winter, tinted windows help keep the heat inside. You’ll save a bundle on your heating bills.

4. Comfort

Does the glare of the sun get in your eyes? Are there certain places you can’t sit in the house because you can’t even see your laptop screen? Tinted windows can help. By reducing the amount of sunlight that enters the windows, they significantly improve any issues with glare that you may be experiencing. This can be especially important for people with sensitive eyes.

As mentioned there are a few good reasons to consider using window tinting on your home.

For you Home Window Tinting needs contact Instant Windscreens & Tinting. Located in multiple locations through out Australia, they are the professionals when it comes to window tinting.

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