The easiest way to create a green home is to start with small changes in everyday living. From trash bags to outdoor lighting and cheap replacement windows, The Earth Friendly Home, by David R. Goucher, guides consumers to a greener lifestyle.
What is a Green Home?
A green home incorporates sustainable or recycled building materials, and makes use of renewable energy sources. Smart eco-friendly choices in appliances, paint, cleaning products and furnishings all contribute to a green home. Benefits of green living include saving money on utilities, better health and less maintenance. There are plenty of sound reasons to go green.
Renewable Energy Companies
Reducing electrical usage is a free and easy way to lower energy costs and offset the carbon footprint. Take it a step further by locating and purchasing green energy from local renewable energy companies. All 50 states provide green power. Traditional energy providers now subcontract to green suppliers, and while the cost may be a bit higher, it can be offset with sales tax reduction or other credits.
Central Air Conditioning, HVAC Duct Cleaning & Radiant Floor Heating
New choices in central air conditioning include the Coolerado Cooler, thermal energy storage (a future energy option) and absorption coolers. Investigate locally to find the best match for a particular climate. New research suggests that HVAC duct cleaning may reduce energy usage. Radiant floor heating is one of the energy-efficient home heating options detailed in The Earth Friendly Home.
Cheap Replacement Windows: A Source for Free Heat & Light
While replacing windows is not really cheap, the savings in energy costs, and the free source of heat and light they provide makes replacement windows an excellent purchase for the green consumer. Recommendations for Low-e, Gas-fill and U-factor attributes, among others, are provided in Earth Friendly.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Trash Bags, Shredding Service and Pet Waste Containers
Choose trash bags from recycled plastic, usually labeled number seven, and pick up dog waste in a biodegradable plastic bag. Consider a shredding service to reduce trash and make a second life for paper in the form of packing material. Earth Friendly is filled with tips on how to keep consumer waste out of the landfills.
Outdoor Lighting and Home Landscaping
With the large variety of energy-efficient and eco-conscious outdoor lighting options available today, such as solar powered, fluorescent and motion-sensor lights, it can be difficult to make the best choice. Determine how much lighting is really necessary with Mr. Goucher's tips. When hiring help for outdoor lighting or home landscaping projects, look for a green business that will implement these strategies.
Summary
The Earth Friendly Home is written by David Goucher, who has worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador creating sustainable development in protection and preservation of the rain forest. He shares his considerable knowledge with consumers in an easy-to-understand fashion that can help any homeowner create a green home through the use of educated choices in materials and habits of daily living.
Title: The Earth Friendly Home
Author: David R. Goucher
Publisher: Creative Homeowner, 2008, 239 pgs., $19.95
ISBN: 978-1-58011-429-5
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