In this issue of "Doug Talks..."
6 ideas for an Eco-Friendly Home
What makes a home environmentally friendly? Some people believe that simply adding green features (such as solar panels on the roof) is enough to qualify a standard home as green. Others argue that certification through green building programs such as LEED is the only way to be sure a home meets adequate sustainability standards. However, most people agree that sustainable home building offers numerous advantages to both homeowners and communities.
There are many ways to incorporate eco-friendly elements into a home.
Below are 7 suggestions to get you started:
Eco-friendly building materials: these are made from renewable resources, have a low impact on the environment and are non-toxic like bamboo and wool; or using recycled products like woods and metals.
Household Water Conservation: Install energy and water efficient appliances like minimal water flush toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines.
Solar Panels: They can be smaller panels in your yard or larger panels on a roof and used for outdoor lighting, water heaters, or a majority of your electrical home needs.
Rainwater Harvesting: Installing a rainwater harvesting system saves water consumption by up to 50%. This is one of the easiest and most energy-efficient ways to save water. Rain barrels can reuse water for watering gardens or landscape irrigation systems.
Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy is heat within the earth and is a source of renewable energy. It can heat and cool your home, preserving natural resources with no harm to the environment.
LED Lighting: LED lights save up to 90% energy compared to a traditional light with the same light output.
