Ask Rick's Blog

Green Homes And Green Building

  

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• Recycling is the first part of this of this life style. So make sure you design an area in your new homes for recycling.

• Set aside bins in your new green home to separate and collect recyclable materials, including newspapers, white paper, clear and colored glass, plastic water, milk bottles, aluminum, cardboard, batteries, and fluorescent light bulbs.
• Packing peanuts and other packaging materials will sit in a landfill for centuries if not recycled properly.
• Many computers, monitors, cell phones, and other electronics contain toxic materials that should not sit in landfills, and you'd be surprised how many retailers and other companies will recycle your old gadgets.

Going green is not just about the three R’s but it’s also about choosing the right products to use. Here are a few tips on what to use around the house:

Cleaning

• Use nontoxic, environmentally safe, biodegradable cleaning and laundry products which you can find almost everywhere. Just read the labels carefully.

• Don't pollute your indoor air or mask odors that could alert you to a problem. Choose fragrance-free products.

Transportation

• Buy a high-efficiency car if you can afford one. Check the U.S. Department of Energy's list of most fuel-efficient cars to find the one that's right for you.

• Urge your workplace to have a van-pool, environmentally responsible purchasing policies and an improved indoor environment. Rid your workplace of secret energy addicts. They are everywhere.

Personal Practices

• Buy locally-grown food and locally manufactured items. Not only does it reduce the amount of fossil fuels required to transport the things you buy from other parts of the country or world but it also reduces the amount of plastic and paper products consumed in the packaging and shipping. Buying local reduces the consumption of valuable natural resources.
• Say no to paper or plastic! Bring your own reusable tote bags, which are available for sale at many grocers and other retailers. Not only are they sturdier and more reliable than common grocery bags but they also don’t end up in landfills. If you must use disposable bags, ask your bagger to avoid double-bagging whenever possible.
• Use nontoxic gardening techniques. Many gardeners over-apply or improperly apply pesticides, putting themselves, families, and pets at increased health risk. Store pesticides and gardening tools out of the reach of children to avoid harmful injury or even death. When you tend to your garden, make sure you use motorized tools and pesticides sparingly for those emissions end up in or air and drinking water.
• Write a letter urging your school district to construct new green schools and undertake green renovations of existing schools for your children. Even planting a school garden can make a difference to morale and quality.

• Advocate for green building codes and regulations in your community.

• Make a switch to socially responsible investing.

Energy

• Unplug the "secret energy addicts" in your home. TVs, VCRs, DVD players, cable TV boxes, computers and printers, video game consoles, microwave ovens, AC adapters for cell phones, digital cameras and other electronics all use energy even when turned off. That "off" setting is actually a "standby" or "idling" mode which, in the average household, consumes 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. That's enough energy to power an entire home for two months, or more.
• More and more utility companies are offering their customers the option to purchase green power, electricity generated by rapidly renewable resources like solar power, wind turbines, geothermal systems, and biomass, to power their homes. Generally, green power adds $2 to $3 a month to your utility bill while helping to combat global climate change and America's dependence on foreign oil.
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs in your lights wherever possible.

• Washing your clothes in cold or cool water uses less energy than hot water.

Remember, greatness in is the details. Good luck with your new home and I hope this helps you. If you have any other question or comments, feel free to leave them here or email me at rick@livewellcustomhomes.com 

Live Well Custom Homes have 4 New Homes for Sale in Birmingham Michigan ready for you. Please visit our web site under homes New Homes to view what we have. If  you do not find what you are looking for , we can help find you that perfect vacant lot in Birmingham , than design and build you a brand new custom home just for you.