Tag: home renovation

To choose a green home is not to only choose sustainability but also healthy and comfort life style as well. Just think about it: who don’t want to live in a nature light-filled house with lush greeneries in the yard.   And who want to live in the house with full of toxic materials?   Sometimes, when I start a project, client’s contractor will say we have a lot of regulations and rules on US market. So whatever we can buy from the market should be fine. But the truth is the US allows many chemicals that are not allowed in Europe. Many known harmful chemicals are allowed in mainstream US products. Yes, the EPA has only fully tested a fraction (3%) of the HPV (High Production Volume) chemicals used in the US due to financial constraints.  There are over 3,000 HPV chemicals in the US. So, we should never take granted that whatever we can buy from the market is safe. It is not and it does require a mindset and some knowledges to choose the right things for us, for the planet where we live and for next generations.  Good news is that  we can always start in simple steps.  There are 6 simple ways we can do immediately to make sure we like greener.

1. Start from outside landscaping.  We can choose native plants, mulch, plant ground cover instead of grass, harvest rainwater, eliminate or minimize the use of fertilizers, create a “living roof,” like the example shared by This Old House , with literally hundreds of succulent plants. You can click here for moreHome stuff, resources, materials and products.
2. Mindfully choose  materials and products that have green certifications.  One thing we need to know is that don’t assume that natural fibers are more eco-friendly than synthetic materials. Pesticides used in cotton agriculture can negate eco-friendliness. So, check tags. Organically grown cotton is a good choice, and so is linen, hemp, and humanely-grown wool. You can also look for recycled polyester, which uses recycled plastic bottles to create fabric.
3. Manage energy consumption. One of the core tenets of being environmentally friendly is being as energy efficient as possible. At the extreme end is what’s called having a “Net Zero” home, which means one that generates as much energy as it uses while still being on the standard energy grid. This creates a carbon-free home and is accomplished in part by making your home airtight (building materials matter) and well insulated. Net Zero homes go beyond going green. Also choosing energy-star qualified appliances is also very critical.
4. Choose LED lighting.The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today’s most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies. Quality LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting. Check out the top 8 things you didn’t know about LEDs to learn more.Green building has grown from a niche market to a savvy business strategy.
5. Choose water sense labeled plumbing products.  Green building has grown from a niche market to a savvy business strategy. WaterSense labeled homes meet consumers’ demand for a whole-house solution to help them save water, energy, and money while maintaining a high level of performance.  You can learn more by clicking here 
6. Control indoor air quality. Indoor air quality is very important. On average, people in industrialized nations spend about 90% of their time indoors, and most of that is in their homes. The unfortunate thing is that modern homes can contain substances that are potentially hazardous to our health. These range from normal dust, to major irritants, such as the chemical vapor off-gassing from the newer synthetic building materials being used today. There are some solutions for controlling indoor air quality: have a good ventilation system; Use Non-Allergenic Building Materials; Remove Artificial Fragrances. You can click here for more

Hope you find above information helpful.

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