Even if you use green practices when running your home on a day-to-day basis, it’s easy to forget about these when it comes time for a big home improvement project. And because green can sometimes mean more expensive as well, it can be tempting to cut corners on home remodeling and go with the conventional methods, even if they’re not very good for the environment. Let’s look at some of the easy ways to improve your home without damaging the environment in the process.

Paints: Putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls is a great way to give your home a quick and inexpensive facelift. But most types of paints emit volatile organic compounds, or VOC, over time. These will fill your home’s air with toxic substances, and often the same ones you’re trying to cut out of your cleaning products. When you’re painting, choose a paint formulated with low or no VOC levels. Most major manufacturers have at least one line in this category, and their prices aren’t bad. Plus, they have a very low odor level, so you won’t have to deal with a house that smells like new paint.

Building Materials: The materials you use in your projects are important, so look at where everything comes from. Consider shopping at salvage yards, where you can get reclaimed materials. If you’re going new, wood is generally better than plastic because it doesn’t require oil to use. Cork and bamboo are even better because they grow more quickly, and therefore, are more renewable. If you don’t want wood flooring, prioritize linoleum over vinyl, or even better, go with natural tile. In addition to using green materials, also consider what to do with anything you take out of your home. If possible, reuse, sell or donate materials you take out of your home rather than sending them right to the landfill. Many interior materials can be repurposed in your yard as garden paths, flowerbeds or other items.

Eco-Friendly Remodelers: The contractors you hire have a big impact on what your project does to the environment. If you choose contractors who don’t have much experience with green remodeling and improvement projects, you’ll have to ask them to specifically use green materials and procedures, which they may not be very familiar with. On the other hand, if you choose a contractor who has extensive experience with green projects, he’ll be able to provide expertise and fill in your knowledge gaps. The contractor’s recommendations and policies can go a long way in making your project a greener one.

Interior Decorations: Improving your home goes beyond the big projects and into the little details you use to decorate and spruce up your space. These components can either hurt or harm the environment as well, so it’s important to make informed choices. For example, when choosing fabrics and fills for seats and cushions, opt for bamboo, hemp, wool, cotton, silk and feathers rather than synthetic alternatives. Include live plants in your decor to help purify your air. Install a mirror on the wall perpendicular to a window so you can reflect light into the room and save on electricity. The options are countless for going green in decorations.

The most important thing in all of this is to stop and think before embarking on any project in your home or garden. Consider how you can reuse materials or opt for natural materials at each step. The choices you make now will have a big impact on the future of the environment.

Have you ever experienced “green guilt”? I’m guessing you have, unless you live under a rock (which would actually be an excellent example of green living, now that I think of it). Green guilt occurs when you do something for enjoyment, convenience or necessity that is potentially damaging to the environment. You know, like when you toss that Coke can in the trash because the nearest recycling bin is next to your creepy uncle Bob at the family picnic. Green guilt can overtake you anywhere, but in your home, it’s most likely to hit you in the kitchen. Luckily there are ways to combat this, and maybe even save a few bucks in the process.

Greener Appliances

In greening your kitchen, the first thing you want to look at is your appliances. If they’re more than 10 years old, you may do more good for your wallet and the environment in the long run by replacing them. Modern appliances are tremendously energy efficient, and upgrading an energy waster like an old refrigerator can be a major savings on your electric bill. Another tip, as suggested in an online article from Food Service Warehouse, is to use a griddle instead of a broiler. Griddles use much less energy, particularly when they are kept clean. There are even special green stoves and griddles that use resources like steam or infra-red burners to save energy. Using alternative energy like residential solar to power your appliances can also save money and carbon emissions.

Green Tips and Tricks

According to an article on treehugger.com, preheating is a major waste of energy. Modern ovens heat up quickly and maintain heat well, so you can just put your food in the oven right away and then actually shut the oven off five or ten minutes before the time is up, letting the heat already in the oven finish the cooking for you. Cooking two things simultaneously in an oven is another great energy saver. Make sure that lids fit tightly on cooking pans and dishes and avoid Teflon pans. They don’t last as long as stainless steel or cast iron and will be occupying a landfill just a few years after you purchase them.

Eat Your “Greens”

To eat truly “green” food, your best bet is to buy local. Ideally, this would mean picking your own apples and buying your tomatoes off the back of a truck from a guy named Cletus, but for most of us, the best we can do is to look for the labels in the store that tell us that something came from a local farm. If you think about the environmental cost of flying in star fruit from the Amazon basin in January, those canned peaches from the next town over don’t sound so bad anymore. Another way to be green when buying food is to buy in bulk, which saves you some green and also reduces the amount of packaging you have to throw away when the food is gone.

Doing what you can to keep your kitchen from wasting too much energy can help to keep you from wasting too much money, too. With a few minor adjustments, you can keep your kitchen green and guilt free.

Taking steps to create an environmentally friendly atmosphere at home is a great way to make a contribution to the growing need for the reduction of our negative environmental impact and is often the first step in the right direction.

The important point to remember is our efforts shouldn’t stop at home; we can all extend our influence by instilling positive, eco-friendly habits in the workplace too.

Whether you are part of a business built for one, or a towering office block, becoming environmentally friendly can be simple and cost effective. Creating a greener workplace will reduce the company’s carbon footprint, save money and create a happy, healthy place for employees to go about their daily duties.

Here are some simple tips for improving your workplace environmental impact:

1. Use eco-friendly cleaning products.

We no longer need to sacrifice a thorough clean by opting for cleaning products that won’t harm our environment; in fact, some eco-friendly cleaning agents have been proven to achieve a better clean that standard products. Ask your professional cleaner about an eco-friendly range which will be safer for staff and our environment.

2.  Implement an energy saving plan.

Get the whole team on board with an energy saving plan. Simple steps like using power saving features on computers and keeping air-conditioning units on a neutral level will save money with the monthly electricity bill and reduce unnecessary energy waste. There could be small bonuses for reductions in energy usage to keep motivation levels up with staff.

3.  Reduce paper waste.

Reducing paper waste goes further than cutting down on printing; we can also find ways to reduce the use of disposable paper towels too. Installing a quality hand drying system is an effective way to achieve this goal. The Dyson Airblade hand Dryer has been proven to be the most effective, eco-friendly and hygienic dryer on the market. Although the Airblade requires a one off payment and energy usage, it will eradicate the need for ongoing paper towel stockage while reducing paper waste, rubbish and tree felling.

4.  Cut down or remove paper & foam cups.

Take your own coffee mug to work rather than using foam cups which are harmful to the environment, slow to degrade and quick to fill the rubbish bin. Rinsing your coffee mug after each use instead of throwing a disposable away will make a big difference in the long run.

5.  Buy organic and fair trade coffee beans and tea.

This is an easy way to help the environment and fair trade beans can result in a nicer brew too! There is now a great variety of fair trade food products available to choose from and you can rest easy knowing your coffee or tea was produced the right way.

6.  Implement a thorough recycling plan.

Although most companies tend to recycle a certain amount of their waste, there are usually areas that could be improved. For example, provide separate bins for plastic bottles and cans to avoid them ending up in a general rubbish bin. Ensure all paper waste is sent to a paper bin and have them emptied regularly. Old electronics and phones that cannot be reused or resold should be disposed of via an electrical recycling plant.

Completing the above steps will cost very little time, effort and money to implement, all while making a sizable difference to the environment. Eco-friendly systems should be reviewed biannually to asses any needs for improvement and to ensure the procedures are being followed adequately. Pulling together as a team will definitely make the process a breeze and maybe even a little bit fun too. Good luck!

Jess is a New Zealand blogger who frequently writes about cleanliness in the workplace. She often writes for Cannon Hygiene, a commercial cleaning company who offer everything from computer cleaning services to washroom hygiene.

Green energy, or renewable energy, is the use of sustainable, pollutant-free resources that benefit the environment by reducing overall waste production. By practicing green techniques in the home, people can reduce their gas and electricity consumption.

There are several types of green energy, all of which work in specific ways to positively impact the planet and save consumers money by reducing the cost and necessity of fossil fuels to produce electricity.

How Green Energy Works

Solar energy harnesses radiation from the sun, converting sunlight into electricity through the use of photovoltaic cell devices, large mirrors, or lenses.

Wind energy, or the energy of air in motion, can be converted into mechanical energy that generates electricity through the use of wind turbines.

Water energy, or hydropower, is the practice of converting flowing water into mechanical energy through the use of penstock piping. Electricity is then derived from mechanical energy through use of a generator.

Biomass energy, which can be produced from substances such as garbage, cow manure and wood, involves the burning of biomass fuel in boilers. This type of energy can be used in steam turbines to create electricity and can be used to heat water.

Geothermal energy is generated underground through the trapping of heat. When the heat rises to the land surface, it is harnessed as steam and used in steam turbines to produce electricity.

Ten Tips For Saving On Energy Bills

1. Wait until dishwashers and washing machines are full before operating them. Rather than run multiple cycles of half-loaded electric machines, conserve energy use by filling the machines to capacity.

2. Dry dishes by hand instead of using an electric dishwashing appliance. Washing and drying dishes by hand is more time-consuming than using a dishwasher, but the savings on your energy bills are worth the effort.

3. Unplug electric appliances and home electronic systems when they are not in use. This practice can be simplified with the use of power strip units, which allow multiple appliances to be plugged into a single source.

4. Keep all doors and windows shut when operating a home heater or air conditioner. Taking care to ensure that there are no air leaks coming from your windows or doors is also an energy-conscious decision.

5. Use a programmable thermostat to control the temperature of your air conditioner or heater. Set a reasonable, but not overly indulgent, temperature for both cool air and heat to maximize your savings.

6. Turn off electronic devices, overhead lights and computers when you leave a room in which they are located. Getting into the habit of conserving energy in this manner will save you money in the long run.

7. Dry clothes by hanging them on a line rather than using an electric dryer. Whether you hang clothes outside or indoors, air-drying them on a regular basis will lower your electric bill.

8. Conserve water by showering rather than bathing. Try to take brief showers while using an energy-efficient showerhead rather than filling and re-filling a tub of bath water.

9. Make sure that the air ducts in your home are properly insulated. Unsealed ducts can cause air leaks, which contribute to greater energy output from heating and cooling appliances.

10. Use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances in your home. Shop for products that have the ‘Energy Star’ label to ensure that they have been certified as energy-efficient.

A great way to save on energy bills and to have a more eco-friendly home is to make sure that said home is well insulated. The better the insulation, the less energy you will waste resulting in lower heating and cooling bills. This article discusses some handy tips with which you can improve your home’s insulation.

The majority of heat and energy is lost through a home’s windows, but you can also use windows to your advantage by making the most out of your access to natural light. To improve your windows’ insulation, check what kind of glazing you have. Double or triple glazings are two of the most energy-efficient glazings out there. With double glazing there are two glass sheets which are separated by an approximately 16 mm gap. Triple simply means that there are three sheets of glass.                     The extra sheet of glass ensures an extra barrier for insulation. As installing these types of glazing can be expensive, there is also the option of secondary glazing, where an extra sheet of glass is added to the existing one. The seal is not as strong as with a double glazed window, but it is still better for your insulation than just a single sheet of glass.

You should also check your window frames for draughts or damages. If heat is escaping through a damaged window frame, then this can be easily fixed with some wood filler. Another great way to add some improved insulation is through your window treatment. Thick curtains can do a good job, but wooden blinds do a better one. Their close proximity to the glass and sturdy material prevents heat from escaping, and as they have adjustable slates you can make the most out of natural light, too.

Your walls are probably the second most important part of your home, which need better insulation, and here again you have several options. If you have a cavity wall, then there are two layers of brick with a gap or cavity between them. This gap can be filled, but unfortunately you cannot do this yourself and will need to employ a registered installer. Once the gap has been filled, you can expect a carbon dioxide saving of around 550kg per year.

If you have a solid wall, meaning that you have two slayers of bricks that have been slotted together in an alternating pattern so that there is no gap, then you need to use a different type of insulation. With solid walls you can opt for internal or external insulation. Internal insulation entails fitting rigid insulation boards to the wall. Alternatively you can build a stud wall filled with mineral wood fibre. The external walls are fitted with insulation material, which is then covered with a special type of render/ plasterwork or cladding. With internal wall insulation you can save 1.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, while external provides you with 1.9 tonnes saved. The main difference between the two is their cost. External is a lot more expensive then internal, but on the other hand it is less disruptive to the household. Both options have different pros and cons.

Many people equate solar energy use to solar panel installations. But while solar panels present one way of solar energy use, there are many other methods. Think of the time you sit in the sun, air your washing on the dry line or read a book by the window. In all instances, you are using solar energy. But, why are solar panels the best known means of using solar energy?

Following are some facts that you need to know about solar panels.

1. Understanding solar panels

Solar panels, also called solar modules, are made of solar cells. Solar cells are the dark bluish compartments you see within the top surface of the solar panels. Each of these solar cells produces a small electrical charge (about 0.5V direct current) when exposed to sunlight. Many solar cells are connected together to form a solar panel which can produce a usable amount of electricity. Solar panels convert sunlight to electrical energy which is available for use, free of charge other than the initial cost of installation and minimal maintenance. This means that when you have solar panels converting sunlight into electricity for you, you save on an equivalent amount of electricity from the utility company.

2. Modern solar panels are low maintenance

Solar panels have no moving parts and need no fuel. The only maintenance required is to keep them clean and ensure that they are installed in such a way that they are exposed to the sun for a maximum amount of time everyday. This means that once you have purchased and installed solar panels, you have a free source of electricity fueled only by the sun.

3. Solar panels have a long lifespan

After installation, solar panels can provide you with free electricity for as long as 20 – 25 years. The conservative manufacturer rating of 15-20 years generally refers to the period when the solar panels provide about 100% of their rated electricity output. There after, efficiency begins to go down. Money is saved because the cost of solar panels installation is recouped within a few years of use.

4. Efficiency of solar panels

Solar panels have a 15-20% efficiency rating in converting sunlight into electricity. The meaning of this is that even when a solar panel is rated 100 watts, it effectively produces 15-20 watts whenever it receives sunlight that would theoretically result with a 100 watt production. Solar panel efficiency is, however, different for different types of panels and it is advisable to look out for the most efficient types. Efficiency is one of the reasons why solar panels are usually only used in supplemental or back-up electricity systems.

5. Power rating of solar panels

Being electrical generators, solar panels are rated in watts, volts and amperes. These are the units used to measure the amount of electricity produced by a solar panel. As a rule, the higher the rating, the more electricity you can get from a solar panel.

6. Solar panels increase property value

Similar to other green energy systems, installation of solar panels helps raise the value of properties. Real estate agents say that solar energy systems cause an appreciation by about five times the cost of installation. This is further good news, additional to the benefit of getting free electricity.

Overall, installing solar panels contributes towards a better environment. Because it also helps you save money, it is a green living method that you should seriously consider embracing.

Albert Gichimu is a writer, researcher and editor for Key Insurance Quotes. He writes on a variety of subjects including green living and is based in Nairobi.

A lot of convincing needs to be done in order for most people to adopt any green measures but as soon as they find out it will cost more most of those people will not be willing to make those changes. If you asked someone if they wanted to be more environmentally friendly, reduce pollution or adopt any other positive green measures most would say yes. However when it comes to actually doing something most are apathetic.

If you put barriers in the way of positive change then change is not going to happen. Adopting green measures needs to be painless, have clear benefits and not be prohibitively costly. It therefore makes sense to offer consumers ways to make a difference but also have something in it for them; people will always want to know what direct benefits they will get. Ironically saving the planet in no something many people can see the benefit to themselves, after all why can’t someone else do it!

Making green technologies more financially attractive is one way to give homeowners a clear benefit whilst having a positive environmental impact. Many countries now have a feed-in tariff that rewards homeowners for generating clean energy, particularly from solar. In some countries such as the UK this has lead to secondary schemes where households can get free solar panels fitted to their homes. It shows that the private market can also help provide a positive outcome.

Reducing energy use

When you talk about reducing energy or water usage most people automatically think that this will impact their current standard of living. The fact is that your standard of living can be maintained by using less and as a result reduce the amount you pay out on water, heating and energy costs.

There are many building standards such as PassivHaus that build to much higher green standards so the finished homes are better insulated and less draughty. A home built to this standard requires much less heating in the winter and cooling in the summer and so saves the owner on fuel bills. Due to the higher building specifications this type of home is generally more expensive to build and so this puts off many prospective self builders and home builders.

There are however ways to reduce the cost such as using faster building techniques that means lower labour costs. Reducing costs means that you still get a home that is cheaper to heat and cool but the final product is more competitively priced compared to homes built to traditional standards. If you offer two homes to a family where one home is cheaper to run and all other things being equal the family will more than likely choose the PassivHaus.

If people can see the clear benefits to them then they will naturally gravitate to that option. As energy bills continue to rise the choice of a lower running cost home will be an even more attractive option. By giving people an option that is more favourable and beneficial means that we can reduce harmful emissions globally without impacting on current standards of living.

Allan Burns is passionate about promoting green alternatives over at his site, Free Solar Panels UK where you can find information on different ways to save money and reduce your environmental impact.

Solar power is ever-growing in popularity, and with the rise in utility bills and cost of living, home-owners are seeing the huge benefits of installing domestic solar panel systems.

There’s always someone quick to point out reasons why you shouldn’t bother with solar energy, much in the same way as there’s always someone to point out why global warming is a myth. For those of you who like to be well-informed when you make a decision, we’ve put together a few common myths floating around about solar panels and the UK Government FiT scheme:

Myth #1: It’s just so businesses can make more money from us

The worst myth out there for discouraging those interested in solar power, is that domestic solar panels were simply put on the market for big corporations to make more money.

Although it’s true to say that large businesses have exploited the FIT scheme in the UK over the last 12 months or so in order to gain big pay-outs from large non-domestic solar installations, it is certainly not the case that the scheme has been built to benefit big business. New updates to the scheme have been proposed that will massively reduce the chance for FiT to be exploited and move the focus back onto domestic panels and the benefits to individual households.

Myth #2: Taxpayers are paying for the feed-in-tariff schemes

It seems no one really believes this one anymore, but it can have a mention: Energy companies pay for the Feed-in Tariff, not the public. Although it could be said that the energy companies will pass this on to consumers in their prices, but this would surely just provide greater incentives to go solar and help build a sustainable economy around domestic solar power.

Myth #3: There isn’t enough sun in the UK for solar panels

This “fact” is always stated as a reason not to use solar energy – that we don’t have enough sunlight in the UK to make solar efficient. The truth is modern solar panels utilise daylight, not direct sunlight, for power generation and generate at least 40% of their potential yield on a completely overcast day. This means that solar panels would work anywhere, from the north of Scotland to the south of England.

Myth #4: Solar power is not sustainable long-term

It’s often heard that governments are significantly reducing the level of their FiT. This is wrong – the whole point of FiT schemes is to stimulate the market and the rate of emerging technologies, develop the two and let the solar power economy take off to the point where it doesn’t need the government to babysit anymore. As it stands, with fossil fuel prices rising and the potential for huge economies in both the manufacture and installation of solar panels, things can only improve.

The benefits not only to yourself, but to the environment and the future of renewable energy are huge and by investing in different methods of producing electricity our dependency on harmful fossil fuels can be thrown away in favour of a brighter (!) future with solar power.

Choosing an environmentally-conscious lifestyle and creating a greener home is the best way to become more energy efficient and Eco-friendly. Below are some tips toward a more efficient lifestyle.

Change Habits

Habits can be hard to break, but modifying daily activities is essential to the greening process. In the home, this could mean washing clothes only when a full load is present and skipping the dryer. Line-drying clothes and drying dishes by hand are two easy ways to cut energy usage.

Speaking of dishes, in the kitchen, a bit of design can be incredibly helpful. Refrigerators should be housed in an area of the kitchen which is out of the sun and away from any other heat-producing appliances such as the oven or dishwasher.

Also, keep an eye on the thermostat, as this solar-power-your-home.com post notes, “if you really like to wake up to and come home to a warm house, putting the thermostat on a timer so it comes on just before wake up or get home is a far better option than leaving the heating on all day.”

Increase Sustainability of Items

Habits can go a long way; help appliances go longer by using some elbow grease and incorporating those habits to ensure appliances and other home items become more sustainable.

Appliance parts are easy to find on the internet; click here for more information on finding spare appliance parts. Use replacement parts and simple repair to fix small problems around the home and keep items and appliances in prime condition. Better conditioned machines operate in a smoother and more efficient fashion; plus keeping things in your home longer keeps them out of the landfill.

Upgrade to Energy Efficient and Shop Smart

Even the most sustainable appliances have a lifespan. When this happens, choose models with energy efficient labels such as Energy Star. According to Energy Star.gov, “products can earn the Energy Star label by meeting the energy efficiency requirements set forth in Energy Star product specifications. EPA establishes these specifications based on the following set of key guiding principles” related to measured levels of lessened energy usage.

Energy Star provides labels for appliances, lighting sources, building materials, heating and cooling units, water systems, and more.

Use Less

Conservation is key. Low flow faucets will help conserve water whereas LED lighting options will use less energy to light the home. Utilize appliances with smaller engines; counter top appliances have smaller engines and burn energy only when being directly used.

Katie Cranford is a writer and conservationist who enjoys sharing ways she saves energy in her home.

We have been raging a way on our planet since we started throwing anything and everything away and filling landfills like it’s our job. However, it’s never too late to start doing your part to help out the environment and lessen your carbon footprint. If you’re unsure of where to start, composting is a great place because you can do it in your own backyard. And the benefits that it offers are astounding:

1.     Saves Money

By composting organic materials you will significantly cut back on the need to water and fertilize the garden because it helps keep the soil rich with nutrients and you won’t have to pay for pricey fertilizers. Why pay for expensive lawn care products when you can create your own free of charge and save on your water bill?

2.     Reduce Waste in Landfills

As it is landfills are already filled to the brim with both biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials. What are we going to do when we run out of room for all that trash? Composting organic materials offers a viable solution to seriously putting a dent in how much trash we throw out each week.

3.     Richer Soil

The key to having a beautiful lawn and garden boils down to one thing: having better composting that goes into your lawn and garden.  But you don’t have to buy fancy fertilizers to get the perfect lawn. Making your own compost provides the soil with the richest nutrients, providing you with greener grass, fuller flowers, and a healthier lawn. It also will fight diseases and lawn pests and encourage plant growth.

4.     Combat Global Warming

Sending food waste to places like landfills makes it produce toxic greenhouse gases that will end up seeping into our ground and water. By composting you break down the organic materials naturally and keep everything safe not toxic.

5.     It’s Easy

Let’s be honest, we rarely jump at the opportunity to do something that’s going to be hard and require a lot of work. But composting is something that is easily accomplished and has a wealth of benefits. You just need a designated space and container for it and to mix it up occasionally. For all the good it does, that’s a small price to pay.

Our environment needs a little help from all the hardship we keep putting it through, and composting offers that solution. Take a look around at everything the Earth provides – isn’t it time to say thank you and do something in return?

Heather Smith is an ex-nanny. Passionate about thought leadership and writing, Heather regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations, branding, and parenting blogs/websites. She also provides value to nanny service by giving advice on site design as well as the features and functionality to provide more and more value to nannies and families across the U.S. and Canada. She can be available at H.smith7295 [at] gmail.com.