Go Green!!
Posted by Nicole Corradi | Posted in Green Design, Interior Design | Posted on 8:54 PM
By now, we've all heard the phrase "Go Green" and have been challenged to take steps in our daily lives to do so, but it may have left you thinking, "Okay, but...how??" It's really a lot less complicated than you may think. There are endless resources online, in magazines, in stores, and on the news that provide helpful lists of ways you can start living "green". I've compiled a list for you of some of the most common and simple steps you can take. Check it out:
1. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs.
This is a very quick and simple way to save energy and money. They are more expensive than regular incandescent light bulbs that you are used to, but they last 10 times longer (10,000 hours rather than 1,500) and use less energy because they convert most of the energy they use into light rather than heat. This causes them to consume 75% less electricity. If you replace one 75-watt incandescent bulb with a 25-watt CFL you could save yourself up to $83 over the life of the bulb.
You can buy them at places like Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Sears, etc.
2. Unplug electronics/appliances that glow.
Items such as TVs, cell phone chargers, printers, DVD players, and anything else that has an LED light that stays on after you turn it off is continuing to use power. The easiest fix for this is to plug them into a power strip that is connected to a light switch. That way you can simply turn all of the items off in one step when you leave your home. It is estimated that this simple adjustment could save you around $200 a year!
3. Recycle old electronics.
Electronics, such as cell phones and computers, contain mercury and other toxic chemicals and should not be thrown away, but recycled. The Consumer Electronics Association created mygreenelectronics.org to help people find a recycling resource in their area. The site also provides a list of electronics, from laptops to baby monitors, that are easier on the environment and your energy bill. You can sell unused cell phones to greenphone.com. You'll receive about $35, and the phones will be refurbished and resold.
4. Conserve water.
Since 1950 we have increased our water consumption by 200%. Conserving water is as easy as fixing a leaky faucet or toilet; a dripping faucet can waste up to 74 gallons a day, a leaking toilet up to 200 gallons a day. You could save about 73,000 gallons of water per year by fixing a leaky toilet (which also saves you $ on your water bill). There are also many great water-efficient shower heads that you can purchase from various hardware and home stores. Front load washers are great as well. GE has a great set that is Energy Star approved and Nicole approved (I have the set in silver and love it! ;)).
5. Buy products with the Energy Star label.
This label serves as a guarantee that the appliance is energy-efficient. In some cases, you could even be eligible for a tax credit for your purchase of an Energy Star appliance. A household with Energy Star products uses about 30 percent less energy than the average household, which is an annual savings of about $570.
6. Adjust fridge and freezer temps.
Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the household. Maximize efficiency by keeping the fridge at 37° F. and the freezer at 0° F.
7. Turn off lights.
Utilize natural light as long as possible each day by opening up blinds/drapes and turn off lights when you are in another room or not at home.
8. Choose low VOC paints.
When you are choosing paint for your home, look for water based products that emit virtually no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which lower your indoor air quality and are not good for your health. Sherwin-Williams low VOC paints are a great example.
9. Get some plants.
Another way to keep your indoor air quality pure is to keep certain plants in your home that will remove toxins from the air. If you don't really have a green thumb, some great greens that don't require much maintenance are Golden pothos, English ivy, and peace lilies.
All of these tips and many more are available online at various websites. Just try a simple Google search if you are curious about more ways to "Go Green!" One basic key to remember is to recycle and to look for items made from recycled materials. I'm no tree hugger; a lot of these tips are just very practical and not that difficult to do. I'm all about simple ways you can make a difference in the world and your wallet!
"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin
1. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs.
This is a very quick and simple way to save energy and money. They are more expensive than regular incandescent light bulbs that you are used to, but they last 10 times longer (10,000 hours rather than 1,500) and use less energy because they convert most of the energy they use into light rather than heat. This causes them to consume 75% less electricity. If you replace one 75-watt incandescent bulb with a 25-watt CFL you could save yourself up to $83 over the life of the bulb.
You can buy them at places like Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Sears, etc.
2. Unplug electronics/appliances that glow.
Items such as TVs, cell phone chargers, printers, DVD players, and anything else that has an LED light that stays on after you turn it off is continuing to use power. The easiest fix for this is to plug them into a power strip that is connected to a light switch. That way you can simply turn all of the items off in one step when you leave your home. It is estimated that this simple adjustment could save you around $200 a year!
3. Recycle old electronics.
Electronics, such as cell phones and computers, contain mercury and other toxic chemicals and should not be thrown away, but recycled. The Consumer Electronics Association created mygreenelectronics.org to help people find a recycling resource in their area. The site also provides a list of electronics, from laptops to baby monitors, that are easier on the environment and your energy bill. You can sell unused cell phones to greenphone.com. You'll receive about $35, and the phones will be refurbished and resold.
4. Conserve water.
Since 1950 we have increased our water consumption by 200%. Conserving water is as easy as fixing a leaky faucet or toilet; a dripping faucet can waste up to 74 gallons a day, a leaking toilet up to 200 gallons a day. You could save about 73,000 gallons of water per year by fixing a leaky toilet (which also saves you $ on your water bill). There are also many great water-efficient shower heads that you can purchase from various hardware and home stores. Front load washers are great as well. GE has a great set that is Energy Star approved and Nicole approved (I have the set in silver and love it! ;)).
5. Buy products with the Energy Star label.
This label serves as a guarantee that the appliance is energy-efficient. In some cases, you could even be eligible for a tax credit for your purchase of an Energy Star appliance. A household with Energy Star products uses about 30 percent less energy than the average household, which is an annual savings of about $570.
6. Adjust fridge and freezer temps.
Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the household. Maximize efficiency by keeping the fridge at 37° F. and the freezer at 0° F.
7. Turn off lights.
Utilize natural light as long as possible each day by opening up blinds/drapes and turn off lights when you are in another room or not at home.
8. Choose low VOC paints.
When you are choosing paint for your home, look for water based products that emit virtually no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which lower your indoor air quality and are not good for your health. Sherwin-Williams low VOC paints are a great example.
9. Get some plants.
Another way to keep your indoor air quality pure is to keep certain plants in your home that will remove toxins from the air. If you don't really have a green thumb, some great greens that don't require much maintenance are Golden pothos, English ivy, and peace lilies.
All of these tips and many more are available online at various websites. Just try a simple Google search if you are curious about more ways to "Go Green!" One basic key to remember is to recycle and to look for items made from recycled materials. I'm no tree hugger; a lot of these tips are just very practical and not that difficult to do. I'm all about simple ways you can make a difference in the world and your wallet!
"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin
For all of you interior designers and home owners.
#10. Please strive to be a green designer, Vintage furniture and Antique furniture will help preserve our natural resources, anyway there is very little new furniture design out there, it has already been done before, now most furniture manufactures are doing small changes in design to sell you new pieces that are tearing down the world’s forests.
It is not true that Antiques will cost you more than custom reproduction pieces, even a lot of manufactured pieces cost more than vintage furniture. It may take a little more work to find the things you are looking for, but I can help you with that. I can show you great design that has been made in the last 200 years that will make any home feel classic, contemporary and even trendy if that the look your client’s want. Work with furniture restorers and re upholsters this will also help the local economy, "Go Green Design”, I will be writing more about this on my page. thanks for the inspiration - MAW Paris