Tips to go Green

I found this list of going green tips on www.frontdoor.com

I know sometimes reading these lists can make you think ‘good ideas, too much effort’. The fact of the matter is investing your time in green is an investment back in your pocket. <--Not inspirational enough, then let me know specifically what you want help doing in your home and CD Realtors will be happy to assist you!

1. Reduce water waste. Replace pre-1994 toilets, showerheads and sinks to instantly save water. Federal standards now require that these fixtures use less water. An upgrade to a low-flow toilet can also trim about $90 a year off your water bill.

2. Go for a gas fireplace. Gas fireplaces provide heating with less indoor and outdoor pollution than the traditional word-burning style. The most efficient option is a direct-vent model, which vents without a chimney. Increase the efficiency of a traditional fireplace by installing a wood stove or using natural gas or pellet inserts.

3. Get a cooler roof. A roof that reflects heat instead of absorbing it allows you to keep your home cool with less energy. Metal provides a cool roofing option that lasts for decades and can mimic the look of materials like wood, tile and stone.

4. Save on heating costs. While it's pricey to purchase, a solar water heater will save you money in the long run by reducing hot water bills up to 80 percent. For best results, install the heater where there's an unobstructed southern exposure.

5. Be counter intuitive. Granite is great, but explore other eco-friendly countertop options, including counters made from recycled paper or hemp. These durable surfaces are easy to clean, but color selection can be limited.

6. Encourage recycling. Make recycling convenient for you, your family and your guests by having a designated spot for recycling in the kitchen.

7. Explore green flooring. Hardwood floors make for a great home investment, but you can get the look and feel of hardwood with sustainable wood options. Cork flooring, made from leftovers at bottle-stopping factories, is one eco-friendly option. It's durable, warm and resistant to spills, making it an especially sensible option for homes with kids or pets.

8. Choose natural wallpaper. Conventional wallpaper options often contain harmful chemicals and synthetic materials, but natural alternatives exist. Consider wallpaper made of sea grass, an abundant, sustainable resource found in saltwater marshes. Sea-grass wallpaper gives walls a natural, textured look.

9. Reject a traditional deck. As an alternative to a hardwood deck, try composite decking made from wood waste and recycled plastic. In addition to being eco-friendly, composite decking outperforms ordinary wood decking; it lasts longer, requires less maintenance and won't warp, crack, splinter or rot.

10. Try recycled mulch. Recycled from scrap tires, rubber mulch serves as an eco-friendly substitute for wood mulch, especially useful as a playground safety surface. The mulch also hinders weed growth in gardens without rotting or blowing away. However, some gardeners are reluctant to use it because the rubber can contain zinc and other heavy metals harmful to plants.