How can the common homeowner make her house green without investing in lucrative technology?
The current green movement largely focuses on saving the public environment, but many people can take advantage of the trend for their own personal benefit. Going green can keep extra dollars in your wallet and will keep you and your family safe and healthy.
The green movement is becoming popular among all homeowners. However, many of my clients tell me that they have heard so many different opinions about how exactly to go green at home. In response, I have done some research and will present some of the best—and easiest—ways to green your house. I will tell you quick and easy ways to make your bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, and general household décor into areas that are friendly to the environment and to your family’s health.
Bathroom
Green is usually not a term that we like to associate with bathrooms, but in this case, going green can save the environment and can save you a surprising amount of money. Tap water is the cheapest necessity that we buy, but this fact has only made us into profligate spenders. As cheap as water is, you would be “flushed” to know how much we can save by being smart about how we use our water.
Showers and faucets
Many homeowners adjust the level of water pressure so that their showerheads spray far more water than is needed. Increasing pressure by even an unnoticeable amount will end up using an astonishing amount of more water. Even the most economical showerheads spray over 1.5 gallons per minute; many common showers spray over ten gallons per minute! Water may be cheap, but pennies add up. Look for showerheads that use under four gallons per minute. You may find such products for under $55.
Toilets
Considering how much water we can use in our showers, it is scary to know that the shower isn’t even the least water-friendly appliance in the bathroom. According to The Green Guide, “guzzling twenty-seven percent of your household supply each year, your toilet is by far your home’s largest water user” (The Green Guide). Most toilets use at least 1.5 gallons for each flush. Although we must all flush, we can cut down our water usage by not throwing trash in the toilet. Also, you can now offer high-powered toilets which actually use less water.
Laundry Room
The laundry room is another place where you can save yourself from unnecessary spending and from harmful chemicals.
At first unseen anywhere but in commercial laundries, front-load washers are now the norm. Why? Because for something as long-lived as a washer, the machines pay for themselves. The Energy Star approved machines not only use less water, but they also require far less soap—a double saver! You can find Energy Star approved machines at any home appliance store, and they are coming so far down in price that they have become a staple of every house.
We also use a large amount of chemicals in the laundry room. Conventional soaps and bleaches contain a “laundry list” of chemicals you’ve never heard of. Look for low-chemical detergents and chlorine-free bleaches, which you can easily find in Whole Foods.
Coming soon...
Part II: Going green in your bedroom and with your decor.
**Source: Emily Main and The Green Guide for providing the little details.**
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