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Featured Green Building Home Improvement

Why You Should Consider Installing a Dual-Flush Toliet

American homes are notorious for wasting water. It seems not much thought is given to leaving the water running while brushing your teeth or taking an hour-long shower. Interest in low flow and dual flush toilets is on the rise in the United States, due in part to increased government regulation and the rising cost of water, and there are incentives for making changes in the way we use the toilet. One product set to combat this is the dual-flush toilet. These designs look and act like standard toilets but are able to reduce water consumption by providing the right amount of water for the specific task.

How they work

Standard toilets use siphoning action, a method that employs a siphoning tube, to evacuate waste. A high volume of water entering the toilet bowl when the toilet’s flushed fills the siphon tube and pulls the waste and water down the drain. When air enters the tube, the siphoning action stops. Dual flush toilets employ a larger trapway (the hole at the bottom of the bowl) and a wash-down flushing design that pushes waste down the drain. Because there’s no siphoning action involved, the system needs less water per flush, and the larger diameter trapway makes it easy for waste to exit the bowl. Combined with the savings from using only half-flushes for liquid waste, the dual flush toilet design can save up to 68 percent more water than a conventional low flow toilet [source: How Stuff Works].

Here are a few Pros and Cons for purchasing a duel-flush toilet for your home.

Pros

  • According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 4,000 gallons of water can be saved annually in a residential household that converts to these water-conserving fixtures.
  • Most types of dual flush toilet are designed to use gravity to remove waste through a large trapway, rather than old-fashioned pressure siphoning. The size of the trapway has a bonus effect: it reduces the incidence of clogs.
  • Dual flush toilets aren’t just clever and pretty; those that are high efficiency models are required to flush up to 350 grams of waste.

Cons

  • Some models of dual flush toilets may require professional installation or simply present a frustrating challenge for the DIY enthusiast
  • Many models may leave some residue in the bowl when using the low volume flush option. This means that dual flush toilets in general require more frequent cleaning
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Featured Furnishings Home Improvement

Ceiling Fans Can Help Reduce Your Energy Costs

Everyone who lives in a climate that gets over 80° is interested in reducing energy costs.  Installing a ceiling fan is one way that you can save some money and stay cool in the summer.

Why a ceiling fan

An important tidbit of information to remember is that ceiling fans don’t lower the temperature in the room, they just provide a breeze that can help make you feel up to 5° cooler. However the movement of the air inside the house in the summer may be enough to lower the thermostat a couple degrees, thus saving you a few dollars on your electric bills. Ceiling fans cool you off which will help reduce the temptation to keep lowering the thermostat. It is important to remember to make sure the blades are rotating counter-clockwise for a “cooling” effect.

Where to put a ceiling fan

If you are remodeling your home or having a new home built, don’t forget to order the wiring for a ceiling fan in every room (where you could possibly want one), even if they don’t get installed right away. It is much cheaper to have the rooms wired in the remodel/building stage than after the fact.  It’s a good idea to put a ceiling fan in every room where your family spends a lot of time (kitchen, family room, living room, the den, and of course the bedrooms).

What ceiling fans won’t do

Ceiling fans won’t keep your home cool if you leave them on when you aren’t home.  They don’t cool the air, they just provide you with a breeze that cools you off.  If you leave your fan on in the room when you aren’t there you aren’t saving energy – you’re wasting it!

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Featured Home Decor

Are Your Curtains Eco-Friendly?

 Like upholstery, drapery fabrics can be made of either natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, and wool, or petroleum-based synthetics like polyester, nylon, and rayon. Try to avoid petroleum-based synthetics like polyester, nylon and rayon whenever possible. Not only do these curtains harm the environment but the chemicals that are used to make these curtains can make you and your family sick. Currently ready-to-hang organic curtains are hard to find, but if you are willing to do your research beforehand, you will be able to find them. If you really can’t find any eco-friendly curtains you love, you can buy fabric online and have custom made curtains (or make them yourself)! When purchasing curtains try to choose fabrics that have been colored with less toxic, “low-impact” dyes, or opt for naturally pigmented fabrics such as “color-grown” cotton. Another great curtain material you can choose is bamboo. Bamboo is a great eco-friendly material and it also looks great as a window shade!

It’s wise to avoid curtains coated with stain treatments and flame retardants. As with upholstered furniture, these treatments on drapery fabrics can be a source of toxic PFCs and PBDEs. If you’re concerned about the fire risk posed by untreated fabrics, make wool your fabric of choice, as it’s naturally resistant to fire and doesn’t stain as easily as other fabrics.

To make the most of your curtains’ energy-saving benefits during the summer months, look for styles that have a light-colored backing, which will deflect the sun’s rays and help reduce summer cooling costs. (If your chosen curtains don’t have backings, they can always be added later by a skilled seamstress.) On hot, sunny days, be sure to close the curtains on windows that face the sun–doing so will help keep things cool and ease your air conditioner’s workload. In winter close the curtains in rooms you’re not using in order to keep chilly drafts out and heat in.

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Featured Green Building Home Design Home Improvement

Is Your Water Heater Draining Your Wallet?

Many people are surprised to learn that heating domestic water is the third largest energy expense consumed in households. Therefore using a more eco-friendly water heater will help your family to not only save on energy consumption, which in the long run is great for the environment, but also will help you save your family money.

Rheem Tankless Water Heater, Model# RTE-27, $740.55

Traditional tank water heaters continuously heat the water they hold, 24 hours every day, whether you need hot water or not. This is a complete waste of energy and money. However, tankless water heaters provide a much more efficient option by heating water only as it is needed. The water is heated quickly and delivered at a steady rate for as long as it is needed, and the heater shuts off automatically when the supply is closed.

Tankless water heaters are also extremely compact when compared to tank heaters, as they can be wall-mounted whereas tanks can require up to 16 square feet of floor space. A variety of different sizes and types of tankless water heaters are currently available on the market.  It is essential to find one that will be able

to withstand your home’s demands, depending on the size of your home and family. “Whole House” types are available, or you can install two or more separate units to handle different appliances if necessary. Don’t forget to look for the Energy Star efficiency logo when shopping for the perfect tankless water heater for you and your family.

The initial investment for a tankless water heater might be a little bit more expensive than traditional water heaters, however it will save you plenty of money in the long run. Tankless water heaters can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,150 which seems a little steep when compared with $300 to $480 for the regular storage-tank types. Although the cost may seem a little high, we think that it is a great investment that will help reduce your carbon footprint and save you money in the long run!

Sources: Consumerreports.com, (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/heating-cooling-and-air/water-heaters/tankless-water-heaters/overview/tankless-water-heaters-ov.htm)

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Featured Home Improvement

4 Ways to Make Your Air Conditioner Greener

Green air conditioning is becoming more widespread as air conditioner manufacturers phase out ozone-depleting refrigerants in their products in order to meet new government regulations. A number of technological advancements are also making AC units greener. With warmer weather on the way now’s a good time to start looking for a new “greener” unit. Whether by purchasing units with energy-saving technologies or by improving a home’s energy efficiency, here are four ways to make air conditioners greener.

Size Matters

An under-sized air conditioner not only won’t keep the home cool but will keep trying, wasting electricity and running up the household’s energy bills. A too-small unit won’t be able to balance the air cooled in the unit’s condenser with the humid, expended air that the evaporator draws out from the home. Be sure that your unit fits with the size of your home for maximum savings.

Two-Stage Compressors

It’s the compressors of an air conditioning unit that typically uses the most electricity. Compressors have to work hard to squeeze out the heated vapors so that the refrigerant returns to its cooled state. Two-stage compressors automatically compress less on cool days and more when it’s hot, saving energy.

Programmable Thermostats

Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the most affordable ways and one of the easiest ways to green up an air conditioning system. Homeowners can program the thermostat to remain off when no one is at home and to automatically turn on and cool the home for the household’s return.

Regular Maintenance

HVAC professionals should inspect and service air conditioning units at least once each year. Maintenance includes testing refrigerant pressure, accessing the unit’s air flow and checking for leaks. HVAC specialist may also recommend modifications to increase the system’s energy efficiency. By doing routine maintenance you can save yourself money and help out the planet at the same time!

 

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Featured Home Decor

Designing for the Senses

Successful interior decorating takes into account the entire human experience. A great way to personalize your house and make it a home is to incorporate some of the five senses. Here are some tips on incorporating sound, sight, smell and touch into your home.

Sound

Music can fill a home with happy memories, moments of joy, and soothing tranquility. A happy home is often filled with music that moves the soul and soothes the nerves.  Make an at-home tranquility fountain and place in your living room or visit your local thrift shop and find some soothing music on CDs.

Sight

The eye likes to see visually pleasing things, which is why we strive to have a visually pleasing home.  It is personal preference which colors and textures you like some will prefer neutrals and some will prefer vibrant colors.  An easy way to please the eye is to paint your rooms or paint an accent wall. Try and use  an eco-friendly wall paint.

Smell

Pleasant scents are always preferable over those that might not smell so pleasant. So indulge yourself and your home with pleasant scents. Depending on the room, depends on the scent. If you want your bedroom to have a romantic feel, use lavender. Make your own air fresheners for your house (read about the dangers of commercial air fresheners and how to make your own here.)

Touch

Fill your home with eco-friendly fabrics and upholsteries that comfort you. Shop at secondhand stores or at thrift shops for gently used furniture. When shopping for fabrics or upholstered furniture run your hands across the surface. Ask yourself “How does it feel?” and “How does it make me feel”.  Also mix and match different textures together such as hardwood floors with a silky rug.

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Eco Tips Furnishings Home Design Home Improvement

The Easiest Way to Conserve Water and Save Money

With a lot of the country in a serious drought (Kansas, Texas, Nebraska just to name a few), it is nice to know that the average consumer can make a difference saving water and money by just switching their showerhead! When you get a low-flow showerhead you are able to save you and your family some money and a lot of water.

The average American uses about 2,500 cubic feet of water every year, that’s the equivalence of about an Olympic sized swimming pool!  A typical shower uses up to 25 gallons of water and on average the typical American uses about 100 gallons of water daily (this number can change depending on the length of the shower.)

A low-flow shower head has the ability to cut your bathing water consumption by up to 70%. According to the EPA by “letting your faucet run for five minutes uses as much energy as it takes to keep a 60-watt light bulb lit for 14 hours.” Just by switching your shower head to a low-flow model you can save a lot over the course of a year:

  • With a traditional, 2.5gpm showerhead, you’ll use 5,250 gallons of water on showering in one year.
  • With a 1.5gpm, low-flow showerhead, you’ll use 3,150 gallons of water over the course of one year.

(Remember these numbers are an estimate and are based on a single person household, these numbers can double and triple depending on the amount of people in your home.)

Low-flow showerheads are super simple to install and start around $10. There are so many styles and variations you can choose from, there is bound to be something that you end up loving. For instance some models have “flow-adjusting dials and a pause button, which allows you to break for a bit of lathering up, then return to the same temperature and pressure.” If you are looking for a simple way to improve your water consumption and help reduce your water footprint, it’s time to take a trip to your local home improvement store!

Sources: lowflowshowerheads.org, (http://lowflowshowerheads.info/water-saving-stats/), hometips.org, (http://www.hometips.com/buying-guides/showerheads-low-flow.html).

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By Topic Home Decor

Where to Find Eco-Friendly Beverage Glasses

Handmade in Colombia of recycled glass from old car windows, these eco-friendly stemless beverage glasses are super sturdy and make great conversation pieces. The thick glass also has a slight green hue from the tint originally added to lessen the sun’s glare.

The best part of owning a set of these glasses? They are dishwasher safe, which is a big bonus. Who doesn’t dread hand washing all those delicate wine glasses after a big cocktail party?!

The texture of each glass differs due to the hand-crafted process. Air bubbles and small “imperfections” add distinct charm and character. Purchase recycled car window glasses at Uncommon Goods: http://tinyurl.com/2atam8m

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Articles Home Decor Recycling

3 Great Ways to Recycle Wine Bottles

Most of us have played the role of party host and then noticed an array of empty wine bottles left around the house in the aftermath. Sure, you can toss the bottles into a blue recycling bin, but how about getting a little creative? Here are three fun ways you can get the most out of those empty wine bottles after the toast:

  • Cut a small circular hole about a half inch wide in the bottom of the bottle with a glass cutter, fill with a short strand of Christmas lights, put the cork back in the top, and add some raffia to create a unique lighting solution for the top of your wine cabinet or bar area.
  • Use angled cuts on bottles with a glass cutter to create an eco-friendly vase for flowers or vines.
  • Look online or ask your local wine boutique if they sell forged iron wine bottle candelabras. Wisteria.com and WineEnthusiast.com both sell wine bottle candelabras that can be inserted right into the neck of the empty bottle.
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By Topic Home Improvement

Green Materials to Use for Home Improvement

In need of a new look for the inside of your home? Widespread concern regarding pollution and the conservation of natural resources has prompted more homeowners to consider greener ideas and environmentally friendly materials.

Install Bamboo Floors. Most people think bamboo is wood, but bamboo is actually a grass … and one that grows quickly, within three to five years to be precise. This means bamboo is a good renewable resource. Most bamboo is grown and harvested in either Hawaii or China. Bamboo is resilient and comes in a variety of colors and shades.

Use Reclaimed Wood. Reclaimed or salvaged lumber can be used to build walls, as support beams or even in roof construction. Instead of dumping previously used lumber into a landfill, it can be put back into new construction projects.

Choose Low or Zero VOC Paint. A new coat of paint can transform the look of an old room into an exciting new space. However, most paints contain harmful volatile organic compounds that contribute to air pollution, smog and respiratory problems. By choosing low VOC paint, you can help reduce the volatile organic compounds in the air and still have a beautiful, freshly painted room.