More on Green Homes

As I've said in previous posts, I am a crazy-serious recycler. No, not a granola or a tree-hugger but I just try to do my part to conserve.

In home-building, some of the meanings of green are:

- using local products (reducing the transportation costs and emissions)

- re-using old materials removed during a remodel-this can mean just donating them to a re-use center

- using materials made with limited use of chemicals such as formaldehyde or VOC's

- installing Energy Star-rated appliances

- maximizing natural lighting, heating & cooling thru skylights, shutters, window coatings and natural plants

We installed a programmable thermostat a couple years ago - it cost around $50 and I did it myself. I have read that programmable thermostats can save around $130 per year. I may not be a rocket scientist but that's some easy math!

Bottom line, it's not hard to do something and there's unlimited choices, not all are expensive, difficult or involve painful sacrifice. Just do something!