go full speed ahead and floor it without green
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5C O L D W E L L B A N K E R R E S I D E N T I A L B R O K E R A G E |
Living eco-friendly doesn’t have to be complicated.
Some of the easiest and most efficient ecological
solutions are right under your nose – or above
your head – take the sun, for instance. This
limitless ball of brilliant energy looming large
overhead is one renewable resource just waiting
to be tapped for its abundance. And Mother
Earth never disappoints by providing us with
many natural offerings that don’t need to sap
the unsustainable. Here are a few favorite ways
to get the most from what is plentiful while still
giving back to the environment.
Soak Up the Sun
Capture the potency of sunrays inside solar panels
to generate star power – it’s the cleaner, greener
choice over more conventional forms of energy.
Today, new innovations in panel designs offer more
aesthetic options like solar shingles that mimic
traditional ones. The sun’s strength is significant.
Incorporating solar alternatives into your home affords
you the satisfaction of contributing to the health of
our planet. Harnessing its powerful rays, instead of
relying on fossil fuels, helps reduce toxins, which
positively impacts all living things. Plus, expect to reap
the reward of cost savings. If all these illuminating
insights have you charged up, then go solar and
bask in the light of the sun.
Water Down
Consider some of these simple measures for
conserving water every day. Turn off the faucet
until you’re ready to rinse while washing your face
and hands or brushing teeth – it’s money, quite
literally, down the drain. Use double-basin sinks as
intended. Fill one side with soapy water, the other
with clean water – wash, rinse, repeat, conserve.
Use ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and run
only full dishwasher and washer loads. Go low flow
while showering with water-saving showerheads and
reduce the time spent getting wet. Replace older
toilets with modern money-saving ones that use far
less water. Finally, capture rainwater and use it in
the garden – it’s an easy answer to drought and a
free water resource that’s heaven sent.
Groundbreakers
Go fu l l speed ahead and f loor i t w i thout
consequence when you use renewable resources
such as cork, bamboo and linoleum underfoot.
These materials make for excellent flooring options
and don’t wreak havoc on the environment. Cork
doesn’t require cutting down the cork oak tree from
which it is harvested, the bark grows back every
three years. It has anti-microbial properties, acts
as an insect repellant and is fire retardant. Bamboo
is a grass with similar properties of hardwood. It’s
super durable, easy to install and renews in just
three to five years. And making a comeback with
a new floor show in exciting patterns and colors is
linoleum. It’s a natural material consisting of linseed
oil, cork dust, tree resins, wood flour, pigments
and ground limestone. Fire-retardant and water-
resistant, it’s a perfect choice for rooms with a lot
of traffic. Another eco-friendly option for floors is
glass tiles. Recycled from bottles rescued from
landfills, glass is an easy-to-maintain nonstaining
surface that dazzles. And let’s not leave out popular
polished concrete, recycled rubber and reclaimed
wood. All are great flooring choices that lay the
groundwork for responsible homeownership.
Charge It
Street smarts drive this idea home: Plug your
energy-efficient electric vehicle into your personal
charging station to save money and save the
atmosphere from exhaust emissions. It’s a
convenient way to be sure you have enough
power for your commute if public charging stations
aren’t nearby. Keep greenhouse gases down even
more by using renewable resources to recharge
your charging station – now that’s revving up
environmental responsibility to a whole new level.
Today, living green is easier than ever. Consider
sustainable resources whenever possible and use
energy efficiently and wisely. Try to adopt one or
more of these forward-thinking influences – the
effects are meaningful and contribute to the
common good.
Bringing in Eco-Smart Options You Can Live With
the Green By Tracy Ellison