For a while now I have wanted to write a series of articles on the latest green products for your home. One of my desires is to get the word out to folks far and wide so when it comes time to make renovations there is information available to make decisions with the least negative effect on our environment and our own health. I plan on putting these products in my own home right along with you.
Every object you own — your furniture, your clothing, your beer cans, your stuff — comes from somewhere; every object has an environmental impact. Nothing simply comes from “the store.”
You Have Power
The truth is that everything single thing we do every day has an impact on the planet — good or bad. The good news is that as an individual you have the power to control most of your choices and, therefore, the impact you create: from where you live to what you buy, eat, and use to light your home to where and how you vacation, to how you shop or vote, you have global impact. What you do makes a big difference.
What’s In It For You?
Everything is connected. That’s why the decisions we make, and the things we do, are so important. Being green is not just a trendy thing to do, it’s a way of helping assure a healthy sustainable future. However, here are some tangible reasons to ‘”go green.”
Increase Your Home’s Value
Making energy-efficient home improvements increases your home’s value. Whether your opt for energy-saving showers and toilets or make larger investments such as solar panels or wind-powered instruments, creating an eco-friendly house increases your home’s value.
Decreased Utility Usage
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency reports that choosing green alternatives such energy-saving doors, windows and light bulbs, reduces the amount of electricity used lowering your bill up to 15 percent.
According to Scripps Networks, toilets built before 1982 use five to seven gallons of water per flush. Energy-efficient toilets only use a little more than a gallon of water per flush.
Where To Begin
Renovations using sustainable practices are important. Indoor air quality, sustainable materials, water efficiency, and energy savings will provide long-term cost savings, comfort, peace of mind and safety.
In upcoming articles I plan to interview field professionals for their recommendation on flooring, cabinets, countertops, water heaters, appliances, and technology leaders for smart home products.
Follow along with me and learn as I learn about green living.
Please contact Los Alamos Interior Designer Suzette Fox to suggest specific design topics or for help with your home. For more information, find her on Facebook at facebook.com/SuzetteFoxInteriorDesign and on her website www.suzettefoxinteriors.com