Sustainable Living

As energy prices continue to rise, it’s more important than ever for homeowners to take charge of their energy bills with energy efficient home upgrades. By installing energy efficient windows and appliances, or investing in solar power and water-saving technology, homeowners can slash energy bills and create a more eco-friendly home.

Green roofs (also known as "living roofs") have become increasingly more common in recent years. They're essentially when you build a garden on top of a roof. They not only pretty nice to look at, but also great for the environment too. Some cities have even offered tax incentives to encourage homeowners and business owners to implement green roofs at home and on their commercial buildings. 

A perfect lawn requires an investment of both time and money. In drought-prone areas, a green, thick lawn may require frequent watering sessions. In all climates, it will need to be mowed and weeded without damaging the grass.

Rainwater harvesting can be a great way to lower your water bill, as the natural precipitation can be used for different purposes. The upfront costs of a rainwater catchment system vary, depending on the amount of water you want to store and its intended uses. The simplest type of catchment system involves purchasing a rain barrel and connecting it to the existing gutter system with tubing or additional downspouts.

Household cleaning products can do away with dirt and grime, but people are now becoming more aware of what some of these cleaners might be leaving behind. A report on household hazards by Women’s Voices for the Earth suggests that chemicals commonly used in disinfectants may be linked to an increase in asthma among cleaning professionals and children.

Modular or “prefab” homes have become more popular in recent years. Visually stunning, these dwellings have become a favorite subject for the publishers of architecture and design magazines. Prefab homes also have attractive qualities. The elements that comprise these state-of-the-art houses are mass produced, allowing builders to save on construction costs. Because of their small size and enclosed design, prefab units are much more energy efficient than brick and mortar homes.

As the gardening and landscaping season approaches, horticulturists, home gardeners and farmers are starting to prepare for a successful growing season.

Watering is one of the biggest challenges for growers of all types and skill levels. Excessive water can drown plants and permanently damage their roots, while too little moisture can stunt their growth. Other factors, such as soil type, plant species, and evaporation speed can further complicate matters.

Planting trees can be useful for more than just landscaping aesthetics. The sun’s heat can increase cooling costs during the summertime, and strategically placed trees can block the most powerful rays from shining directly on your roof or through your windows. Unfortunately, reducing solar heat gain inside of a home is not quite as simple as planting new trees or letting current ones reach maturity. The U.S.

When an insect or animal is destroying a garden or wreaking havoc on a lawn, potent chemical pesticides might seem like the obvious tool for dealing with the problem. But are they absolutely necessary? Non-chemical alternatives exist for most pesticides.

When applied properly, many of these natural pest killers are reasonably effective, without being as potentially toxic as their synthetic peers.

“Fair trade” is a common term that people encounter in places like coffee shops, supermarkets, and boutique clothing stores. Most consumers probably associate this label with good working conditions where the product was grown or produced. Workers’ rights are indeed an integral part of the fair trade movement, but there is much more to it than that.

Tankless water heaters are one of the newer tools for creating a more energy efficient home. Unlike standard units, which continuously heat and reheat water so that it is always hot, tankless heaters generate water warm instantly with high-powered gas burners or electric coils. Yes, this instant heating requires more power, but because the water does not have to be reheated again and again, like in a standard “tank” model, tankless systems use less energy overall.