Feel like making some changes around the house? Why not consider the environment (as well as your health) when doing so?
Marissa Ponikowski at HGTV.ca’s Green site tells us how to go about this with some important considerations:
Sustainable Materials
Sustainable building and furnishing materials are made from renewable or recycled materials and their harvest and manufacture has less impact on the earth than their non-renewable counterparts. Important criteria to keep in mind when searching for eco-friendly materials to build with:
* Plentiful or renewable – Certain materials, including certified sustainable wood or bamboo, are harvested from sustainably managed sources. Ask your contractor to source out these materials for you. If you’re doing it yourself, ask about bamboo and sustainable wood products at your local building supply store. These products are now going mainstream and are widely available across the country.
* Resource efficient manufacturing – Some products are manufactured with resource efficiency in mind. These processes involve low energy consumption, waste consciousness and green house gas reduction. Look for a special certification label on the product or ask your contractor or material supplier to help you find resource efficient materials.
* Local availability – Using building materials, components and systems that can be found locally save transportation resources and energy, thus minimizing the ‘carbon footprint’ associated with their installation. Finding products that don’t need to be ordered in from another country can be as simple as looking to small, local suppliers rather than international hardware chains for your building materials. When shopping at a large chain, be specific about the type of product you want.
* Salvaged or refurbished – Find materials that have been repaired, restored or saved from another renovation project. Salvage yards and antique stores are a great resource when hunting for used building materials and fixtures.
* Reusable and recyclable – Choosing products that are recyclable or can be easily dismantled and reused adds to their sustainable value.
* Durability – Choosing high quality, durable products means they’ll last longer – and are less likely to end up in the landfill!
Air Quality Control
The quality of the air you breathe is directly related to your health so it’s very important to choose products that don’t release toxins into your indoor air. There is less pollution and environmental impact associated with low or non-toxic building and décor products, so these are always a wise choice. Indoor air quality can be enhanced by using materials that are made with:
* Low chemical emissions – these products emit few or no carcinogens or irritants into the air. Look for low or no-VOC paints and finishes, which are now available from most major paint manufacturers, including Benjamin Moore. Choose solid wood rather than particle board when purchasing furniture - particle board chips are bound together using VOC off-gassing chemicals. Purchase wool carpets rather than synthetic and be sure the fibres are woven or affixed with non-toxic glue, too.
* Low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) assembly – these products are manufactured and installed using little or no VOC-producing compounds. Look for a special certification label or ask your contractor or supplier.
* Moisture resistance – choosing products and systems that are moisture resistant means biological contaminants and bacteria won’t grow in your home.
* Healthy maintenance – look for materials and furniture that are easy to clean and require only very simple, low-VOC and non-toxic cleaning products to maintain.
Lighting
Plan your lighting installations to save energy and the environment by:
* Choosing fluorescent lights and infra-red motion detector light switchers in bathrooms, hallways and storage areas. Use infra-red motion detector lights outdoors as well.
* Installing dimmers instead of regular light switches.
* Planning your addition or renovation to make as much use of natural light as you can. Use energy-efficient windows that let in as much natural light as possible.
Energy Efficient Appliances and Accessories
These days, it simply doesn’t make sense to purchase appliances that aren’t energy efficient. Look for appliances with the Energy Star label – many municipalities even offer a cash rebate for purchasing Energy Star washing machines and dishwashers. When purchasing and installing new appliances, keep the following in mind:
* Manual defrost refrigerators are generally more energy efficient than automatic defrost models.
* Oversize units are generally less energy efficient than smaller models, especially when it comes to refrigerators and dishwashers.
* When placing a refrigerator, be sure not to position it near the stove since it will have to use more energy to cool itself down when the oven is on.
