Recycle Non-Wearable Clothing and Shoes

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Joyce Benson    |    1 Comment
Tag(s): Going Green, Green Cleaning, Greening the Home, Recycling

To start off the new year right, you may be cleaning out your closets to make room for new holiday gifts of clothing and shoes.  Likely, you have a pile of old pieces that are still useable, but some are probably not wearable any longer.  It’s easy to donate your wearable clothing to local thrift stores, consignment shops and bins put out by non-profit organizations in shopping center parking lots.  But, what do you do with the worn out items?  By donating, you’ll help divert the billions of pounds of textiles clogging our landfills.

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Eco-friendly Interior Doors, Part I

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Joyce Benson    |    Add a Comment
Tag(s): Greening the Home, Reclaimed Materials

Whether you’re building new, or simply replacing common, cheap and, likely, damaged hollow-core doors in your existing home, there are green options to consider.  Whether your home’s style is contemporary or traditional, you can add instant character by adding solid-wood interior doors made from reclaimed wood, FSC-certified wood, recycled content or rapidly renewable resources.   A great resource for antique/old doors in need of restoration is architectural salvage yards, where refinishing is sometimes an option.

Here’s more about reclaimed wood doors:

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High Cost Heating Bills Make Renewable Energy More Attractive

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Joyce Benson    |    1 Comment
Tag(s): Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions / Global Warming, Greening the Home

If high-cost heating and electric bills are making this winter unbearable for you this winter, perhaps it’s time to consider clean, renewable energy options.  It’s a perfect time, since generous state and federal tax credits, rebates, grants, and loan programs are available for those who install solar energy systems, small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems.

These systems significantly reduce your fuel and electricity bills, as well as the amount of air pollution and greenhouse gases that result from your use of fossil fuels (oil, propane and natural gas), or from generating electricity.  (Half of the electricity generated in the USA is by burning dirty coal).

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Green Kitchen and Bath Makeovers, Part IV

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Joyce Benson    |    Add a Comment
Tag(s): Greening the Home, Kitchens And Baths

So far, I’ve written about easy green makeover ideas, energy- and water-saving tips, and eco-friendly countertop options. In this post, we’ll explore the ever-growing choices for stylish and functional flooring in the kitchen and/or bathroom.  Can you guess which type of flooring is shown here?  Wood?  Cork?  Linoleum?  Tile?

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Tips to Maintain Good Indoor Air Quality this Winter

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Joyce Benson    |    1 Comment
Tag(s): For Kids, Greening the Home, Hazardous Products / Health Issues

Winter may be a great time to “hibernate”, but if the air inside your home isn’t up to par, then it’s time to follow some tips to improve and maintain the quality of the air you breath.  These tips will be especially helpful for sufferers of asthma, children and the elderly, but of course all members of the household will benefit from cleaner air!  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is typically more polluted than the air outside.  “Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.”

Reduce indoor contaminants by:

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Save Energy and Money This Winter

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Joyce Benson    |    1 Comment
Tag(s): Energy, Greening the Home, Money Saving

It’s easy to increase your home’s energy efficiency and comfort, while reducing your heating bills this winter.  All around the house, there are ways to increase the “cozy quotient”, take the “chill out of the air” and save money on your energy bills. Plus, you’ll enjoy current Federal Tax Credits for many improvements.

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Increase the Efficiency of Your Existing Fireplace

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Joyce Benson    |    1 Comment
Tag(s): Energy, Greening the Home

A roaring fireplace definitely seems warm and inviting on cold winter nights, but many older fireplaces are only 10% efficient! How does improved comfort, energy conservation, reduced energy costs, reduced noise, and improved indoor air quality sound? Here are some tips to increase your fireplace’s efficiency:

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Green Kitchen and Bath Makeovers, Part III

Posted on December 8, 2009 by Joyce Benson    |    2 Comments
Tag(s): Green Furnishings, Kitchens And Baths

If you’re looking for a quick fix to spruce up your kitchen or bath, check out my previous post, Part I of this series.  For information on saving energy and water with new appliances and cool gadgets, click here to see Part II.  In the remaining posts for this series, I’ll delve into options for more substantial replacement items such as countertops, cabinetry and flooring.  It’s getting easier to integrate some of the many greener options that will modernize your kitchen or bath with style.

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Energy Efficient LED Holiday Lighting

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Joyce Benson    |    1 Comment
Tag(s): Energy, Greening the Home, The Great Green Outdoors

Looking for a way to brighten up both the interior and exterior of your home for the holidays without running up your electricity bill?  Super efficient LEDs, or Light Emitting Diodes, are the answer!  LEDs use 80-90% less energy than conventional incandescent lighting, plus they don’t heat up like incandescents.  In addition, they last much longer, for decades in fact! 

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Tax Credits for Efficient Wood-burning and Pellet Stoves

Posted on November 14, 2009 by Joyce Benson    |    Add a Comment
Tag(s): Energy, Greening the Home

Not only will adding a new, clean-burning wood or pellet stove keep your home warm and toasty this winter, but efficient models will qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $1500!  A new stove can provide your home’s primary source of heat, or simply supplement it, and of course it’ll add ambiance to any living space.  Here, we’ll explore the benefits of both types.

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