Lighting the Way with LEDs

Posted on November 6, 2008 by joyceb
Tag(s): Energy, Greening the Home
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A few months ago, I wrote a post about the wonders of LED lighting.  This morning I came across Treehugger’s post about the next generation of LEDs that will hit the market in a few months.  A bit funky, but the intentional designs have a purpose — even longer lifespan and improved light quality.

Eco-friendly Slate Roof Series, Part II

Posted on November 6, 2008 by joyceb
Tag(s): Going Green
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From recycled tires and car bumpers to scrap rubber and plastic, synthetic ’slate’ is a sustainable roofing option that looks like the real thing. Lighter and easier to install than authentic slate, these low-maintenance roofing slates are also non-breakable with the color going all the way through the product. Class-A fire ratings and 50-year warranties are commonly available for these enduring products.

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Composting 101

Posted on November 5, 2008 by joyceb
Tag(s): Food, Money Saving, Reclaimed Materials, The Great Green Outdoors
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If you’re looking for a nutrient-rich supplement for your landscape plants, and you’d like to reduce the amount of trash you’re sending to the landfill, composting provides the perfect solution. Nearly a quarter of the solid waste stream ending up in landfills is comprised of yard trimmings and food residuals. Composting begins with yard waste, including the millions of leaves you’ve been raking up lately, as well as kitchen scraps, that when combined and tended to properly will result in what gardening gurus dub black gold, and it’s free!

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Creative Uses for Campaign Litter

Posted on November 5, 2008 by joyceb
Tag(s): Events, Reclaimed Materials, Recycling
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The Grist has some ingenious ideas of what to do with all that campaign litter now that Obama has been elected President of the United States. Pictured here is old campaign signs used as temporary flooring on a stairway in Houston.

Got Termites?

Posted on November 5, 2008 by joyceb
Tag(s): Going Green
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If you’ve got them, you want to get rid of them! Termites feed on wood and may eventually cause structural damage to a home or building. Subterranean termites attack wood from underneath the ground and drywood termites attack undecayed wood from the surface. What to look for: mud tubes leading to a wood source (from subterranean termites); drywood termite swarms in springtime; termite wings that have been shed in window sills, cobwebs, and other surfaces in your home; powdery fecal pellets (from drywood termites); hollow-sounding wood.

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Utah Consumers To Attend Green Building Trade Show

Posted on November 5, 2008 by joyceb
Tag(s): Events, Green Building, Green Living
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If you happen to be visiting the quaint town of Park City, Utah this weekend to do some skiing, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living, green financing, and alternative fuel vehicles at the Green Building Consumer Trade Show. The event will feature more than 40 exhibits including solar hot water, photovoltaics, tankless water heaters, reclaimed & sustainable hardwoods, Energy Star windows, and information on tax incentives and rebates.

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Eco-friendly Slate Roof Series, Part I

Posted on November 5, 2008 by joyceb
Tag(s): Green Building, Reclaimed Materials, The Great Green Outdoors
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Whether you’re building new and seeking instant character, or restoring a historic home, there are several eco-friendly options to achieve the distinguished appearance of a slate roof.

• Reclaimed or salvaged slate
• Recycled rubber ’slate’
• Recycled metal ’slate’ shingles
• Clay ’slate’ tile

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Welcome Wildlife into your Yard this Winter

Posted on November 4, 2008 by joyceb
Tag(s): The Great Green Outdoors
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The snow-covered landscape may look dreamy from a vantage point inside a warm home where food and drink are easy to come by, but for wildlife, winter is all about survival. I came across some great tips from Sustainablog to help out our furry friends who add a necessary element to the environment.

photo by John Haslam

Chapel Hill, NC is home to New Luxury Green Community

Posted on November 4, 2008 by joyceb
Tag(s): Green Building
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Nestled amongst 57 acres of open space and woodlands just outside of Chapel Hill, NC is a new eco-minded neighborhood. Eighteen Energy Star and GBI certified homes tout countless features that increase energy efficiency, conserve water, and improve indoor air quality.

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Relax by Candlelight Naturally

Posted on November 4, 2008 by joyceb
Tag(s): Bed and Bath, Gift Ideas, Greening the Home
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After recommending soy-based candles in my last post about eco-chic bathrooms, I thought I would talk about them in more detail here. Soy-based candles come in a variety of aromas and create a soothing ambiance just as conventional, paraffin candles do, yet there are some key differences between the two.

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