Five Questions for Going Green at Home

www.pittsburghcustomhomes.com — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re in the market for a new home and are firmly strapped on to the green bandwagon you might want to consider incorporating the following questions into your repertoire when talking to builders, brokers, and agents. 1.What are the green features that you have in your basic homes? Can you explain each of them to me?2.What features are you using to consider our dwindling supply of natural resources when building this home?3.What types of native drought-tolerant plants and high efficiency drip irrigation systems are you using on the homes so that I will not have to spend as much money maintaining my landscape?4.What considerations were used to make this home energy efficient? 5.What features are you using to maintain good indoor air quality in this home?And should you want to stay in your current home but amp it up in green standards, you should make a personal checklist to ask yourself the following questions when it comes time to decide on which products to use: 1.Will this product make my home more energy efficient and/or comfortable? 2.Will this product save water? 3.Is this product safe for my family when I use it or after it is installed (or will it off-gas harmful chemicals)? 4.Is this product durable so I won’t have to keep replacing or repairing it frequently? 5.Is this product made from recycled materials and was it manufactured in an environmentally-friendly way?

Consider Eco-Friendly Options for Your New Home

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:14:06 +0000

In the last ten years, the “Go Green” movement has taken off, leading all different industries to consider ways to improve their energy efficiency. This has become such a focus within our society because of dwindling energy resources and the detrimental effects of our industrial world on the environment. The home building market has seen a recent shift towards eco-friendly practices such as using natural building materials, alternate sources of energy, and energy efficient appliances. These changes not only reduce your personal carbon footprint, but, in many cases, save money.Many homes today are made from man-made products such as vinyl siding and artificial hardwood floors. These materials usually create much more pollution during production than it takes to harvest natural materials. Sometimes toxic materials that make up these products have harmful affects on the people and animals that come in contact with them. Many construction companies now offer the use of recycled materials such as natural fiber insulation. Opting for natural wood for flooring and paneling is eco-friendly and creates a classic, natural look. You can also find a range of furniture and decorative items that are made with natural and recycled material. Many of the commonly used synthetic products found in household items are also known to burn faster in a fire than natural materials.Another easy way to reduce your carbon footprint is by stocking your new home with Energy Star products. The Environmental Protection Agency has established a system for rating the energy efficiency of household items such as appliances, electronics, and washers and dryers. Products that meet stringent test guidelines are awarded the Energy Star label. These items are usually competitively priced, and ones that are more expensive than average must make up the extra cost in energy savings within a reasonable time period. Incorporating these products into your home saves money on electricity and utility bills and allows you to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Pittsburgh Custom Homes » Environmental Options

Five Questions for Going Green at Home

Consider Eco-Friendly Options for Your New Home