Tips to make your home eco-friendly on EasyLiving Front Range Colorado

Contrary to Kermit the Frog, it really is easy to be green, particularly when it means taking steps to make your home eco-friendly. With a little long-range planning and commitment to the mindful maintenance of your home, you’ll find yourself living in a more healthful environment that benefits everyone. And since we live in the Front Range of sunny Colorado, there are many resources available to promote green living.

In your home, becoming green can be approached in various degrees. One of the first steps is to think about resource efficiency. It’s more than just purchasing energy-efficient appliances, it’s also about examining how and when you use them. Second, determine if you can create an indoor environment from health-promoting materials.

Julie Herman, executive director of the Boulder Green Building Guild recommends an energy audit on your home to examine resource efficiency. The audit can be conducted by private companies or public entities, depending on where you live and your financial resources. The purpose of the audit is to determine if your home is as energy efficient as it can be. For example, one of the first things an audit will look at is insulation. Is air leaking out of your house? If so, can it be fixed? The audit will also help you prioritize where you can get your “biggest bang for the buck” in terms of energy efficiency and cost savings.

One easy, quick fix is the switch from incandescent to fluorescent lighting. While it may be initially more expensive to purchase these light bulbs, they use 75 percent less energy and you will see payback quickly. Before you make the switch, be sure your current fixtures, such as dimmers, are compatible with the new bulbs. The good news is, manufacturers are developing new lighting fixtures that are aesthetically pleasing and work well with these energy-saving bulbs.

In the kitchen or laundry room, when you replace appliances, look at the energy star rating, advises Margie McCulloch of Red Pepper Kitchen and Bath in Boulder. Specifically, look for dishwashers and washers that heat their own water, instead of pulling from the main hot water tanks. Front loaders use much less water. Another important consideration is dual-flush toilets, which reduce water consumption. Showers that have a thermostatic valve maintain water temperature and allow minimal use of water.

“Remember, what’s good for environment is good for the world at large,” says McCulloch, “and the little world inside your house.”

Is it time to replace your flooring? Then you may want to consider more healthy, renewable resources. While some green builders recommend bamboo flooring because of the sleek look and its advantage to the earth as a renewable resource, others question the use of bamboo because of the total energy consumed to harvest the plants and ship the product from China. Other flooring alternatives could include carpets made of recycled materials, natural fibers such as wool, ceramic tile or recycled linoleum sheets. Remember to pay attention to the type of glue used on the backing and installation of the floor materials. Products with urea-based formaldehyde may produce toxic gases. Be sure to use paints, wallboards and insulation that don’t utilize volatile organic compounds, another potential health hazard. Water-based floor finishes are a more healthy sealant for hardwood floors.

While replacing old windows with energy-efficient thermal versions is your best choice, not everyone can afford the upgrade. If you are not ready to make the long-term commitment, simple solutions like caulking and plugging cracks can cut down on energy loss. Of course, it is critical to make sure new windows maximize daylight so you don’t have to use artificial light during the day. Skylights or solar tubes are another energy-efficient alternative to add natural light. Herman believes that as more consumers demand energy-saving windows, costs will decrease. She advises consumers to look at reused and recycled yards for great deals on slightly used green products.

More communities, such as the city and county of Boulder, have instituted programs that require incorporation of green building in order to get a permit for renovation. To find contractors that are informed on the local requirements for building or renovations, visit www. BGBG.org. Other Colorado resources include Built Green Colorado www.builtgreen.org, ReSource: www.resourceyard.org and the U.S. Green Building Council Colorado Chapter: http://chapters.usgbc.org/colorado/.

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