Going Green Tips – Turn Your Home Into A Green Home
There are many things that can be done to convert standard construction homes into eco homes. So don’t worry, no matter the age of your home, you can convert it into an eco-friendly home without having to tear it down and start from scratch.
One of the benefits of converting standard houses into eco homes is the improvement of air quality. In the last few decades we have been building increasingly more energy efficient homes. While this is a good thing, the increased standards of insulation and the ability to have airtight homes has increased the levels of humidity associated with indoor air. Consequently, moist air draws in harmful chemical vapors from insulation, carpeting, furniture, paint, padding, solvents, and a range of construction materials.
To turn these afflicted homes into eco homes, you need to start by testing the indoor air quality of the home. This can be done very inexpensively with a number of different testing kits. The air test will help you to identify the containments in the home. Once identified, you can look for their source and begin replacing them with healthier, greener, alternative building materials. You can find out about preferred green building materials at sites like BuildingGreen.com, where they offer specs on over 2,000 alternative building products for eco homes.
The conversion of common homes into eco homes can also be achieved through modifications to the outside. For example, it is a very widespread practice to use pressure treated lumber when building exterior structures like fencing and decking. Did you know that pressure treated lumber contains a form of cyanide introduced into the wood in order to prevent attacks from bugs and pests? This cyanide substance can cause severe skin irritation, rashes, and infection. A green alternative to pressure treated lumber is cedar, which is naturally resistant to bugs and pests.
There are lots of simple ways to convert standard homes into eco friendly homes. You can begin with something as simple as changing the light bulbs from incandescent to the compact fluorescents we have seen and heard so much about. You can also conserve water in eco-friendly homes by converting toilets and showerheads. By swapping your standard toilets and showerheads to water-saving devices like pressurized low-flow units, you can conserve hundreds of liters of water per year. Also, consider retaining rainwater to use for things like irrigating the garden and watering the lawn. Cease using chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the lawn and in the garden. There are a wide variety of green alternatives for gardening that deliver results just as well or better than commercial chemicals.
If you are handy around the home, there are lots of projects you can undertake to convert standard construction homes into eco homes. This can range from building backyard compost heaps to using alternative materials for repairs. Consider installing solar panels for energy conversion or solar heaters for hot water. Converting standard construction homes into eco homes can be a challenging and extremely rewarding project for any handyperson.
If you are less handy, consider the option of hiring contractors with a background in green construction, green repair, and green maintenance. More and more home improvement contractors and repairmen are becoming versed at working with eco homes, as we turn the tide to more earth-friendly construction and repair.
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Green Living Editor
