Going Green Home Products
Lowering monthly heating and cooling bills, decreasing energy use and creating a healthier environment are all part of going green. Additionally, you can lower greenhouse gases, associated with climate change, by selecting energy efficient home products. The result is increased health and increased savings for you and a cleaner planet for everyone.
Lighting
Keeping your home lit may not seem like a big job. Light bulbs are small, readily available and relatively inexpensive. However, when the conventional light bulb is compared to an energy efficient type, the difference can be illuminating. A CFL, or compact fluorescent light, is a perfect example of savings, energy efficiency and quality. The CFL can save the average user up to $40.00 over its lifetime. It lasts 10 times longer and uses 75 percent less energy than a conventional bulb. To top it off, the CFL produces 75 percent less heat, making it safer and less demanding on home cooling systems.
Cleaning Products
Selecting green cleaning products is of utmost importance to having a green home. From window cleaners to floor cleaners, there is a huge range of products to choose from. Often advertising claims are confusing or downright deceptive. The EPA addresses this issue by attaching a label called "Design for the Environment" (DfE) to products that maintain a quality performance and benefit the environment. Many name brands are available to the public. There are some available by catalog mail order or Internet order, as well as some available in retail stores. There are environmentally conscious dish and hand soaps, carpet shampoos and toilet cleaners, as well. Keep in mind that the label is key to determining a green product as a particular brand may sell both green and non-green products.
Shower Heads and Faucets
Conserving water not only lowers your water bill, but also affects the amount of energy needed to transport and to clean water and to process waste. Probably the easiest way to save a significant amount of water usage in your home is if you purchase a low-flow shower head. Look for 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or lower. Low-flow shower heads come in two distinct styles. Aerating shower heads mix air and water to form a mist-type spray, while laminar shower heads produce streams of water. The kitchen faucet can be equipped with an aerator at 2.2 gpm. Aerators for bathroom faucets can restrict water flow to as low as 0.5 gpm.
Appliances
The Energy Star label on a washing machine ensures significant water savings. Machines that have an efficient spin cycle extract more water from wet clothes, which will also save time in the dryer. An energy efficient dishwasher will save water and energy -- and both compact and standard capacity dishwashers are available. The option to alternate between long and short cycles is convenient, too. A booster heater increases the temperature of water entering energy efficient dishwashers to recommended levels for cleaning. Save money over time by using the booster heater option and lowering your overall water heater temperature.
Lighting
Keeping your home lit may not seem like a big job. Light bulbs are small, readily available and relatively inexpensive. However, when the conventional light bulb is compared to an energy efficient type, the difference can be illuminating. A CFL, or compact fluorescent light, is a perfect example of savings, energy efficiency and quality. The CFL can save the average user up to $40.00 over its lifetime. It lasts 10 times longer and uses 75 percent less energy than a conventional bulb. To top it off, the CFL produces 75 percent less heat, making it safer and less demanding on home cooling systems.
Cleaning Products
Selecting green cleaning products is of utmost importance to having a green home. From window cleaners to floor cleaners, there is a huge range of products to choose from. Often advertising claims are confusing or downright deceptive. The EPA addresses this issue by attaching a label called "Design for the Environment" (DfE) to products that maintain a quality performance and benefit the environment. Many name brands are available to the public. There are some available by catalog mail order or Internet order, as well as some available in retail stores. There are environmentally conscious dish and hand soaps, carpet shampoos and toilet cleaners, as well. Keep in mind that the label is key to determining a green product as a particular brand may sell both green and non-green products.
Shower Heads and Faucets
Conserving water not only lowers your water bill, but also affects the amount of energy needed to transport and to clean water and to process waste. Probably the easiest way to save a significant amount of water usage in your home is if you purchase a low-flow shower head. Look for 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or lower. Low-flow shower heads come in two distinct styles. Aerating shower heads mix air and water to form a mist-type spray, while laminar shower heads produce streams of water. The kitchen faucet can be equipped with an aerator at 2.2 gpm. Aerators for bathroom faucets can restrict water flow to as low as 0.5 gpm.
Appliances
The Energy Star label on a washing machine ensures significant water savings. Machines that have an efficient spin cycle extract more water from wet clothes, which will also save time in the dryer. An energy efficient dishwasher will save water and energy -- and both compact and standard capacity dishwashers are available. The option to alternate between long and short cycles is convenient, too. A booster heater increases the temperature of water entering energy efficient dishwashers to recommended levels for cleaning. Save money over time by using the booster heater option and lowering your overall water heater temperature.