A Greener Fixer-Upper: Green Remodeling Tips

As the average U.S. home size increases, demanding more energy and materials, living smaller is a surefire way to reduce your ecological footprint. It’s also an opportunity to enjoy thoughtful design and a simpler lifestyle. Here are tips for making the transition:

A bigger house is not always better. Notice how you use your current dwelling and where you spend your time. For example, do you really need a formal dining room?
When removing old cabinets and countertops, carefully disassemble them and reuse the materials elsewhere in your home, or donate them to an organization like Habitat for Humanity.
Save energy by going double-paned when replacing windows, and installing solar panels the next time you redo your roof.
Go vertical; cathedral ceilings make rooms feel more spacious and can hold sleeping lofts.
Finish your small home with details you’ll love – stained glass or walnut filigree, for example. In smaller spaces, they’re more affordable.
For more ideas and tips, visit the Small House Society, or TinyHouses.net.

Be Wise About Water: Water Saving Tips

Use a broom instead of a hose to clear your driveway.
Your lawn only needs .5 to 1.5 inches of water per week, so use an empty tuna can to measure when you’ve reached the limit.
Air drying uses 15 to 50 percent less energy in practically the same amount of time, so use your dishwasher’s air-dry setting instead of the heat-dry option. If it doesn’t have an air-dry setting, simply open the door once the final rinse is complete.

Fast Fact: If each U.S. household installed one low-flow sink faucet or aerator, it would save more than 60 billion gallons of water annually.

NSU Newsroom

SharkBytes

Horizons

Other NSU News Sources

News Releases Archive

Contact

SharkBytes Archives

SharkBytes Categories

Contact

A Greener Fixer-Upper: Green Remodeling Tips

Be Wise About Water: Water Saving Tips