Make Your Move Earth-Friendly

Is it possible to move to a new home in an environmentally conscious way? Yes, it is. While you will still likely need a vehicle that consumes gas to move, there are other ways to consider the Earth as you transition to a new home.

Here are some tips to have a "Green Move"--

Recycle prior to moving
Get rid of things you don't want by donating them or having a garage sale instead of transporting it to your new home.

Use green cleaning products
Clean out your old and new residences with products that aren't harmful to the environment

Pack your stuff in used cardboard boxes
Many people do this to save money, but it also helps the environment. Just make sure the boxes are sturdy. Supermarkets and liquor stores often have boxes available

Pack with greener materials
Rather than use plastic bubble wrap, pack with old newspaper or moving pads made with recycled cotton.

Hire a green moving company
Some moving companies are committed to earth-friendly practices like operating bio-diesel trucks or providing packing crates that can be reused.

Going Green Means More Greenbacks

If you have negative ideas about “going green” or if you think that concern for the environment is something for certain people, but not for you, think again.

Investing in environmentally-friendly improvements will pay off big in the future. It will make you home safer and more efficient for you and your family. And when you prepare to sell, it will make you home more attractive. You will be able to tell potential buyers about how much they can save on energy costs because you’ll already know!

Go with the flow
If you install low-flow fixtures, you will be able to slash water bills for you and any future owners.
Low-flow doesn’t mean low pressure. These fixtures have improved over the years, so you can find low-flow fixtures and showerheads that will give you the kind of water pressure you want.

Go Tankless
A tankless water heater will heat the water you need, on demand. And it will costs about 30% less than what it costs to use your standard water heater.

Get energized
Look for Energy Star-certified appliances. It may be tempting to get other models, especially if they are cheaper, but try to think about how much you’ll save over time if you get an energy efficient washer, dryer or air conditioner.

Taking the LEED in Conservation

If you have not heard of it before, LEED certification is given to building projects that have met rigorous standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Right now LEED standards apply to commercial construction and renovations to buildings that are already standing. The council is now looking into developing standards for new homes and developments.

Buildings with a LEED certification are good for the environment because they follow strict guidelines that ensure that energy is not wasted and that the environment is not made worse because that building is there.

LEED certification is good for businesses because it shows the public that they are committed to conservation and that they care about the environment. It also doesn't hurt that the media takes note of LEED certification, either. It can also boost employee morale, since it feels good to know that your company is interested in improving conditions on the planet.

One example of a LEED certified building in Maryland is the UMUC Inn & Conference Center. In 2005 it earned the distinction of being the country’s first environmentally friendly hotel and conference center.

Companies that build homes are starting to do more and more to build “green,” so your next home may be much more environmentally friendly than your last.

Look for more on Friday about environmentally-friendly home improvements you can make that will increase your home's value

Cleaning Green

Spring is almost here...and you know what that means: spring cleaning.

Whether you are cleaning for you and your family or because you are having an open house, consider whether the products you are using a doing more harm than help.

Many of the home cleaning products we buy are convenient, but they can be potentially harmful. Sometimes these products release toxins into the air and these toxins can linger, especially if your house does not have the best ventilation.

One way to avoid this is to use natural products to clean your home. The interesting thing about these natural cleaners is that they are all things that you can safely ingest, so that tells you that there is nothing wrong with breathing them in as you clean. Just be certain that you do not mix homemade cleaners with store-bought cleaning products.

You can use a vinegar solution to clean counters, floors, and drains, Vinegar can help you say good bye to hard water build-up and ants as well.

Baking soda is great deodorizer for the refrigerator. You can also use it to scrub hard-to-clean stains on pots and pans.

You can use lemon juice in the same ways you use vinegar, with the added bonus that the lemon juice will add an invigorating scent.

What is a “Green Roof”?

For those in the know, a “green roof” is not a roof covered in green shingles or aged copper. A green roof is something that is gaining popularity for those who want to “go green” in terms of creating more eco-friendly houses and cities.

So what is a “green roof”? A green roof is a roof that is partly or completely covered with vegetation and soil. This sits on a waterproofed membrane to keep water from entering the building. Some green roofs also might include irrigation systems. Basically, it is a vegetated, living roof.

Green roofs are not a new invention. In fact, prairie families that lived in sod houses back in the 1800’s commonly had houses excavated into hillsides where the roof of the house was basically part of the hillside. Modern green roofs are sophisticated assemblies of tough and reliable materials that can withstand water, weight, and the acids generated by vegetation. There are also special types of plants that are used, which are hardy, have fibrous roots to hold soil in place, and are able to tolerate conditions found on roof tops with only a few inches of soil.

Although there are many advantages of a green roof, a couple that impact a cityscape are that:

1. They reduce the “heat island effect” or heat that is reflected from vast expanses of roof and concrete in urban environments.
2. Reduce water run off because rainwater remains in the soil on the roof and nurtures the plants growing there.
3. They can increase your roof’s insulation value.

If you think this is some kind of “hippie” notion, think again. Many big cities, like Chicago, are encouraging residential green roof construction, even putting it on civic rooftops. If you are an eco-conscious homeowner or home buyer, a green roof is definitely something to consider and there are many sources on the Internet you can go to find out more about them and how they work.