14Use Task Lighting. Instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it. For example, use fluorescent under-cabinet lighting for
kitchen sinks and countertops.
15Lighten Up Take advantage of daylight by choosing light-colored, loose-weave curtains for your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the
room while preserving privacy. Also, decorate with lighter colors
that reflect daylight. This includes choosing lighter shades of
wall paint, carpet and drapery.
16Check Out Fiber Cement Siding. Fiber cement siding is made of natural raw materials such as wood pulp, cement, sand and water. It looks like wood and can be
painted any color, yet using it won’t deplete old-growth forests.
17Pave the Way. Choose to have your driveway made from paving stones, porous concrete or asphalt. These materials will allow rainwater to
run through them, rather than enabling pollutant runoff into
rivers and lakes.
18Show Your Green Thumb. Plant shade trees at the south side of your home to keep you cooler in the summer. Also, choose plant species that are native to
your region. These plants will require less water and fertilization
because they have adapted to the environment.
19Garden Inside, Too. Don’t move your old silk floral arrangements into your new home; toss them. Decorate your home with live plants. They will clean
and purify the air you breathe all day.
20Clean Up. Overhaul your cleaning supplies to include those that are environmentally friendly and exclude harsh chemicals. Sometimes a
microfiber cloth and water may be all that is needed to clean
up after move-in day.
21Work from Home. Finally, work from your new home if pos- sible. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, nearly 4. 2 million people in the
U.S. worked from home in 2000, up from 3. 4 million in 1990.
Working from home saves energy and time by cutting out the
commute, but it may increase your home energy bills, so invest
in energy-saving office equipment. |
