By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now
New green homes can awe-inspiring, both for their groundbreaking designs and their show of techno-muscle. Those tubular daylights, state-of-the-art solar panels, sleek recycled flooring, dehumidifying HVAC systems, complex gray water reclamation systems, louvered light “shelves” and heat-reflecting metal roofs can leave the common homeowner gaping — and wishing.
The truth is most of us won’t be building a brand new green castle, at least not anytime soon — and perhaps there’s something to be said for the alternative; let’s call it “greening in place”.
Almost any home can become more energy friendly, and this “in fill” project can occupy a very important spot in the urban landscape: your own lot!
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March 1st, 2009
By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now
Another day, another goofy week designation….The EPA has named March 16-20, Fix A Leak Week.
Hey, with the recession, this is the perfect solution to spring break. Instead of heading to the beach, which you can’t afford, you can rinse off in the shower after fixing the leaky toilet!
Seriously though. Spring is a good time to think about these things. Water seems to go on forever because it literally pours into our houses. But it’s finite.
Here’s some of the EPA’s advice to become a better conservator of this precious resource:
- Install low-flow shower heads — This will pay for itself and doesn’t ruin the experience…(I’m a sucker for a hot, blasting shower, and truly, it’s been like giving up mayonnaise, after awhile you don’t miss it.).
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Related Topics: · aerators, BarbaraKesslerBlog, drip line irrigation, high efficiency toilets, low-flow shower heads, rain barrel, Water Conservation
