Eco-Friendly Materials and Life Style Choices for Homeowners and Homebuilders

Environmentally conscience homeowners and homebuilders are concerned with global warming and are searching for ways that they can help reduce the affects of this problem. Homeowners and homebuilders have looked at this problem from two perspectives. They look at conditions in the home that can be controlled by the homeowner. They also look at the material used to build the house or used in remodeling projects.

Homeowners, whether in new or older homes, can make decisions about daily living that are eco-friendly while providing cost savings. Lowering the thermostat temperature in the winter and raising the temperature in the summer by just 1 degree will reduce the utility costs by nearly 4 percent. Dressing for the indoor temperature will help the homeowner adjust to the lower temperature in the house in the winter and the higher temperatures in the summer.

Homeowners can install low-flow toilets, faucets and showerheads. Water heating costs and water consumption can be reduced by as much as 50% with these eco-friendly fixtures.

When purchasing new appliances look for the Energy Star rating. Compare different models as to their energy use. One statistic stated that an Energy Star rated refrigerator would save enough electricity to light a home for about 4 months compared to a refrigerator built in 1990.

Fix those leaking faucets. 10 gallons of water is wasted each week from just one faucet that drips one drop per second. Your local hardware store will be happy to help teach you how to do this simple job. National stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's have seminars that are offered on the weekends.

More homeowners and homebuilders are searching for material that is green friendly when building a new home or remodeling. The "green" concept is based on the premise that there are eco-friendly building materials that will improve the environment.

Saving our forests has become a battle cry by "Green" individuals and groups. Selecting products that are made from renewable resources is one solution to this problem.

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