Is you're home Green? Are you Green? Is our future Green?
By: Jim Godwin, Realtor, Manchester CT
Manchester CT Real Estate
Last night my wife and I rented Al Gores' "An Inconvenient Truth". For those of you not familiar with this movie, it's basically a grim look at what human kind is doing to our biggest irreplaceable asset; Earth. For those of you not familiar with Al Gore; he holds the record for the quickest Presidency. I think it was like 4.7 seconds or something. Contact Fox News or Jeb Bush for the exact figure.
Anyway, the movie really got me thinking about the part we can all play in decreasing the effects of global warming. Or as Al Gore likes to call it, our "carbon footprint". I had no idea how much CO2 we all emit into the atmosphere everyday. About 15,000 pounds per year for the average American. You can calculate your own personal carbon impact here. From what Al Gore and An Inconvenient Truth is saying, if each of us makes a few small changes everyday, we can reverse the affects of global warming and secure a "Greener" future for our children's children. Here are a few good ideas for green living:
- Reduce the amount of miles you drive by riding a bike, walking, Carpooling, or using mass transit when possible.
- Keep your car in tune. This improves gas mileage and reduces emissions.
- Keep tires properly inflated. This actually saves 3% in gas mileage. Each gallon of gas produces 20 pounds of CO2 so it adds up (Especially for us realtors that drive 200 miles a week!)
- Look into a buying a hybrid car. I know right now the price really sucks on these things, but I think that's going to change soon.
- Fly less if possible.
- By locally grown, fresh foods. The average meal travels 1,200 miles before it sits on you kitchen table.
- By foods grown in organic soil. I guess there is something in organic soil that captures carbon from the air. Who new?
Now to the good stuff! Here are some great ideas for us Realtors and you homeowners out there to create and maintain a "Green House":
- Replace all your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. They use 60% less energy. I have them and they work great! Last up to 3 years too.
- Move your thermostat up 2 degrees in the summer and down 2 degrees in the winter. Saves 2,000 pounds of carbon a year. Go to the American council for an energy efficient economy for more info on heating and cooling.
- Clean and replace filters on furnace's and air conditioners. Saves about 350 pounds a year.
- Install a programmable thermostat.
- By all Energy Star appliances.
- Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket.
- Use less hot water.
- Turn off electrical appliances when not in use.
- Only run the dishwasher when it's full.
- Plant a tree.
- Ask your electrical company if they offer green power.
- If you're in the process of having a home built, make sure the builder participates in building a green home. Things like the right insulation, proper venting, moisture control, and high efficiency heating and cooling units are a must. Go to HGTV's: "The ABC's of Green Building" for lots more.
I don't know about you guys, but I really want my kids to enjoy this life just as much as I can. At the rate we're going now, the prediction is that half of Antarctica and Greenland will be gone by the year 2050, raising the sea level worldwide by 20 feet. I'm no scientist, but I don't think that's good. We can all make a difference. As real estate agents we come into contact with a lot of people. Educate yourself and spread the word. Imagine if every member of this site convinced each listing they have to change out their light bulbs and turn down their thermostat. That impact ALONE would be huge! Lets band together and take action. The times of political suppression are over. The facts are in people, Not even the Condi Rice can change our minds now!
Wishing success to all,
Jim Godwin, Realtor, Manchester CT
Manchester CT Real Estate
860-805-9156
Comments(1)