Eco Smart Restoration Means a Smaller Enviromental Footprint

Eco Smart Restoration Means a Smaller Environmental Footprint

Many of you who know me know that I am involved in Eco Smart restorations of historic homes in the Gettysburg Pa area. I am a big fan of using the term "Eco Smart" as opposed to "Green". I believe the term green is often misused in the  building world, green really refers to a building material than it does a style of building or renovating or restoring. I will be henceforth referring to Eco Smart renovating.

Eco Smart is more of a lifestyle than a material, it is a plan of action. When working on a historic restoration project it is important to understand that the concept is to keep as much as of the original charm as possible while instilling some of the comforts of modern living. My good friend Rick Hutchinson is a master at the concept, you have seen the home he recently restored that is one of the historic homes of Gettysburg currently for sale.


So what can you do in your own home, whether your in a historic home or not there are things you can do reduce your environmental footprint and live a more Eco Smart lifestyle.

        > When replacing old appliances be sure to replace them with energy star units. Energy Starindicates that the equipment is superior in it's energy efficiency, which in turn means cost savings for us the consumer.

        > A programmable thermostat is a must. These devices allow to set your heating or cooling system to come and go off at different intervals, at different temps throughout the day and night. There is no need to continually have to set and reset the thermostat.

        > Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. These light bulbs save approximately 75 % less energy that incandescent bulbs, plus they last about 10 times longer. PPL has a CFL Program

        > Avoid using peat in your outdoor landscaping, peat comes from ancient bog lands and you can achieve the same results by making your own compost.

        > Incorporate the use of deciduous trees in your landscaping. These trees will shade the home in summer and let the sunshine in (when the leaves fall off) in winter.

        > Use a barrel to collect rainwater, there are many different systems out there to purchase or make one yourself. Use the collected water for watering instead of using water from the main water supply.

        > Utilize sites such as Earth4Energy, the information at this particular site is wonderful and it will keep you busy converting to an Eco Smart lifestyle. Another good site is supported by the Duquesne Light Company


Living an Eco Smartlifestyle is fun and it is addicting to see how efficient and "off the grid" you can live. If you start slow you can get better and better, it is not something that needs to be done all at once. Give it a try, you will be leaving a smaller environmental footprintand a better world for kids and grand kids.