If we were to sit down and try to solve all of the world’s problems, we’d quickly get overwhelmed, feeling there is little we can do; however, the opposite is true. Big changes start with small efforts.
What is LEED?
Created by the Trade Association U.S. Green Building Council out of Washington, D.C. back in 1998, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) lends guidelines for the support the Administration’s environmental initiatives by, builders and architects who wish to be part of the solution and homeowners who have an interest in making green investments. Through their strenuous credentialing program, business owners and homeowners can certify that they have taken the necessary steps to ensure their efficient use of resources and energy consumption.
However, this credentialing process is oftentimes geared more towards new builds or can be
Outside of the obvious choices of lightbulbs, recycling efforts and controlling your home’s temperatures, there are several things you can do to LEED the way to a better future.
[Don’t] Let it Flow: secondary to reducing your electricity consumption is controlling your water waste. One of the biggest offenders in your home is in the bathroom. A few easy swaps can be made to make your bathroom eco-friendly.
- Install a water-saving showerhead. This easy change can save a whopping 2,700 gallons of water per year by reducing the flow of water from 2.5 gallons per minute down to less than 2.0 gallons.
- Switch to a dual-flush toilet. The water consumption of a regular toilet stinks. A dual-flush helps control water waste by offering two settings, saving roughly 67% when compared to traditional options.
- Aerate your water faucet. Adding an aerator screen to your faucet reduces the flow of water while offering the same feeling of full water pressure as without one. This mind trick can lead to a savings of 700 gallons per year.
Wash Out Savings: one of the most overlooked rooms in the home is the laundry space, but this is where some major pocket change resides. Some simple updates can start the spin-cycle on some serious savings.
- Rack up some eco-friendly points with a drying rack for air-drying select items. Not only does this save on energy costs, it will help your clothes last longer.
- Skip the separating. Sticking to the traditional mindset that clothes have to be separated often leads to loads that are small and inefficient use of your machine. Need an item sooner than you can justify running your washer? Consider handwashing and utilizing that super cool drying rack you got.
- Cool it down. According to the DOE, reconsidering your water temperature can save roughly $140 a year in electric costs. Reducing the water temperature used from hot to warm and warm to cold drops more than half the average energy used by the machine.
Green Up Your Green Space: take it outdoors to grow more savings and fence in more eco-friendly options for your home.
- Plant for your place. Learn about plants that are native to your region. These will be more tolerant to the natural environment, requiring less irrigation and replacements when nonnative plants fail to thrive.
- Think about your turf. Your grass choice can be the difference between efficiency and 50% more water consumption. There are several local resources available through most municipalities and state programs to help you navigate your green-friendly greenery. A great guide for green landscaping is the University of Florida’s “Florida-Friendly Landscaping” Principles.
- Strategically shade. By familiarizing yourself with the layout of your yard against the sun’s natural path, you can plan for strategic placements of trees to maximize your shading and reduce your home’s air conditioning costs.
Choose Eco-Friendly Extras: when considering your home’s decor, consider what you are bringing into your home from a sustainable and source perspective.
- Source local and fair trade items where possible. Reduce the carbon footprint created by imports and shipping impacts.
- Upcycle Utopia. Get crafty and creative by retrofitting, recycling and reclaiming items which will create a unique, individual style to your home.
- Choose craftsmanship and low-impact style. Avoid purchasing those low end items that will end up out of style or needing replacements in a short period of time. These items end up in the landfill, creating an environmental nightmare.
Taking on small steps towards a more eco-friendly home is easy to do in small, digestible steps that LEED to a better future. Take a look around your home and create a checklist of these easy to do swaps. What else can you do to lessen your home’s footprint and LEED a more eco-conscious lifestyle?
A perfect pairing to your home’s newly adopted green-friendly atmosphere is the addition of a solar system from Solcium Solar. Contact us today to see how we can collaborate on your earth-friendly home with a free, educational consultation that is tailored to your needs.
