By Sri Keshava, for Omkara World
LOS ANGELES -- Nov. 23, 2010 -- This is part three of an ongoing, and by no means exhaustive, list of helpful hints and tips to up the green ante in our daily lives.
Though they can be pricey at first, solar thermal systems for heating water or solar electrical systems (a.k.a. photovoltaic) can be installed in homes. These are separate systems, with thermal heating tending toward the less expensive.
Solar systems have improved dramatically in recent years, both in terms of their efficiency and affordability, so seek out a fresh quote and new information on incentives and tax credits. Exposed south-facing windows tend to collect solar gain, so, in the summer time, employ exterior awnings and overhangs to keep the interior cool.
Strategic landscaping with deciduous plants can block the harsh sun in the summer yet welcome its warm rays in winter, because deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves.
Water consumption is a vital area of concern, both with regard to quality and reserves. Water quality can be addressed by a whole home water filtration system. Renters or those on a budget can install filtrating showerheads, especially ones that eliminate chlorine. Filters for kitchen faucets or a water distiller appliance eliminate the need for wasteful plastic containers of (dubiously sourced) spring water.
In general, horizontal-load machines are more water efficient than top-loads, and avoiding the pre-wash cycle on your machine is a simple way to save thousands of gallons of water per year. Owners can install double-flush toilets to accommodate variations in flush needs, while renters or anyone with a conventional toilet can place a water bottle filled with sand in the toilet tank. Because the bottle is taking up some of the space, every time you flush you’ll be using that much less water.
Ideally, sprinklers should be unnecessary in the garden. Our reliance on them illustrates the unsuitability of the plants that have become the norm in our society’s sense of landscape design. If we trace back, usually we’re paying homage to a colonial heritage that has no relevance to our local ecosystem.
Where possible, replace high-water use lawns and plants with a landscape native to the area that will require no watering once it's established. This will encourage native wildlife, such as birds and butterflies, that are part of the natural ecosystem to thrive.
If you cannot change the landscape, make sure sprinklers are watering the yard and not pavement. Turn them on manually, rather than with a timer, or even water by hand to make a psychological connection between how much precious drinking water is being used.
A great alternative to sprinklers is drip irrigation. This waters the root and avoids loss of nutrient rich topsoil. We want as little water as possible to leave the property as it only ends up polluting lakes, rivers and the ocean carrying trash and toxins via storm drains. Where possible replace asphalt with permeable paving together with a water management system such as a catchment, drainage pool or cistern which allows water to seep back into the ground on site.
Concrete can be broken into stepping stone-size chunks and used as a stylish design element. Or you can place a posting on Craigslist and many landscape gardeners will offer to remove it for you for artistic or structural reuse in their projects.
Check out Home Depot's new Eco Option brand. Homeowners can request that contractors and builders use more environmentally sound alternatives to typical building materials, such as substituting engineered lumber for solid sawn lumber. This is made from small parts and off-cuts of trees and is compressed rather than using one continuous piece of virgin wood.
It’s stronger than the young trees we tend to harvest nowadays.
Another alternative, Forest Stewardship Certified wood has been sustainably harvested. Organizations work with the surrounding communities to make sure they know how to use their forest as a sustainable resource, ensuring future generations with choice harvesting and replanting.
Furthermore, consider using reclaimed lumber and other items. Specifically the ReUse People keep warehouses full of building materials obtained from their deconstruction of homes. This includes doors, windows, lumber, fixtures and cabinetry.
And, as you buy used, recycle anything you don’t want by posting it on Craigslist or donate it to Habitat for Humanity or any nonprofit that is quickly and inexpensively building housing. Except for fiberglass insulation, asbestos, vinyl and some other items, most anything can be reused.
Los Angeles and San Francisco benefit from the presence of Green Building Resource Centers. Check online to see if your city does, too. To buy a green home or a home with green potential, visit Green Homes for sale.
So much can be said about our lifestyles -- from the latte effect to the 3,000 plastic bags we have stuffed in our kitchen cupboard. Buy a refill cup for your coffee, reuse a glass or stainless steel bottle for your water. Carry a kit in your car that includes cloth bags for groceries, a set of Tupperware and cutlery for take-out, reusable juice/smoothie cup, coat hanger with cover for your dry-cleaning -- basically a long-life version of whatever your daily habits may be.
Seek out slight changes that are maintainable in the long term and build upon them. Living a sustainable life is a personal decision. It’s rekindling a love affair with our greater community.
Sri Keshava is a holistic entrepreneur who has made her passions, her business. She is the author of Gurus, Rock Stars & the Men In Between (a memoir from monk to punk diva in two seminal spiritual rock bands), co-director of Taal Dance Company, licensed real estate agent with a penchant for green, host of Gorgeous Green Homes and contributor to wellness and investment journals.
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Adam is a Reiki Master, certified Health and Lifestyle counselor, Licensed Massage Therapist, 20 year practicing bramana initiated Bhakti Yogi, Spiritual advisor, visionary, jock and veteran of the “hardcore punk scene” all rolled into one. Adam is the founder of Omkara World and produced the mind/body fitness DVD “Intelligent Fitness."
Click here for Adam's past article archive.
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