Most families hear the word “green†or “eco-friendly†and immediately think that it means unaffordable. Or they think that the payoff is too far in the future to make the investment today…but there are a few reasons why you should consider eco-friendly design for your home.
Tax Credits: See your local or state government
Appliance Rebates: Visit www.energystar.gov
Higher Resale Value: contact your realtor
Plus, the eco-innovations on the market today are actually beautiful, and not bland like the past. And most importantly, these design options are available at varied price points, so there is no excuse…all the examples we are going to list cost less than $1,000.
Aerator filters (approximately $1) can be placed in any faucet and are available at your local hardware store. They make water droplets feel larger so that when you are washing your hands, you will use less water, but feel that the wash is just as strong.
Cleaning products (approximately $6-20) such as those by Method are an eco-friendly option for homeowners and they are available at major retailers including Target and they don’t do not have toxic effects like some harsher chemicals.
No-to-low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and stains (approximately $55/gallon) are the way to go if you have a family and chemical sensitivities that can trigger asthma and allergies. There are many brands available, but I am a fan of the Benjamin Moore line. These paints self-prime and seal so that you often need only one coat, and they do not off-gas so that one hour after painting there is no paint smell.
Denim and newspaper insulation (approximately $200/room) is created from old blue jeans that are repurposed into pallets of fibrous insulation and old newspapers that are shredded. Completely non-toxic, it is fire treated and can be installed with your bare hands, unlike some insulation that requires safety goggles, gloves, and respirators.
Solatubes (approximately $350) are passive lighting devices that can also be used in a retrofit project, providing light anywhere into a space. Commonly used in closets and hallways, these devices sit on a roof or a wall and using a system of mirrors and reflectors can bring light in a hallway that would otherwise require use of electricity.
Dual-flush toilets (approximately $400) are engineered to ensure that the least amount of water is needed by a consumer dependent on the usage. A big button for a big flush, and a small button for a small flush ensures that the water bill in a home is manageable.
Hybrid hot water heaters (approximately $600) have tanks that hold 4-7 gallons of water instead of the usual 30 gallons. These systems ensure that you have instant hot water in the morning so you don’t have to let your water run prior to hopping in the shower, thereby saving water in the process. My favorite is the Eternal Hot Water Heater.
Energy Star rated appliances (approximately $600) can lower your electric and water bill because they are more environmentally friendly. For example, if you use a front-load washing machine you will use only 18-25 gallons of water versus the 40 gallons used in older, top load models. Each energy star appliance saves a homeowner over $110 annually — so if you multiply that times the 5-8 appliances in your home, it adds up to a lot of money!
Gas fireplaces (approximately $750) have an on-off function to ensure that the gas is not running all the time, thus preserving our usage of fossil fuels. If you have a standard fireplace, make sure that the chimney flue is well insulated so that your money is not “going up in smoke.â€
orwp-incontent-custom-banner ampforwp-incontent-ad3">Flooring (approximately $1000) can be eco-friendly or sustainable by using engineered or bamboo materials. Neither product takes new trees from the forests. Engineered floors are made from recycled timber and bamboo is actually a grass that re-grows easily. We recommend Mohawk for engineered and Dragonfly for bamboo flooring.
Make sure to check to see if thee are tax breaks, rebates or other incentives under the Home Star program which is similar to the “cash for clunkers†program. Enjoy making your home a healthy eco-system for your family with these budget conscious options.
More options for creating an eco-healthy home on a budget:
Free
Remove your shoes when you enter your home to keep toxins out
Lower the toilet lid each time you flush
Freeze your child’s stuffed animals once a week for 24 hours to kill dust mites
Clean the water pan under your refrigerator
$1 to $100
Replace your vinyl shower curtain liner with a nylon shower curtain liner ($20)
Replace your pillow ($25)
Purchase hypoallergenic pillow and mattress covers ($9 to $45)
Change all your light bulbs to CFL or LED bulbs ($2 to $40/each)
Purchase towels made of organic cotton or recycled cotton yarn
$100 to $500
Install carpet tiles in a room instead of wall-to-wall carpet ($8/each)
Purchase Water Sense-labeled faucets, fixtures and toilets which are more water efficient
$500 to $1,000
Install a wool-backed rug instead of a vinyl backed rug ($500 and up)
Select a sofa with slip covers that can be cleaned regularly
Install a countertop made of paperstone, icestone or ECO by Cosentino instead of granite
$1,000 to $5,000
Install eco-friendly custom cabinetry
Purchase an eco-healthy foam mattress
Purchase a nursery set that has non-formaldehyde adhesives
Robin Wilson is a eco-friendly and healthy home interior designer focused on sustainable, reusable, recyclable and non-toxic options from the ‘foundation to the furniture’. She is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, an affiliate member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and she is currently studying for her LEED accreditation. She is the author of “Kennedy Green House: Designing an Eco-Healthy Home from the Foundation to the Furniture,†(Greenleaf Book Group Press, $30).
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