The research is pretty strong that adding greenery to your office, whether that’s in your home or out, has all kinds of psychological and physical health benefits. We’re partnering with office furniture retailer Jason L to highlight the many reasons why it’s time for you to install office gardens where you work.

Why Plant Office Gardens?

Get More Work Done
One of the top benefits of being surrounded by greenery is that it increases productivity. Why? Plants are sort of like therapy dogs – you can touch and smell them, and they can have a calming effect on your workspace. The folks at Jason L report that 15% more ideas are generated by people who worked in an office with a garden or surrounded by plants. When you feel better, you work better. It’s as simple as that.

Feel Better
Speaking of feeling better, just think about how uplifting it is to walk into a room that includes some beautiful plants. I immediately feel my blood pressure drop a couple of notches when I see a variety of plants together.

Minimize Discomfort
Research shows that hospital patients tolerate pain better if there is a plant in their room or on their ward. Looking at plants, watering them, taking trimmings can all be very peaceful and meditative.

Breathe Cleaner Air
Indoor plants can remove up to 87% of air toxins in 24 hours. They also absorb carbon dioxide and emit fresh oxygen, says NASA.

Be Creative
From adding a few hanging plants to your space to creating garden walls, the sky is almost literally the limit when it comes to how use use plants to express yourself creatively. You can have desk top plants, floor plants, baskets full of plants, flower boxes, herbs, flowers, fruit trees, terrariums, and more.

Put It To Use
Numerous companies and factories plant garden walls or rooftop gardens as a way to increase insulation and reduce heating and cooling costs, as well as increase employee well-being. These tips will help you figure out if a rooftop garden makes sense where you work.

How to Install Office Gardens

Look at Light
All plants need light, but some need a lot more than others.

A variety of specimens, like golden pathos and peace lilies, that can tolerate very low light levels and even some artificial light.

Others, like spider plants, do much better with more light.

Before you get a plant, take stock of how much light it needs, as well as how much it will get in your space. If those two factors measure up, you’re good to go.

Know the Air Temp
Like light, some plants do better in a cooler space and others want temps much warmer.

If your plant is going to go near a drafty window, skip the orchids and other “hot house” plants.

If the room is hot, think about tropical or desert plants, depending on the humidity.

Consider Humidity
Tropical plants will need to be misted often and watered frequently. Desert plants, just the opposite. In addition to knowing the light exposure and temperature of your space, consider how humid it is and how often plants require watering.

What Do You Like to Look At?
Whatever plants you choose, make sure you enjoy looking at them. If you don’t, you’ll lose interesting in keeping them alive. And no one likes a dead plant!

Here’s the bottom line. People benefit when they work around office plants (or plants in warehouses, factories, and retail outlets). Whether you’re adding greenery to your home office or something larger, you won’t regret bring some foliage into your space.

Thanks to Jason L for these images. You can see their complete infographic on office gardens right here. 

NOTE: Sponsors and partners enable us to bring you the expert content you need to live the greener life you want. All editorial opinions remain our own. 

The post Plant Office Gardens to Get More Work Done, Breathe Better appeared first on Big Green Purse.

It’s a common misconception that you don’t need to worry about the air you breathe unless you’re outside. Smog, carbon monoxide, ozone, and polluting particles sometimes make it difficult to breathe outdoors. However, the air INSIDE our homes can be even more dangerous to breathe. That’s because the chemicals we use in our homes can build up and pollute our indoor air. People spend more than 90% of their time inside rather than out, so if our indoor air is polluted, it can pose a real threat to our health. That’s why we’ve teamed up with EcoExperts.com to offer you these 5 smart and easy ways to improve indoor air quality.

Improve Indoor Air Quality 5 Smart Ways

1)Keep your floors clean.

Surprised by this one? Think about it. Whatever you’ve walked through before you came into your home you’re bringing right along with you. Allergens and toxic chemicals can accumulate along with household dust and normal dirt.

⇒Keep floors clean first and foremost by putting a door mat outside and inside the door so it is easy to trap loose dirt before you even come in your home.

⇒Leave your shoes at the door so you don’t track all that pollution everywhere in the house. This is especially true if you have carpeting or area rugs, as the dirt and dust can get embedded in carpeting fibers.

⇒Vacuum weekly, using a vacuum with strong suction power and rotating bushes to raise pollutants up and out of the carpet where they can be easily sucked up.

⇒Use a microfiber mop to sweep up on hard floors and tile. Depending on how much traffic you have going through your home, or if you have outdoor pets coming inside, you may need to do this daily.

2)Reduce home humidity.

A cool home may be comfortable, but if it’s too cool and damp, it will breed mold and mildew.

⇒Keep the humidity level inside your home between 30% and 50%.

⇒In basements and below ground family rooms, use a dehumidifier to pull excess moisture out of the air.

⇒In bathrooms, turn on ceiling fans when taking a shower, and let the fan run 20 minutes afterwards to do its job.

3)Test for radon.

One of the most fatal of indoor toxins, radon is a colorless, odorless gas that has become a leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. This poisonous gas is common to all kinds of soil and seeps up into basements and homes without basements, then persists when air circulation doesn’t vent the gas to the outside. Even granite countertops have been found to emit radon.

Fortunately, testing for the presence of radon is inexpensive. service providers like Eco Experts can conduct the test, determine whether you’re in danger, and help remediate the problem before you get sick.

4)Use non-toxic household cleansers; avoid synthetic perfumes and fragrances; don’t smoke. 

Many cleansers contain “VOCs,” volatile organic compounds that are known carcinogens. Commercial “air fresheners”  probably contain phthalates, which are known to trigger asthma, headaches, nausea and worse. The dangers with “second hand smoke” are well-documented and almost as significant as if someone were smoking rather than inhaling someone else’s cigarette smoke.

Most home cleaning can be accomplished using a simple solution of fragrance-free liquid soap, some baking soda, and warm water.

For a more fragrant interior, simmer a pot of popourri on the stove, open windows to let in fresh air, and remove rotting food and pet waste if it has not been cleaned up.

Don’t Miss: 16 Causes of Indoor Air Pollution

If you must smoke, go outside and stand far away from any open windows or doors to prevent the smoke from getting inside.

5)Vent kitchen ranges, chimneys, wood stoves, and fireplace inserts.

Prevent carbon monoxide and other byproducts of gas and wood combustion from building up in your home. Use the stove fan when cooking and make sure your chimney is clean and allowing dirty smoke and air to escape up the chimney rather than into your home.

Keep a carbon monoxide detector in good working order to avoid deadly build-up of this lethal gas.

Take a look at : Indoor Plants for Air Purification

By the way, take many of these same steps if you work in an office. And make sure whether at home or at work, you get outside frequently. Going in and out will both help you clear your lungs and help promote air exchange between bad air and good (or at least, not quite so bad).

The post Improve Indoor Air Quality 5 Smart Ways appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Are you wondering how you can live the green life you want if you’re renting an apartment rather than living in a space you own? We’ve teamed up with apartment search website RENTCafe to bring you these great ideas for enjoying an eco-friendly lifestyle in an apartment, condo, or home you rent.

How to Green Your Rental Apartment

 If you live in an apartment, you’ve likely made several changes to the décor to help suit your style.

But if you aren’t also making green improvements to your home, then it may not be as healthy or as energy efficient as it could be.

And while you may think that creating a more eco-friendly home isn’t possible as a renter, there are several ways you can green your rental apartment to save money and make it more comfortable to live in at the same time.

BONUS! You can get these done in one day and reap the benefits for a long time!

Invest in Drapes

The biggest source of energy loss in most homes is right around the window area. Even with double paned windows, if the area surrounding them isn’t well sealed, you could still be losing a lot of the energy you use to heat and cool your apartment.

By investing in good quality, thermal drapes, you can help stop this energy loss, eliminating drafts and making your apartment more comfortable at the same time.

As a bonus, most thermal drapes are also light blocking, so you can control how much sunlight your apartment gets – perfect for weekends when you want to sleep in.

By the way, if you install floor-to-ceiling drapes, you can easily take them with you when you move. They’ll fit other windows.

Swap Out Your Lightbulbs

Even if the light fixtures in the apartment need to stay as they are you can still lower your energy bill an get better ambient light at the same time by investing in new LED lightbulbs.

LEDs use far less energy than incandescents and last for at least a dozen years!

Plus, they can give off more lumens per watt (which means they produce more light for less energy), so you can get a brighter living area while saving energy at the same time.

Here’s how to choose the right LED for your apartment.

Replace Your Water-Wasting Showerhead for a WaterSense Model

It may be best to leave the main faucets and toilet in your apartment alone and encourage your landlord to make them more water efficient. But it’s easy to replace your shower head with a low-flow WaterSense model. Just look for the WaterSense logo, pictured right, when you shop.

Older shower heads use as many as 7 gallons of water a minute. New water saving units that meet EPA’s WaterSense standards use around 2 gallons. WaterSense technology helps make up the difference by spinning the water droplets as they leave the head, making the shower feel fuller.

You’ll reduce your water bill, paying for the modest cost of the shower head in no time.

Plug Into Power Strips

Many appliances end up sucking up energy even when they aren’t on or in use.

Sometimes known as “energy vampires,” these appliances and devices add a lot to your monthly energy bill.

To help save energy and money, put a power strip at each outlet, then plug your standby devices like lamps, televisions, gaming sets, and computers into these.

When you’re not using any of the items, turn off the power strip to stop the energy drain.

FYI, here’s one of the power strips I have my video monitor and Roku plugged into.

Purify the Air

If your apartment was painted in the last five years, chances are that it’s still giving off VOCs or volatile organic compounds, into the air. The effect is worse the closer you get to the time the paint was applied. In fact, about 50% of the VOCs are given off in the first year after the room was painted, with the rest “off-gassing” over the next four.

Plus, you might use air fresheners or cleaning products that are filled with synthetic fragrances, chemical compounds that can cause head aches, flu-like symptoms, and even trigger asthma attacks.

To help clean the air you breathe and eliminate some of those harmful toxicants, first switch to no VOC paint when you repaint.

In place of air fresheners, remove the sources that stink (like rotting food, dirty clothes, pet waste), circulate fresh air, and make potpourri out of fragrant natural herbs and dried flowers.

Use baking soda, vinegar, and fresh squeezed lemon juice for most cleaning projects. Open boxes or bowls of baking soda can also help absorb unwanted odors.

Monitor what’s in your air using a system like HomeLab’s, which will tell you what chemicals you’re breathing, and how you can turn your space into a healthy home.

Add Some Plants

Air purification systems aren’t the only way to clean up the air in your apartment and make it healthier; adding plants can make a big difference as well.

Greenery like English Ivy, rubber plants, and peace lilies clean the air in your home and enhance your décor, too.

Place plants in areas that may need air cleansing the most, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms and breathe a little easier.

In my living room, I have a big peace lily. It gets beautiful white flowers once or twice a year.

Check and Replace Your HVAC Filter

If you have a furnace, central air conditioning unit, or HVAC system that uses ducts to heat or cool your apartment, make sure that you’re checking and cleaning the filter at least once per season (some companies recommend changing or cleaning filters monthly).

When the filter gets clogged, it causes the unit to work harder, spiking your energy bill.

If you aren’t sure if the filter needs to be changed, hold it up to the light; if you can’t see through it, it should be cleaned.

NOTE: You don’t need to buy a new filter every month; get one that’s reusable and wash it by spraying it with a hose or running it under a faucet. Just make sure it dries thoroughly before re-installing it. You can keep an extra on hand so you always have one to clean and one to replace it with.

Decorate Using Vintage and Recycled Furnishings

From rugs and bed frames to sofas, dining room tables and lamps, you can find great bargains and repurpose gently used (and sometimes brand new) furniture rather than buy brand new.

In addition to CraigsList.com, eBay.com and Freecycle.com, browse the listings at NextDoor.com, a site that makes it easy for neighbors to swap from each other or buy at a reasonable price.

Thrift stores, auction houses, estate sales and vintage shops (think antiques) are more great – and eco-friendly – places to shop.

Here’s one of the rugs I have in my home. When I got it 15 years ago it was already at least 60 years old.

Go Green

It doesn’t take much to green your rental apartment and make it healthier and more eco-friendly. Implement any of these changes and you’ll see the benefits in no time.

What Do You Do?

What else do you do to green your rental apartment? Please share!

Note: Partnerships enable us to bring you expert content at no additional cost to you. Our editorial opinions remain our own. Thanks!

The post 8 Inexpensive Ways to Green Your Rental Apartment (& Save Money Doing It) appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Lower energy utility bills. Living in an energy-efficient home can save you hundreds of dollars on utility bills every year. What are some ways to save energy? Insulate your attic and crawl spaces. Trade in old appliances for energy-efficient ones. Weather strip windows and doors. Keep your HVAC system in good working order.  Many states and utilities offer significant rebates to help lower the cost of these initial investments. Plus, you keep all the money you save when you lower your utility bills.

Spend less money on water. My water bill is consistently about half of what many of my neighbors pay. That’s because I’ve taken some key steps to use less water for bathing, clothes washing, dishes and cleaning, and even in my landscaping.

Over the years, I’ve also replaced my toilets so they only use 1.6 gallons per flush or less (older toilets may use 5 times that much). When I replaced my washing machine, I got a high efficiency top loading model, and I only wash clothes when I have a full load.

I do the same with my dishwasher, and only wash full loads. I installed a simple drip irrigation system in my yard so that water gets directly to my plants, rather than getting sprayed all over the yard.  I replaced the faucets in the showers and sinks with models that increase water pressure so a lot less water comes out of the faucet with no noticeable inconvenience.

Be healthier. Improving the indoor quality of your air is good for your health. Indoor air can actually be far more polluted than outdoor air because there’s less air circulation, and because people use cleansers and paints that contain a lot of toxic chemicals. Keep your HVAC filters clean.  Use only cleansers that are fragrance-free. And if you repaint, use paint that is free of VOCs, or volatile organic compounds.

Teach your children. When you raise kids to recycle, turn off the lights and electronics when they’re not in use, help you change the light bulbs, turn off the water when they brush their teeth, and share and swap rather than buy brand new, you help raise responsible kids who will help protect the planet as they get older.

Make more money when you sell your home. Homes that are well insulated to save energy, have water-saving appliances, and built with non-toxic paints and cleansers, garner more money when they’re sold. In fact, the statistics show that over 80% of homebuyers are willing to pay a premium to “go green.” You can often deduct the expenses you incurred in upgrading your house against the profit you make in selling it, too.

Protect wildlife. You can have your home certified as Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation if you maintain your landscape organically, plant trees and bushes, plant to attract birds, bees and butterflies, and add other natural gardening features.

Stop climate change. Climate change is the most critical issue we face when it comes to protecting life on earth as we know it. When you maintain your home to save energy, you’re doing your part to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that help cause global warming, and related natural disasters, like extreme weather events, drought, fire, hurricanes and superstorms.

Why do you value living greener? Please share!

The post The 7 BEST Benefits of a Green Home appeared first on Big Green Purse.

• Use non-toxic cleaning products. Most commercial cleansers are notorious for the harsh chemicals they contain and the nasty residue they leave behind. What to Do? Choose eco-friendly and healthy cleansers certified for industrial and office use by Green Seal. They’ll get the job done without adding to the chemical burden already in the office.

• Bring in plants. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration discovered that over 50 different types of plants do a terrific job of helping to purify the air. Plus, adding natural greenery to a workspace is good for office morale. Most people just feel better around a plant, even if they don’t realize it consciously. What to Do? Once you figure out how much direct and indirect light you have, choose plants from this list to place around the office.

The post For an Eco-Friendly Healthy Office Make This Your Priority appeared first on Big Green Purse.

I’m starting to think about updating or replacing my kitchen cabinets, and wanted to share with you the options I’m considering.

It’s a pretty big undertaking. Updating kitchen cabinets can be expensive, which is why most homeowners wait until their existing kitchen is falling apart before they invest in a new one.  I hate the thought of tearing out all my old cupboards and dumping them in a landfill, especially since they can still be used. I also worry about buying new cabinets, because so many of them are glued together with formaldehyde or some other toxic chemical that could pollute your indoor air.

Superior Stone and Cabinet Company is helping me explore my options for eco-friendly cabinets by sponsoring this post. I hope you find the suggestions on ways to save with new kitchen cabinets or updated cabinets helpful.

Repair Not Replace

Consider whether you need to replace all your cabinets or just the fronts. These usually suffer the most wear and tear, so if your interior cabinets are sound with no major damage, remove the doors and smarten up your kitchen with some shiny new doors, drawer fronts, and knobs or pulls.

Paint Cabinets

Consider painting the fronts of your cabinets before you replace them. Solid wood doors can be sanded, then painted with primer and topcoat, which will give your kitchen a smart new look. Painting is easy as long as you remove the doors and hardware before you start. Here’s a video tutorial on how to paint your cabinets that I’ve found helpful.

Donate Your Old Kitchen

Donate the cabinets you tear out to a group like Habitat for Humanity, which sells them to people to refurbish. Or, find other spots in your home or garage to use at least some of the old cabinets. The first time I renovated my kitchen, I moved some of the cabinets that were still in good shape down to a new bathroom we were updating. Alternatively, offer the cabinets to a local sports club or community group. Advertise the availability of your cabinets on Craig’s List or Freecycle, or ask around to see if any of your friends or neighbors can use the cabinets.

Solid Wood Cabinets

Choose solid wood cabinets over laminate, as laminate is often glued together using formaldehyde, which can releases noxious gas and cause headaches, nausea, and worse. Solid cabinets are more expensive, but they tend to last longer and can be renovated with paint or wood stain if you subsequently decide you want a different look in the kitchen.

Add Pull-Out Shelves and Drawers on the Bottom

When choosing a new cabinet design, opt for as many slide-out drawers as possible, especially for lower cabinets. This will make it easier to keep track of the food you put in the back. You’ll reduce food waste that way and also enjoy greater convenience when you’re trying to retrieve items from the back of the cupboard. Most modern kitchens offer a range of storage solutions. Be creative and pick the ones that best suit your kitchen.

Add a Recycling Drawer or Bin

Make it easier to recycle cans, bottles, and paper by installing a bin either in a drawer or under the counter. Don’t miss these additional ideas for a plastic-free kitchen. 

Easy Clean Finishes

When choosing a finish, look for a door style that is easy to clean and will not require harsh chemicals to maintain in tip-top condition. Keep in mind that dark-stained cabinets will last longer than bright white ones, which are harder to keep clean. Avoid Shaker styles or other designs that create a frame on the cabinet that traps dirt and grease.

Standard Fit Cabinets

Choose kitchen cabinets that are pre-made in standard sizes to reduce waste. Bespoke kitchen cabinets are attractive, but they take more time and effort to fit.

Use Recycled Materials

Look for old, antique door handles and knobs for your cabinets to give your kitchen character. A random selection of quirky knobs will bring your kitchen cabinets to life. Or, clean up the existing handles on your current cupboards if you’re repainting and keeping the cabinets you have.

Have you repainted your kitchen cabinets, replaced just the doors, or replaced all the cabinets? Please share your experience, and share pictures to our Pinterest page. We’d love to see what worked for you.

NOTE: Sponsors like Superior Stone and Cabinet Company allow us to share our expertise at no cost to you. Our editorial opinions are always our own. Thanks.

The post 9 Affordable Ways to Update Your Kitchen with Eco-Friendly Cabinets appeared first on Big Green Purse.

First and foremost, it will make it a healthier, more satisfying place to live. I don’t know anyone who says “My home is “green” – and I hate it!” Just the opposite is true. Homes that are painted with No VOC paint and cleaned with non-toxic chemicals have fresher, unpolluted indoor air – and that’s the air we breathe 90% of the time.

Second, living in a home that uses less energy and saves water will save you money – a lot of money – over the years.

Third, once you decide to sell, the return on investment at resale for green, sustainable spaces may be higher than in “conventional” homes that don’t offer organic landscapes, energy-efficient appliances, water-saving faucets, and a well-insulated attic.

But if your house is not particularly eco right now, what updates make sense, especially if you’re considering putting your house on the market sooner rather than later?

My rule of thumb is:

aim for improvements that make sense to your quality of life, are affordable, and are appropriate
for the area where you live.

For example, home sellers looking to target house hunters in D.C. – one of the most progressive cities in terms of sustainable trends – might consider smart windows that regulate climate due to the East Coast’s famously cold winters and hot, humid summers. 

We’ve partnered with Zillow.com to bring you this list of green updates that will increase home values while providing you with results you can enjoy as long as you’re living in your house.

5 Green Updates That Increase Home Value

1) Energy-efficient insulation

Many homes built before 1980 typically don’t have enough insulation. Unless your home is located in a uniquely mild climate, bringing it up to current insulation standards makes it comfortable and can cut heating and cooling costs anywhere from 10 to 50 percent. This image shows the five places most likely to need insulation in your home. To determine the suitable insulation for your climate, check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s ZIP code recommendations.

2) LED bulbs

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) save homeowners and renters an average of $50 when used instead of 15 traditional bulbs, according to the Department of Energy. Moreover, LEDs last 10 times longer than outdated incandescent bulbs.  ENERGY STAR LEDs cost only about $1 to operate per year, compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, which cost $4.80 a piece to run and produce the same amount of light.  Keep in mind, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and other fluorescent bulbs often contain mercury, so consult the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for proper care.

Don’t Miss: 7 Ways LEDs are Better than CFLs. 

3) Solar panels

Solar is here to stay, and it’s no wonder why. People all over the world are feeling the effects of climate change, and solar offers one of the cleanest alternatives to the fossil fuels that cause this global problem.

While solar installation can be costly upfront, there are all kinds of creative ways to finance it, like using tax credits, leasing rather than buying solar panels outright, and taking advantage of discounts made through community purchasing programs.  The average cost of home solar panels has declined almost 50% in the last decade, plus homeowners can claim federal and state tax credits to lower the cost even further.  Solar shingles are a less expensive option and blend more seamlessly into existing roofs, but work like solar panels by capturing sunlight and creating usable energy.

Get Solar Panels for 20-30% Off. Here’s How.

4) ENERGY STAR appliances, water heater and HVAC system

Without tearing down walls or hiring a team of workers, you can update your home simply by swapping out old appliances for ENERGY STAR -rated refrigerators, freezers, ovens, dishwashers, washers and dryers. Many utilities will provide a rebate when you update. They’ll also cart away your old appliance, and maybe even pay you to recycle it.

Choosing ENERGY STAR models when replacing your HVAC system or hot water heater makes sense, too.  Pick the most energy-efficient model you can afford at a size that’s not too big to meet your needs.

True Story: My Utility Company Gave Me $200 When
I Bought My New Energy-Saving Refrigerator.

5) Organic Landscaping with Water-wise Native Plants & Trees

Curb appeal can help sell a home and keep you smiling every time you make your way up the driveway. Beyond the clear aesthetic benefits of well-landscaped yards, strategically planting trees and shrubs can actually help with the cooling costs inside the home. Organic practices reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers and builds healthier, more productive soil. Choosing native plants that do well in the amount of rainfall your region normally gets will reduce your water bill. Installing a drip irrigation system that delivers water to the plants that it can cut your water bill by 50%.

Want to be a little more ambitious? Check out this mini-guide we wrote just for you!

What updates have you done to your home to make it more livable and to increase its resale value? We’d love to hear from you!

The post 5 Green Updates that Increase the Value of Your Home appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Thinking about remodeling?  Doing so sustainably can be rewarding, cost-effective — and confusing! The word “green” used to be synonymous with environmentally friendly, but it’s now so overused that it’s seen as little more than a marketing ploy. Plus, wading through all of your options to come up with an eco remodel can be difficult.

To help you get started, here are 5 surefire strategies to get you the sustainable, chic remodeling project you want, thanks to our sponsors at AirControlAz.com, a company that specializes in helping homeowners install energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

Sustainable, Chic Remodeling
1. Embrace DIY
2. Find a Qualified Sustainability-Focused Contractor
3. Renovate Strategically
4. Choose Eco-Friendly Materials, Appliances & Fixtures
5. Reuse, Recycle

1) Embrace DIY

One of the best ways to decrease waste and maximize efficiency is to complete as much of the project as possible without help from contractors.

This may seem counter-intuitive. Contractors generally have more expertise when it comes to highly technical work, like framing, wiring, and plumbing. They also get discounted rates on supplies. The downside is that, in an effort to economize on their time, they may overbuy paint, lumber, and other products to reduce the number of back-and-forth trips to their suppliers. That could lead to unnecessary waste.

I’m not suggesting you should frame or wire a room. I certainly couldn’t. But can you demolish or remove materials rather than have the contractor do it? Can you spackle dry wall, paint, finish floors, and install light fixtures?

Once you know the scope of your project, figure out what you can do, and what you need a contractor or sub contractor to do.

2) Find a Contractor Who is Committed to Sustainability

When the time comes to enlist help, find providers whose inclinations to reduce resource consumption, save energy, and limit your exposure to toxic chemicals match yours. Plenty of businesses brand themselves as green, but it is up to you to determine who really means it.

When you are getting estimates, quiz candidates about what makes them so eco-friendly. Ask for specific examples of how they’d make a greener choice. Check references, asking to talk with homeowners whose green renovations they oversaw. You can also check with the U.S. Green Building Council’s listing of builders and contractors to find sustainability-focused providers in your geographical area.

3) Renovate Strategically

Remodeling a home is a big task, and it will expend resources no matter how sustainable you are. It’s easy for a project to balloon out of control; once you get started, the “may as well do that, too” frame of mind can take over.

Keep as much of your home intact as you can. Rather than redoing everything, consider what areas will benefit the most from renovations.

If possible, consider first where you can improve your home’s carbon footprint, and then work on achieving the look you have in mind.

4) Choose Eco-Friendly Materials

Select materials that are produced sustainably. Almost anything you’d need, you can get in an eco-friendly form. For example –

• HVAC Systems – Choose the most energy-efficient furnace and air conditioner you can afford that will get the job done for your home.  EPA’S ENERGY STAR website links to efficient appliances, as well as a guide to help you figure out what systems to consider.
• Carpeting – Consider carpeting made from Marmoleum or wool
• Flooring – Get flooring certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to have minimal impact on forest eco systems.
• Plumbing Fixtures – Check with EPA’s WaterSense program to find new low-flow faucets, showerheads, toilets, and other fixtures
• Appliances – Check with EPA’s ENERGY STAR program
• Lighting – Again, check with ENERGY STAR, or review our guide to the best energy-efficient light bulbs for your home or apartment.
• Paint – Choose no-VOC paint to avoid the headaches, nausea and discomfort associated with more conventional paint

5) Plan to Reuse What You Can, Recycle What You Can’t

When I renovated my kitchen, I installed some of the cabinets I removed in the downstairs bathroom. The rest I donated to Community Fork Lift, a home-goods center that accepts donations of all kinds of household goods that can be re-used in construction.

When I replaced my carpeting with wood flooring, the carpeting and padding were recycled.

When I replaced my old refrigerator, my utility company not only picked it up for me, but paid me $50 to haul it away and recycle the parts.

The market for used household goods is substantial. Don’t throw anything anyway unless it is either dangerous to use or too broken to be of any good to anyone.

FINAL TIP

As with a contractor, you should discuss the specifics of sustainability with any suppliers you are considering doing business with.

If they are enthusiastic about sharing their earth-friendly methods with you, they may be a good choice for your project.

With careful planning and help from like-minded professionals, you can successfully complete your renovations with both style and sustainability in mind.

NOTE: Sponsors Like AirControlAZ.com help us provide expert content at no cost to you. Our editorial opinions remain our own.

The post 5 Sustainable, Chic Remodeling Moves appeared first on Big Green Purse.

There are lots of practical and “green” reasons for decluttering your home:

√ Getting rid of extra stuff allows you to share with others.

√ Selling unwanted items earns you extra cash.

√ Freeing up useful space allows you to enjoy your home more.

√ Giving your excess stuff to others is good for the planet because it saves energy, reduces trash, and extends the life of our natural resources.

While these are all smart anti-clutter solutions, there’s actually an even better one:

Decluttering your home is good for your health.

Clutter Can Make It Harder to Breathe

 How often have you been late because you can’t find your keys? Are you constantly arguing with the kids because they’ve misplaced their personal items?

The post 5 Ways Decluttering Your Home Improves Your Health appeared first on Big Green Purse.

If you’re planning to remodel your home this year, think green. From installing energy-efficient windows to painting with no VOC paint, you’ve got dozens of options for sprucing up your home in ways that are eco-friendly and friendly to your pocketbook, too. We’ve teamed up with Thompson Creek Window Company, an ENERGY STAR partner and avid recycler, to offer this step-by-step guide to green home remodeling you’ll love.

1) Research Your Options
The more you know about the choices you have, the better your choices will be. When it comes to being green, you can easily find healthy paint, sustainable flooring, formaldehyde-free furniture, upholstery that does not contain fire retardants, energy-efficient lighting, windows and doors, energy- and water-saving appliances, even landscaping that saves water and creates native habitat.

2) Make a File, Scrapbook or Pinterest Page
Collect ideas in a file, make an idea scrapbook, or create some Pinterest pages from pins you find on other green home and design pages. Tear pictures out of magazines or write down ideas and organize them into folders by topic or room. Take your files when you meet with your designer so she/he can get a sense not just of what you need functionally, but also what kind of styles you like and what priorities you’ve set for going green.

3) Figure Out Your Budget
Do you have a fixed budget you need to design and build around? Or are you driven by the project itself and will figure out costs once you know what you want? Where can you make trade-offs that will still get you what you want at a price you can afford? For example, while you may not be able to afford solar paneling for your entire home, you can buy more energy-efficient windows and products that lower your bottom line.

4) Investigate Local, State & Federal Tax Credits
Tax credits allow you to deduct a portion of your green construction costs from your annual income taxes. These are usually used to offset the cost of upgrading the energy features on your home so you will save energy overall. They could cover some of the cost of installing solar collectors, retroffiting windows, and adding insulation to your attic, walls, and crawl spaces.

5) Look for Utility Rebates
Many utilities pay rebates when you trade in an older model refrigerator, furnace or air conditioner. When I traded in my refrigerator, the utility company paid me $50 to pick up my old one and recycle it, and $150 for buying the most energy-efficient model in the size I needed. Check your utility’s website for rebates available in your area.

6) Hire a Green Team to Draw Up Your Plans
Find an architect or design/build company that is experienced in green home remodelling. Lots of companies will say they’re green because it’s so popular. You want to see examples of what they’ve actually done. Get a couple of competitive bids from design companies in your area, but choose not only based on price but also on quality of work. Make sure you check their references and if possible, see some of the actual remodels they’ve done. Then start having fun with the actual design. Your team will draw up plans and handle getting permits.

7) Use Green Subcontractors
During your remodel you don’t have to exclusively use green builders but see if your contractor can help you find professionals and companies that are committed to your green goals.

8) Choose Non-Toxic Eco-Friendly Building Materials
Many pressed wood products contain formaldehyde, a toxic chemical that is linked to cancer. Wall-to-wall carpeting and some upholstery may be treated with fire retardants. Go to showrooms, visit green festivals in your area, and search “green building materials” online. Most paint companies offer any color you want in a no VOC option, which will reduce the fumes that cause headaches and flu-like symptoms some people get when their homes are painted with conventional paint.

9) Make Saving Energy a Priority
One way green home remodeling pays for itself is through lower energy bills. Beef up the insulation in your attic, walls and crawl spaces. Choose lighting that can use highly efficient LED bulbs. Install a smart thermostat to make it easy to save energy when you’re not home. Install double- or triple-paned windows that keep hot air out in the summer and warmed air in in the winter. Pick overhangs, curtains, blinds, and shades that will boost window efficiency.

10) Minimize Waste During Demolition and Construction
Much of what you would normally throw away during demolition and construction can actually be recycled, that includes carpeting, and wood, old windows. In fact, in 2014, Thompson Creek diverted over 550 tons of raw materials away from landfills and into recycling programs for reuse and redistribution.  Don’t forget to donate what can still be used. For example, Habitat for Humanity will often take old but functional cabinets. You can upcycle, too – turn old windows into cold frames for the garden; recycle wood from the construction into wood chips.

11) Document and Share
Throughout the process, take pictures that you can pin on Pinterest or post on Facebook. Or, write an article for your local newspaper. What you’re doing is important and can inspire others to do the same.

More About Thompson Creek

Thompson Creek Window Company is committed to saving energy and natural resources. Not only do all their windows exceed the 2015 ENERGY STAR criteria, but they are committed to reducing the amount of waste they send to the landfills. You can learn more about your window options and how to recycle your materials here.

The post Earth Week 2015: Green Home Remodeling You’ll Love appeared first on Big Green Purse.