Goal For The Green

Guest post by Amanda Green

When it comes to going green, one of the greatest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is by making your home more efficient. In addition to being one of our greatest expenditures, homes are also often one of the greatest ways in which we use energy.  However,with a few quick and fairly affordable updates, you can have your home running more efficiently in no time – allowing you to both go green and save green.

English: The carbon footprint as it is understood by people. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Insulation
Poor insulation can cost a home hundreds of dollars in utilities every year because they allow both hot and cold air to easily escape. To ensure that your home’s heating and cooling system isn’t overworked,make sure that your attic is well insulated, and even consider re-insulating your walls if you find that they also lack adequate insulation.

Low Flow Water Supplies

While taking a 5 minute shower is a good way to watch how much water you use on a regular basis,installing low flow shower heads and a ultra high  efficiency toilet or two in your home can greatly reduce the amount of water you use without sacrificing function. These items can be purchased for a relatively inexpensive price, and can be self-installed in a few minutes.

Weatherstripping

If you have an older home, there is a good chance that there are spaces between your exterior doors and their frames, as well as between windows and their frames. These spaces easily allow outside air in and inside air out,which makes your home’s heating and cooling system less efficient.
If you find gaps around your doors and windows, apply weatherstripping to prevent unwanted air flow.

Upgrade Appliances

Older appliances tend to be bigger energy wasters than newer ones.  So, if you can afford to make the switch, consider buying new Energy Star appliances. While the initial upfront cost may be a bit high, the savings that they will provide you with over the course of their life will have them paying for themselves.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources such as solar panels or geothermal units are becoming more affordable than ever before,and they are a great way to lower your utility bills while simultaneously doing something great for the environment. Not only will they reduce your bills, but there are several local,state,and federal grants and tax rebate programs that will put additional cash back in your pocket. Some utility companies will even pay you for putting power back into their system.

Going green, is possibly one of the best things that a person can do for their budget, as well as the environment. However, going green doesn’t have to stop at buying organic or using reusable shopping bags. By making your home more efficient, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, and make an even greater impact in the green movement than those reusable grocery bags ever allowed. Together, we are working toward better tomorrows!

By now you’ve probably finished your Spring Cleaning, and are ready to open up your home, air it out, and let in the fresh air. But, perhaps the biggest and most dreaded job of freshening up your home, is carpet cleaning.

For many of us, carpets hold a soft spot in our hearts. They occupy at least one central area somewhere in our homes.  Lets face it, aside from adding glamor and elegance, they also make any home both comfortable and charming. Plus, there is something to be said about sinking your toes into a nice soft, clean carpet.

Buying carpet is always the easy part, but keeping it clean can be hard to maintain and time consuming.  However, maintaining the cleanliness of your carpet, is the only way to keep its beauty intact for a long period of time. Time, attention, and expertise, are things many of us are short on. So, the task is better left in the hands of experts in the field of professional carpet cleaning, like those found at natural carpet cleaning new york .

Perhaps, the most obvious difference that anyone will get from choosing a natural carpet cleaning company, is a healthier and better environment. Did you know that typical detergents traditionally used in rug cleaning, have been found to be dangerous, not only for the environment, but also for an individual’s over-all health?  This is because they are manufactured using harsh chemicals.

Therefore, it’s important to look for a green carpet cleaning company in your area, that offers safe nontoxic ingredients,that are earth-friendly, and do not release harmful by products into the environment. They should offer cleaners that are organic and made from natural ingredients, and that guarantee that you and your family are safe and free from the effects of harsh detergents and chemicals.

Anything organic is a popular trend nowadays, even in the carpet cleaning industry. So, carpet cleaning companies have to keep up with customer concerns for the environment. This is very important information for people who have ever manifested any signs of allergy, irritation, asthma, coughing or breathing problems that may be associated with traditional forms of carpet cleaning, or have these health concerns to begin with.

The most common yet hard to clean carpet problems for many customers, or DIYers, are toxic chemicals and their removal, or those that stain the carpet, and most commonly, carpets that take too long to dry. Carpets that are too wet, or take 3-4 days to dry, are a breeding ground for mold, mildew and musty smells that are hazardous to your health.

Expert cleaners and certified technicians from organic or green carpet cleaning companies, use only all-natural, holistic, and effective carpet and rug cleaning solutions. Then, they extract the cleaners and soils using fresh, clean, softened water. The next step, is the use of a machine that offers high suction and heat to eliminate soil and restore newness to high traffic areas. The process ends when the carpet is speed dried using down flow fans. There is no waiting for your carpet to dry.

Check your local listings, for a for an expert green carpet cleaning company in your area.  You may be surprised at the other green cleaning services that they may offer.  Together we are working toward a better tomorrow!

Last year, I posted about Growing Spaces Growing Domes, a Colorado Company, that was awarded the designation of a company to watch.  Well, now you can watch them, on HGTV this Friday Night!  You don’t want to miss it.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUBJECT: Geodesic Greenhouse Manufacturer to Appear on HGTV Backyard Makeover Show!   So Be Sure and

Tune in FRIDAY  
June 22nd at 8pm E/P  

PRESS RELEASE:

Growing Spaces, is proud to announce their upcoming appearance on an episode of the very popular show, My Yard Goes Disney. The series features families who win a surprise backyard makeover that is Disney themed. The show is in its second season on HGTV (Home and Garden Television). With around a million viewers in the first season, My Yard Goes Disney, has added additional episodes this year. The Epcot Inspired Backyard episode, will feature a 22’ diameter Growing Dome® greenhouse manufactured and constructed by Growing Spaces® LLC of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It features a family from Orlando, Florida and will air on Friday, June 22nd at 8pm e/p on the HGTV cable station.

“Up to now, Florida was the only state in which we have not had a Growing Dome. This exciting opportunity for this family completes our desire to have a Growing Dome in every state across the USA. We are celebrating that more and more people want to grow their own fresh, organic food. We are thrilled to be at the forefront of education about healthy, green lifestyles,” says Udgar Parsons, co-owner and founder of Growing Spaces. Udgar Parsons, will be on the show with certified Growing Dome installer and founder of Global Children’s Gardens, Alan Werthan, to orchestrate the Growing Dome greenhouse.  Together they will build and share his vision of eco-friendliness.

The lucky family chosen to receive this makeover in Florida, specifically requested a Growing Dome, to represent Disney’s Epcot Center. “The owner’s choice to have this, is showing people’s trend toward being more self-sufficient and proactive about their nutrition,” says Udgar Parsons of Growing Spaces.

The family saw the greenhouse as an image of their love of science, and as a way to grow their own food. This family of five had unsuccessfully tried to grow food in their backyard before the makeover, and lost all of their crops to wildlife grazing. Concerns over food safety, and a desire to provide healthy food for their children led the parents to their dream of a Growing Dome. This dream comes true in the My Yard Goes Disney episode airing on HGTV on Friday, June 22nd at 8pm e/p.

About Growing Spaces®: Growing Spaces’ energy-efficient geodesic greenhouse design gives the ability to grow organic food year round, especially in a four season climate, using solar power. Aiming to be a part of the ‘solution’ to the problems of our times, Growing Spaces models the success of economic viability and social responsibility along with eco-friendliness. Initially designed and built in the Rocky Mountains, Growing Domes® are now found in all 50 states and in 14 countries around the world. The Growing Dome greenhouse, is a solution for sustainable projects that are private and public, and acts as a centerpiece for many schools and institutions that model holistic health. Growing Spaces has been manufacturing Growing Domes for 23 years.   Visit them at www.growingspaces.com