Greening Your Home and Garden

The TV show "The World's Greenest Homes" recently started me thinking about how can everyone make a contribution to reducing the carbon footprint.

The TV series mainly showed major renovations or new homes in which the owners made significant attempts to "go green". Most folks are not in the position - they already have a home, and most likely a hefty mortgage that may preclude incorporating the changes and ideas promoted by the TV show.

However, the need for greening your home and garden is an imperative for all - and so the impact of even simple, small steps can have a real impact.

Just imagine if all homes in the USA converted their light bulbs from incandescent to compact fluorescent ones - not only are they energy-smart, using about 70% less energy, they last up to ten times longer.

Such a small step could have huge impact because of the sheer volume! And, then there is the ripple effect - less energy used - less fossil fuels consumed - less carbon emissions from power stations - and, BINGO! - cleaner air.

And, the cost is not really greater than the usual light bulb replacement - so your pocketbook is saved.

Now imagine if everyone also made a serious attempt at recycling - green materials to the compost heap, keeping electronics out of the trash bin, glass and plastics into recycle bins..... yes, it is a bit of a pain.... but it is not a total change of lifestyle that's required, but more an understanding of what, you the homeowner, can do to help..... and, IT IS NOT NEGLIGIBLE.

It was suggested that if everyone in say the UK just changed 5 household products from their usual brands to eco-friendly ones the difference would be huge.

Other steps like low flow shower heads, dual flush loos, repairing leaky faucets, installing more ceiling fans, using a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water..... none of these will run your budget into the red or be beyond the average household capacity.

If you are ever in a position to undertake a major home renovation or build a new house - do watch that TV show - yes, there is a lot of info on the internet, but the TV series will show things in context and also many different applications and ideas that can be adapted. Just Google to find the TV show.

For that matter, you can even get ideas from it for smaller budgets.

The good news is that whatever you do choose it will make a contribution to a cleaner planet and, especially in regard to energy efficiency choices you will significantly reduce your utility bills and the consumption of fossil fuels.