Florida Today: It’s easy to be green
Filed under: Earth 911 - June 23, 2007
June 23, 2007
BY AUTUMN PHELPS
FLORIDA TODAY
Protect our planet with minor changes in your house
The Florida Green Building Coalition is dedicated to developing homes and communities where the environment takes top priority.
The organization can certify a home with a “green” seal of approval, meaning it meets several energy and water efficiency standards, from having solar water heaters to recycled roof material.
There are no official green home developments in Brevard County — yet. But researchers at The Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa expect that to change in years to come.
“We do see builders doing some things in other communities,” said Eric Martin, senior research engineer at the center. “It won’t be long before (Brevard County builders) realize how beneficial it is.”
Scientists at the Florida Solar Energy Center conduct lab research inside an on-site model of a manufactured home, which features energy-efficient lighting, appliances and other devices to simulate an environmentally sound lifestyle.
“The house acts like somebody’s living here,” Martin said.
That means the water runs to imitate showers, lamps flick on at night and carbon dioxide and moisture are released into the air. It’s the perfect environment to study green living, Martin said.
Going green, a term Americans tend to throw around causally, is a trend that could be crucial to the future of the planet. While most people don’t have the means to bulldoze their homes and start from scratch, there are several small and inexpensive adjustments that can help.
Here are suggestions for making each room of the house a little greener:
Every room
Perhaps you’ve seen those squiggly light bulbs on end displays at Wal-Mart, but passed on by. In case you haven’t heard, they’re called Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs and they save huge amounts of energy. An 18- to 20-watt CFL, for example, emits the same amount of light as a 75-watt incandescent light bulb.
CFLs are a little more expensive (average costs ranging from $3.50 to $7 per bulb, as opposed to an average of 89 cents for incandescent light bulbs. But here’s the payoff: CFLs last 10 times longer.
Another drawback to the energy-saving bulbs is they’re ugly, or at least many people think so.
“I think the lack of beauty has sort of been overcome by practicality,” said Adrienne Henzmann, public affairs coordinator for the Florida Solar Energy Center.
Plus, many retailers are starting to sell CFLs shaped like traditional light bulbs.
A final note about CFLs: They contain a small amount of mercury, so once they burn out, it’s wise to dispose of them at a hazardous waste drop-off. Visit www.earth911.org to find the nearest drop-off location.
Living room
To save on energy costs in your main living space, use common sense. Think back about what Dad used to say: “Turn the TV off if you’re not watching it,” and “Don’t you dare touch that thermostat!”
You might think, “so what?” It’s 99 degrees outside and the humidity is brutal. Why not take it down a few notches?
Understandable, but at least consider cranking up the temperature while away from home. With programmable thermostats, that’s a simple task.
“They’re easy if you’re fairly handy,” said Henzmann, who has a programmable thermostat. “You can program it to keep your house cool when you’re there, then warm it up when you’re not. You don’t have to keep adjusting it.”
Plus, most models are mercury-free and inexpensive, ranging from about $30 to $150. Visit www.prothermostats.com to check out different models.
Other devices that work well in living rooms are digital electricity meters, which measure the amount of real time energy being used in kilowatts, or sometimes more effectively, in dollar amounts.
“Even if you don’t use it, it makes you feel guilty about it,” Henzmann said.
Most meters range from $30 to $200. Visit www.energy
federation.org for examples.
Bedroom
Besides switching off light bulbs, what possibly could make a bedroom greener? An energy-efficient ceiling fan, for starters, could cool things off quickly on a hot summer night. Gossamer Wind series ceiling fans, developed by Danny Parker at the Florida Solar Energy Center, use 40 percent less energy and reduce noise and wobble as well. The fans are available at The Home Depot stores. They cost between $150 and $200. Visit www.gossamerwind.com.
Beyond energy conservation, another way to make the bedroom greener is to purchase organic sheets, which are manufactured with cotton grown without pesticides. Organic products contribute to keeping the air, water and soil chemical-free. Organic sheet sets usually range from $100 to $200. Visit www.thecleanbedroom.com for examples.
Bathroom
In the loo, there’s no better way to conserve than to have an up-to-date toilet. Many pre-1994 toilets have up to 5-gallon tanks, compared to new toilets, which are required to have 1.6-gallon tanks. Replacing a toilet might cost a chunk of money and time, but it’ll save big in the long run.
“From 5 to 1.6 gallons? That’s huge,” Martin said.
Another huge way to save water in the bathroom is by installing aerators on faucets that significantly reduce water flow. The best part is, aerators are cheap. Think in the $10 range. Visit www.niagaraconservation.com for examples.
Kitchen
Bounty may be most efficient at cleaning up kitchen spills, but when it comes to saving the planet, tossing paper towels is not be the best practice. Microfiber cloths are the reusable, green alternative, and cost as little as $5 apiece. Visit www.microfiber.org
And if you must have disposable paper products, take the time at the grocery store to look for paper products made from recycled materials. GreenWise is a popular brand available at Publix supermarkets. Visit www.publix.com/wellness/greenwise/products/Home.do
If you’re looking to invest big in a greener kitchen, the best way to do so is by purchasing an energy efficient dishwasher, refrigerator and range. Energy Star-qualified appliances are your best bet for saving up to 50 percent less on utility bills. Visit www.energystar.gov.
And don’t forget to let your utility company know when you replace appliances. You may qualify for a rebate.
Garage
How many people do you know who have a beer fridge or an extra freezer in their garage? It’s not uncommon, and often is an overlooked culprit to high energy bills. So consider replacing those, too, Martin said.
Willing to make a big investment that’ll eliminate most of your electricity or gas bill? A solar-activated water heater is the best way to do it, Martin said.
They cost between $3,000 and $4,000 up front, but some families might qualify for government rebates. Solar water heaters eliminate an average of 50 to 80 percent off bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Visit www.eere.energy.gov.
The curb
Granted, the end of the driveway is not a room, per se, but could be one of the greenest locations on your property. That’s because it’s where the recycling bins go.
“I would estimate 46 percent of Brevard County recycles,” said Pam Shoemaker, recycling coordinator for Brevard County Solid Waste Management, which covers the unincorporated areas of Brevard.
Some might feel recycling is too much work, or that one person can’t make a difference, but Shoemaker said it’s worth the effort.
“Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run your TV for three hours,” Showmaker said. “Every aluminum can your throw away is equivalent to throwing away a cup of gasoline.”
And all people have to do to have the proper bins delivered to their door for free, is call.
“It’s a very simple process,” Shoemaker said. “Put your stuff in the bins, carry it them to the curb. How much more simple can you make it?”
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