Green Life Blog | Helping you go green…

Hi everyone,

Today we are installing some interesting workspace shelves and rods hanging fabric and ribbon for a local seamstress. A simple job using reclaimed local wood and saving a ton of space for our client!  Now she can reclaim part of her bedroom and keep all of her work in one room of her house.  Making her space more efficient will help her save time and money!

Call for a free consultation today!  202.243.9766

Now that back to school fever is in the air…Time to plan for “greener” lunches!

Make your own or buy Reusable Sandwich Bags & Wrappers!

Here is an idea from Shelterrific!

A place where you can buy - at one of our favorite websites for Artists - Etsy!

Some websites show you how to make your own!

Start early and have your child make it with you and tell them why this is so important!

Happy Greening! ~ Katie Martin

We just saw someone who had a gas water heater outside of their home to be picked up with bulk trash!  NO No NO nooooooo!

Just click here to find out where the nearest recycling center is for these things at OurEarth.org!  Don’t let your washer and dryers end up in a landfill!!!  Please!!!

Also the Steel Recycling Institute had a great resource online!

RECYCLE THESE LARGE ITEMS!!!

Yes, we all know that rain is free…but do you use that to save money for you and your gardening?

Harvest, collect, store and dispense rainwater now! Available at all Home Depot stores is Fiskars new Rain Barrel!

Check out their webpage here!

Let us install one of these for you today right next to your compost bin!

Happy Gardening!

When you start to think about green renovations, typically you should think first about energy efficiency.  One very easy way to really save energy is to insulate your walls and other holes that typically need to be “plugged”.  Our favorite resource is Green Fiber.

This cellulose fiber option can be blown into walls with ease!

Quick notes here on how to easily make eco-friendly changes in your home and work places:

Get an Energy Audit: You can get one for free from most local energy companies. It will tell you how well you are using your energy and how you can make changes.  There are companies out there that are charging to do this.  You can get this done for free typically when you are installing new windows, doors, siding and other major renovations done.  If your renovators don’t know what this -  move on to the next guy.  We can do this or for you as well!
Programmable thermostat: Install one and save up to 15% on energy costs. If you do not have the money or the time to install this type of thermostat, a quick and easy way to save energy is to just turn the temp up in the summer right before you leave and turn the temp down right before you leave.  It is simple and can become part of your routine!
Light bulbs: Replace inefficient traditional bulbs with energy-efficient CFLs.
Phantom Power: Even when they’re turned off, appliances like cell phone chargers, TVs and household electronics use electricity. So unplug them or connect them to a power strip you can unplug.  Some power strips also have phantom power -so be sure to unplug the strip as well!
Old, inefficient appliances: Replace appliances like your washer and dryer, dishwasher etc. with Energy Star products and you will save as much as 30% on your monthly energy bills.
Turn off those lights: Not in a room? Turn off those lights and get comfortable using only what you need.
Thermostat settings: Set it at 70 or lower in cold months and 78 or higher in hot months. You’ll save 3% in costs for every degree you change.
Water heating: Heating your water accounts for about 13% of your home energy costs. So wash your clothes in cold, shorten your showers, and wrap your tank with jacket insulation.
Regular maintenance: Your air conditioner and heater are like your car. Keep them tuned and you’ll get more efficient performance.
Increase ceiling insulation: Increasing your insulation to up to R-38 to reduce heating costs by 5-25%.
Swimming pools: Filter your pool and spa before noon or after 6 p.m.
High-efficiency windows: Planning to replace your windows? Choose Energy Star windows and reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 15%.
Solar at home: Is it right for you? There are tax credits and rebates that make this a great solution for homeowners.  We can also make solar panels for you from refurbished solar power pieces and wood!  Same output for less money!

At Work - a few pointers:

Computer monitors: Enable those energy saving features when in use.
Not at work?: Turn off your computer when and if you can. If the office is empty over the weekend, consider what else you can turn off on Friday when everyone leaves.
LCD vs CRT: An LCD monitor uses considerably less energy. A 17” LCD: around 35 watts. A 17” CRT: 90 watts.
Lights out: When employees leave their office or meeting room, encourage them to turn off those lights.
Heating and cooling: Use time controls to manage your thermostat during working hours. 
Renewable energy systems: Does it make sense for your business to switch to solar? There are now tax credits and rebates that make this a viable option for many businesses.

Have one person in charge of reducing waste at your office…it may warrant a raise for them and reduction in costs for you.  A win-win situation!

Well - as we all know, we are trying our best to stay sane in this economy.  One way is to make sure you take a vacation - even if it is a cheap one or some sort of “Staycation”. The stress of the economy will be waiting for you when you come back!

When traveling, think about green hotels and eco-tourism.  Here is a small website I found that is growing:

http://www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com/

There are other ways to find green hotels in the destinations you are hoping to vacation.  Main thing is to read.  Read the website and find out what the hotel is doing.  Kimpton, Westin and Sofitel brands are using windpower and adding a new eco-friendly amenities to their list.

Ask us about some of the greenest places on earth to visit!

Posting our promos here will make it easy to communicate with all of our followers on Twitter and beyond.

We have had several opportunities to help people make better use of their homes and offices with very simple and sometimes down right cheap improvements!

If you think your home or office is in need of some dire help and you know you will not win a free make-over from any of the cable networks, call Miguel for a free green consultation at 202.243.9755.  You can also email us at greenlifedc@gmail.com

Typically estimates are free - but for the month of August - we are going that extra mile.  When you call for a free improvement estimate, we will also add a free 30 minutes green consultation on how to make simple changes in your home or office without remodeling.  You will be surprised at the fun and interesting things you can do to make your world greener!

We are installing new bathroom fixtures in a current home remodeling project.  We love Oxygenics products and we always recommend them for our clients.  This company has one of the most efficient shower heads on the market and it is beautiful!

One of the easiest things you can do to update your bathroom (and save energy) is installing an Oxygenics shower head like this or a Water Lily brand.  You can also check out a few other brands that places like Home Depot and Lowe’s sell.  Don’t miss out!  Get a new faucet for your sink while you are at it…this way it will match!

With all the different companies in the DC area trying to sell you their greenwares…why not stop and smell the roses?  Literally.  Planting a plant or flowering bush such a rose bush that comes back every year is wonderful for the environment and for you!  It helps the bee colonies, makes your garden smell sweet and will give you a bit of exercise.  Pruning can be almost a daily thing when caring for a rose bush in the summertime.  Your grandmother had the green idea many years ago.  Start planting your garden today. You do not have to be an expert.  If you need an expert, we know a few.

Be sure you do not over-fertilize either!!!  Please!

Happy Gardening!