Whether you’re renovating your home or having a new one built, there’s an excellent chance that you want it to be as eco-friendly as possible. In order to accomplish this, using green building products and practices can make a significant difference. This includes choosing everything from eco friendly flooring options, such as Forbo Marmoleum tile, to non-toxic paint and dual flush toilets with sinks. It also means ensuring that the attic is well-insulated and LED lighting systems and skylights are included to reduce energy consumption throughout the interior and exterior of your home.
Whether it’s at home, work, shopping, or engaged in other activities, most Americans will spend about 90% of their day inside. Unfortunately, some pollutants tend to have higher concentrations indoors than outdoors. This can be as much as two to five times higher. For those individuals that are more susceptible to indoor pollutants than others, such as young children, older adults, and individuals that have some type of cardiovascular or respiratory condition or disease, this can create adverse effects.
There are a variety of factors that can potentially contribute to indoor pollution. It’s been noted that there has actually been an increase in some types of pollutants. Even when contractors are using energy-efficient materials and practices, pollutants can come into the environment if there isn’t enough cross-air ventilation. Synthetic building materials are also being used more often, which also ads to indoor pollution. When it comes to specific products, however, these are some of the major ones that can increase indoor pollution:
- Furniture
- Household cleaning products
- Personal care products
- Pesticides
There are several solutions that can assist you with addressing indoor pollutants, which includes using eco-friendly household and personal care products. Choosing non-toxic pesticide alternatives for your garden and landscaped areas can also reduce these. When you replace drafty windows and doors and seal any other types of cracks, this, too, can minimize outdoor pollutants entering a home.
If you live in an older home that is being renovated, for example, it would be a good idea to consider upgrading your heating, cooling, and air conditioning system to one that is Energy Star approved. These new systems have a longer lifespan than their counterparts. When well-maintained, which includes changing their filters on a regular basis, this can assist with minimizing indoor air pollution.
There are other Energy Star approved appliances that may be of interest. This includes WaterSense labeled toilets. It has been demonstrated that an average family can save as much as 13,000 gallons of water a year along with $130.00 on their water bills with these new models.
When redoing your floors, you can choose Farbo Marmoleum tile or an environmentally-friendly wood. It’s important to note that Marmoleum tile has a lifespan of at least 40 years when it is well-maintained. This tile can be used throughout the entire house and is easy to keep clean. If you want to have a bit of carpet in your bedroom or living room, you can always choose a few colorful area rugs or runners.
While the finishing touches are being placed on your home, you can continue to discuss these and other steps to take with your contractor. Since learning how to be eco-friendly and energy-efficient is an ongoing process, there will be even more products, services, and other resources available to enhance your daily life. Furthermore, as you add to your knowledge base, you will have the opportunity to share what you learn with family and friends. It’s highly likely that you will inspire them to make changes in their lives and homes as well.