Imagine supports design and production methodologies that are eco-friendly towards the earth we inhabit. For our clients who are concerned about the effects our daily activities have on the carbon emissions into our atmosphere, Imagine provides and encourages sustainable practices known as Green Design. While Imagine will be providing much information about the benefits of Green Design in the future, here's some information that will help those interested in reducing their carbon footprint make a difference today in their daily lives.
Our carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that we leave in the atmosphere during our lifetime. Nearly everything we do results in the emissions of CO2. From breathing, buying food, our transportation systems, caring for our ourselves, and our homes, we can't stop the emissions of carbon from our daily activity. But we can certainly reduce it.
Today, CO2 is being released three times faster into the atmosphere than it can be reabsorbed. For businesses, the production, processing, transportation, and disposal of the goods and services we provide add to our carbon footprint.
• Whenever possible, check out the availability of renewable energy to help power our homes and businesses. The wind, sun, water, and other renewable energy sources can help offset the depletion of, and reliance on fossil fuels.
The Green Power Network at www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/ may help you find a green electricity supplier.
• Plant trees to create shade in the summertime and block cold winds in the winter.
• In warm climates, a light-colored home stays cooler. For regions with long winters or cold climates, the sun helps a dark color home stay warmer.
• To avoid losing heat through your roof, insulate your attic. Make sure you have at least 11 inches of insulation in a cold climate.
• To keep your house warm, close shades, blinds, or draperies at night.
• Have your furnace checked out yearly. If it's more than 10 years old, consider replacing it.
• Make sure your thermostat is located in an area that accurately represents the temperature in your home or office.
• Set your water-heater thermostat to 120°F. Hotter temperatures mean adding more cold water to make the temperature comfortable.
• Make sure that radiators and other heaters have enough space around them.
• To cool off, open windows in the evening. If possible, run a large fan in the attic at the same time.
• To increase natural light, paint your walls in light colors, keep window coverings open, and make sure you have clean windows.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with halogen bulbs, or low-energy compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Turn off lights that are not needed, have nightlights on a timer, and have motion sensors on any outdoor security lights.
• When buying new appliances, look for certified energy-efficient equipment with the Energy Star logo.
• Use intelligent chargers that reduce their energy use to a trickle when the appliance is charged. They are labeled "-dV."
• Use a "Smart Power Strip" that shuts off power to all sockets when a television, computer, or other electronic device is turned off.
• Unplug your equipment when you're not using it. By plugging multiple devices into one power strip, you can unplug them all at once.
• Reduce the brightness of your television screen. With LCD screens, turn down the backlight. Rarer-projection televisions are the most energy-efficient, followed by LCD models. Plasma and CRT televisions are the least energy-efficient.
• Unplug chargers that are not in use. This includes cell phone chargers.
• Select a gas range oven over an electric range oven.
• Although they are very inefficient at thawing frozen foods, microwave ovens are very efficient when heating small portions and leftovers.
• Prepare enough for several meals. It takes much less energy to reheat leftovers.
• Use the smallest pan possible. Smaller pans require less energy.
• Unless you're making pastry, bread, or a soufflé, do not preheat the oven. It will heat up quickly enough so as not to affect cooking times or quality.
• A few minutes before your food is cooked, turn off the heat. Then, help heat your home by leaving the oven door open.
• Locate your fridge or freezer away from your stove, or any registers or radiators.
• Keep the coils behind your fridge or freezer dust free, and defrost regularly.
• Keep the contents of your refrigerator organized so that you can find things quickly.
• For drinks, only boil the amount of water you need. Otherwise, you are releasing excess CO2 into the atmosphere.
• Washing dishes by hand is generally more energy-efficient, especially for smaller volumes of dishes.
• Use a water and energy-efficient dishwasher.
• Instead of paper towels or disposable wipes, use reusable cloths or sponges.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Install low flow shower heads.
• When brushing your teeth, turn off the faucet.
• Opt for a low maintenance haircut that needs less blow drying and curling.
• Use a rechargeable electric shaver instead of disposable blades.
Source:
Joanna Yarrow, How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Andrea Rogers, Grass Roots Media
If you know of any simple eco-friendly green living solutions you would like to pass along, please send us an email at:
See Simple Tips for Green Living (Part 2)