Green 101- Get the Answers!
 Why Go Green?
By now, you have probably become very aware of the need for conscious consuming. We all have different reasons for wanting to make changes in our choices; be it concerns over Global Warming, a healthier lifestyle for ourselves and our families, and/or having less of an impact on the Earth. As owners of a green business, our reason was all of the above. To read more about LGH, go to our about us page.
The question then becomes...
How Do I Go Green?
Let’s start with the simple and build our way up.
Energy - Change your incandescent light bulbs out today for a more energy efficient one. Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL) can cut energy costs immediately.* Remember that CFL’s contain a low amount of Mercury and need to be disposed of as a hazardous waste. Don’t throw them in a landfill!! Low Emitting Diodes (LED) use less energy than a CFL and last longer. If you’re looking for a quick way to start saving now, buying a CFL is the obvious choice, but if you’re taking on a larger task, remodeling your kitchen let’s say, then LED’s may be the right choice for you. The market is now allowing for choices in under-cabinet, architectural, and landscape lighting. You can now use a screw in or 2 Pin LED substitute for an MR16. LED’s for track lighting is even an option theses days.
- Insulate the house. If you stand by a window or a door and feel the slightest draft, what you’re really feeling is your money floating by. Weather-stripping windows and doors is such a low cost solution to start saving right now. Check your attics for drafts, there are now green insulation options that will not only save you money, but will contribute to a healthier home.
- Draw the shades. Common sense, right? Close shades on the side of your home that receives the most direct light from 11-4PM. Your air conditioner has to work so hard to compensate for the amount of heat entering your house at that time of the day. The energy used by your air conditioner can be up to 30% of your utility bill, that’s especially true in South Florida. Give the AC and your wallet a break by using this simple step.
- Unplug the appliances. If you’re not using it, unplug it. Appliances like TV’s, stereos, and computers can use of to 15% of your total energy usage. Get a power strip at your local hardware store or computer store and just switch it off until you’re ready to use it again. The easier you make it, the easier it will be to actually implement the changes.
- Lighten up (or paint smart). If you’re home is ready for a new coat of paint, why not pick a lighter color that reflects light rather than a dark one that will absorb the sun’s heat into the house? For that matter, painting your roof white is a quick way to cool the house dramatically. The technology has improved so greatly in NO or LOW VOC paints that we can now offer wall paint that does not limit you to white or pastels for your home. We offer a paint choice that uses optimum solar reflectance (up to 95%) is achieved by Integrating true Infrared Reflective pigments allows solar reflectance across all color spectrums. More about Heat Reflective Paint.
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