Chicago's Greenest Home
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Here are some easy ideas from the designers of the Smart Home that you can try in your home:
Place furniture near natural light sources. Working near a window means you have less need for electric lights.
Harness the power of the sun. Consider adding solar appliance chargers, solar cookers and rooftop solar panels to your home.
Purchase sustainable materials. If you are planning to purchase new materials for you home, consider bamboo, cork or natural linoleum flooring; Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood cabinets; recycled glass tiles; recycled paper countertops; and many other readily available, eco-friendly materials.
Reduce cooking energy costs. In terms of energy efficiency, microwaves are better than toaster ovens and toaster ovens are better than regular ovens.
Turn down the thermostat. For each degree you turn down the thermostat in the winter, you save about 1 percent on what it costs to heat your home and you trim your carbon emissions. Start by kicking it down a notch while you sleep and are away from the home.
Use your dishwasher. Dishwashers use 8.7 gallons of water per load; hand-washing dishes takes as much as 20 gallons of water per load. Be sure you scrape your dishes instead of rinsing them and use a full load every time you run your dishwasher.
Choose low- or no-VOC products. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are often found in paints, thinners and carpet adhesive and can negatively affect indoor air quality.
Take a tour of the Smart Home
Place furniture near natural light sources. Working near a window means you have less need for electric lights.
Harness the power of the sun. Consider adding solar appliance chargers, solar cookers and rooftop solar panels to your home.
Purchase sustainable materials. If you are planning to purchase new materials for you home, consider bamboo, cork or natural linoleum flooring; Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood cabinets; recycled glass tiles; recycled paper countertops; and many other readily available, eco-friendly materials.
Reduce cooking energy costs. In terms of energy efficiency, microwaves are better than toaster ovens and toaster ovens are better than regular ovens.
Turn down the thermostat. For each degree you turn down the thermostat in the winter, you save about 1 percent on what it costs to heat your home and you trim your carbon emissions. Start by kicking it down a notch while you sleep and are away from the home.
Use your dishwasher. Dishwashers use 8.7 gallons of water per load; hand-washing dishes takes as much as 20 gallons of water per load. Be sure you scrape your dishes instead of rinsing them and use a full load every time you run your dishwasher.
Choose low- or no-VOC products. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are often found in paints, thinners and carpet adhesive and can negatively affect indoor air quality.
Take a tour of the Smart Home
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