Going Green for Earth Day

Looking to go Green starting with Earth Day this year?

There are plenty of newer resources available that didn't exist just a few short years ago, including building and remodeling products as well as cleaning products.

An easy way to start is to get rid of as many of the toxic cleaning products that you can (be sure to use a safe disposal method for toxic materials) and replace them with Earth-friendly products. I recommend and use Method products, since they're easy to buy (available at Target), reasonably priced, packaged well, do the job, and they even smell good! There are also other products available locally, such as the more established Seventh Generation products that you'll find at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Markets.

The next step is to do any updates or replacements to your home with Earth-friendly products. This means not only those that are non-toxic, but also products that are easily replaced in the environment, or sustainable resources, as well as those that are energy-efficient.

Sustainable resources include bamboo flooring and tiles and countertop materials made with at least partially recycled materials. Although granite countertops are considered to be "natural" materials, they're not sustainable materials since the granite cannot be easily replaced once it's been removed from the earth.

For increasing energy efficiency in your home, the Energy Star tag on appliances is a good sign that there is a level of energy efficiency in that product. However, it's wise to compare the tags to other similar appliances to make sure that you're getting the most efficient product. Be sure to take a look at the Energy Star website for more helpful energy-saving tips.

Other easy fixes are changing the lightbulbs to more energy-efficient types, unplugging (and possibly recycling) the old unused fridge in the garage, changing your sprinkler timers to avoid overwatering, and planting more drought-friendly plants in your garden next time you decide an update is in order. Another easy fix is to increase attic insulation and add an attic fan to help when the weather gets hot here in Santa Clarita.

If you're considering selling your home, focusing on energy efficient and Earth-friendly features in your home can be great selling tools. Be sure to hire a qualified EcoBroker (such as myself!) to assist you in identifying and marketing the Earth-friendly features in your home.

For home buyers, it's best to know what you're getting into and what it will cost to upgrade so you'll not be having energy leakages out of your new home. Talk with your realtor (buyers should seek an EcoBroker as well) about potential upgrades that you can make to the home to increase energy efficiency, including windows, insulation, appliances, and heating and cooling systems.

Buyers may also find that they may have financing options available to include financing the planned energy-efficient upgrades along with the intial funding for their homes, with programs available from Countrywide, Wells Fargo and others.

It's easier than ever to go green, with an abundance of new products and resources available. Even builders are stepping on the bandwagon, with Lennar and KB Home announcing plans to offer green features in many of their upcoming developments.

Stay tuned for more information on exciting new Earth-friendly products, including some amazing new countertop materials!