Saturday, November 25th, 2017
Taking the step to improve the energy efficiency of your home offers a plethora of benefits for you and your household. You do not just contribute to a fresher and greener community, you also get the added benefit of reducing your household expenses.
Whether you own or rent a home, and whether or not renovation is affordable for you, there are various ways to begin switching to a greener home. Smart energy consumption should be your family’s new mantra.
A Cool Roof
You can always begin with a cool roof. This is no less than your first line of defense against the ravaging elements outdoors. Make sure to have a roof that reflects the rays of the sun. Doing this will help reduce the heat that emanates from your roof, thus, improving the overall coolness of your home – no need to turn on air-conditioning.
The cool roof can be done by painting it with a reflective color or the use of tiles (the latter offer a different level of coolness both figurative and literal). Shingles and sheet covering can also have the same effect.
It could be costly at first since you have to add a few features to your roof but it is going to save you a lot of money on energy bills so it’s more than worth it in the long run.
Constricted Doors and Windows
Do not let cool air escape. One effective way to do this is to have tight doors and windows.
If you have aluminum window frames, then it’s time to change them. Vinyl or wood is a better alternative.
As for the windows, you can try the low-E (emissivity) glass panes. This is a kind of energy efficient glass that was specifically designed to prevent heat from escaping through the windows. These come with an invisible coating which can reduce heat transfer and, eventually, reduce your carbon footprint.
Use Energy-Saving Appliances and Fixtures
Everyone seems to be signing up for the energy-saving bandwagon. You can see this with the constant improvements on gadgets and equipment, with each one surpassing the first in terms of energy consumption.
Speak of using less power, you must also check the Energy Star rating of each appliance. This symbol is backed by the government where people use products that are energy efficient and can help save money.
The label of Energy Star is supposed to symbolize the reduction of greenhouse emissions and pollutants brought about by the misuse or inefficient energy use. Check out the list of energy efficient lighting, air-conditioning units, and electrical appliances.
Just Do It
Just like the Nike campaign, you can always begin any endeavor by just doing it, especially when you are stuck with what you have. If there is no way, at the moment, to change the appliances and fixtures that you have at home, then you can follow these quick tips –
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Wednesday, September 13th, 2017
We all live in an era where energy efficiency is the hottest trend. But have you ever stopped to think what an energy efficient home is?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an energy-efficient home design is one that has a high score on energy efficiency. This Score reflects the energy efficiency of a home based on the home’s structure and heating, cooling, and hot water systems (Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-home-design)
The Natural Climate
It is important, nay, crucial to know the natural climate in your region. Consider the conditions of the winds, the skies, and the sun. Get your hands on a sun path diagram so you can find out which rooms the natural lighting will seep through. Take note also of obstructions such as telephone poles, trees, and nearby buildings.
Apart from the sun path diagram, you can also obtain a wind rose which will show the rate of prevailing winds. The U.S. Department of Commerce has its own wind data collection. These are based on various airport locations so it might be easy for you to find one that is near your would-be home.
Knowing the predominant sky conditions will also help you set up your energy-efficient home. Throughout the year, does your area have clear, overcast or partly cloudy skies? Take advantage of natural light as much as you can. This will greatly reduce your electrical bill since you won’t be depending a lot on artificial lighting.
Just to give you an idea, overcast skies are three times brighter at the peak of the sky’s dome than the horizon. Predominantly overcast areas include the Pacific Northwest where you can maximize free natural lighting. With this in mind, you can now be aware of your window placement so that you also won’t have unwanted glare.
The building orientation which includes the shape of your home will also greatly influence cooling or heating requirements. The best energy-saving orientation is to have your home face the south when you’re from the Northern Hemisphere.
This setup will help you capture solar gain during the wintry months and block solar gain during summer.
Choose Energy-efficient Building Materials
Concrete or concrete foams. This can be sandwiched by two-layered insulation materials. This will then become a permanent part of the house whether through freestanding walls or building blocks.
Rigid foam. This can be used to insulate your home but can now be made from natural sources such as hemp, bamboo, and kelp. Rigid foam is also widely used in the creation of surfboards, turbine blades, and some furniture.
Rigid foam also offers heat and moisture resistance, better acoustics, and protection from pests and mold.
Straw bales. These weigh 50-90 pounds each. You would need 300 medium-sized bales to construct a 2,000 square foot house.
And the great news is? They can last for thousands of years.
Other materials such as recycled steel, foam insulators sandwiched between plywood, plastic composite lumber, and earth can also be used.
Invest in Energy-efficient Appliances
Reduce energy costs by installing Energy Star-rated appliances. You can potentially save up to 70% when you choose these.
An Energy Star is a government-backed symbol. It is there to measure energy efficiency, reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, and for consumers to save on their energy bills.
Green Furniture
Just as you would choose your appliances or your building materials, make sure that your furniture materials are also made from natural, energy-efficient sources. An example is our Uttermost Living Room Avner Wooden Cube Table here at McCreery’s Home Furnishings (Figure 1).
Constructed almost entirely of sustainable, plantation-grown mango wood, this bunching table offers invaluable storage and style in an elegantly casual, waxed driftwood finish.
Tags: Energy Star, energy-efficiency, energy-efficient home, green home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sustainable design, sustainable living
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Thursday, November 17th, 2016
More and more people are becoming environmentally-conscious these days. The green design for homes has become a standard of sorts and it is no surprise that it is now gaining popularity. Having a green home means owning a place that is environment friendly and has ergonomic designs. This is a design that appeals to those who want to conserve what’s left of the planet. This is also the chosen ambience for people who want to live a healthy lifestyle.
Sustainability Is Piping Hot
Just like other fields of design, interior design will forever be tied to the ever-changing styles. What’s in or out with regard to interior design is almost always what’s in or out in the world of fashion. Should you design goal be about renovation, redecoration or architectural detailing, every interior designer must know what the hottest or classic trends are.
Know that in the design industry, these days, the fastest-growing section is interior design sustainability. You can now practice rain water collection if you want to your home’s water needs or you can buy furniture made with sustainable materials like bamboo.
Highlight Green
The ASID or American Society of Interior Designers strongly believes that green design must be included in every interior designer’s approach these days. The reduction of environmental impact does not just lengthen Mother Earth’s day but could also make your home a healthier place to live in.
Use Energy-Wise Stuff
One basic way to go green on your interior design is to efficiently use every bit of space that is available in your home. Use harmful construction materials to a bare minimum. Live in micro-houses or apodments. These are solutions that are less than 300 square feet and already come with amenities such as a refrigerator and a microwave.
Every interior designer must also work in maximizing doors and windows so that more light could come in. With ample natural lighting comes energy savings. Use wood flooring, furniture and other home products that come from renewable sources. Have water-saving toilets set up.
If you want to be surer about the source of your materials, then talk to the suppliers.
Say Yes to Waste Reduction
Decorative stuff and furniture can be easily repurposed these days. If you are truly environmentally-conscious, you can refurbish or a better option is to decide on a style that you would want for the rest of your life then invest in furniture pieces that would last as heirloom pieces.
Use fabrics, tiles and carpets that were made from recycled materials.
Plan Lighting Efficiency
Another part of your plan is to be clever about the incorporation of light in your home. Use skylights and windows more effectively. Maximize daylight by using these parts of your home and minimizing artificial lighting.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
You may or may not believe this but the color that you use to paint the interior or exterior parts of your home can spell a huge difference in light and heat absorption. The hottest summer months require cooler and lighter colors such as greens and blues. These hues can reduce room temperature by as much as 6-10 degrees.
Use New Window Treatments
Do not forget to consider the drapes, curtains and blinds. These can also help in the reduction of energy costs. You might think that window treatments are mere decorative items but they are, in fact, choices that can make a huge difference.
Drapes, for instance, are effective in keeping out drafts in winter seasons while shutters and blinds keep the warmth outdoors.
Landscape Your Way to Green Living
Lastly, you can plant trees right where the sun rises. This will reduce the amount of heat that goes through your windows during the day. Eventually, you will observe how your energy costs are greatly reduced.
You see, green living is tantamount to living a life of substantial savings.
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Thursday, October 13th, 2016
Eco-friendly or green interiors are designs that center on the improvement of air quality and the reduction of impact on the environment. A lot of Americans spend about 90% of their time inside their homes. This is where, unfortunately, most pollutants are also found.
You should always consider people who are living in your home. The aesthetics of your home shouldn’t be your only concern. Safety is a factor that must be prioritized as well as the health of everyone living in a single place.
Home design, therefore, must be able to balance safety and aesthetics by coming up with a green design.
So, are you ready to create this so-called sustainable design?
Decorate with Plants
There is no better element to make your home a green place than to place plants inside your home. Plants are great air filters and are also effective removers of chemicals. They also have health benefits to offer while giving your home that natural, fresher ambience. If you want to improve the quality of indoor air, then be sure to bring in bamboo palm, peace lilies or Gerbera daisies.
Bring in the Sunlight
One other eco-friendly way of creating a green environment is to let in a good amount of sunlight. You should maximize daylight so that you could avoid wasting electrical energy on those bright lamps.
Open shades and use skylights to bring in a tremendous amount of sunlight into your home. Having ample light also means fewer pollutants, meaning, you and your loved ones become much healthier.
You can further the energetic and fresh aura in your home by opening those windows. You can even make them greener through the application of special coatings that would reflect the sunlight while providing insulation. These should keep your home quite warm during those cold seasons.
Say goodbye to heating or cooling equipment because of your newly-coated windows.
Save Energy with Proper Lighting
Using energy-efficient lighting can help both the user and the environment. Compact fluorescent lighting saves energy as well as electrical power. This also prevents greenhouse gas emission as well as pollutants.
When buying lighting, be sure to read the labels and find the ones that are energy-efficient.
Go Organic
Another way to establish an eco-friendly home is to find organic stuff. Do away with particleboard, plastics and chromed metal.
Find furniture that is manufactured using organic materials. This can be made from wood blocks, stone or marble. Don’t fret about design because there is a lot to choose from. There are also customized designs for bamboo and other wooden furniture.
As for the flooring, be sure to use stone flooring like marble. You could also use wooden parquet or pick laminated flooring.
As for your pillows, mattresses, bedding and carpets, be sure to find the wool-stuffed ones. This is so you won’t have to worry much about dust mites. These mites can cause allergies, thus, they’re not great for your health so always choose organic stuff.
Say No to VOC
VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. These are harmful to anyone’s health. These are commonly found in paints. So, when you paint your house or are about to buy stuff for your home, be sure to check for those that do not emit VOCs. The highest you could go should be those low VOC paints.
It is great to have eco-friendly interiors. It won’t just benefit you as a homeowner but also the people who live with you in your home. You must do your share in saving the planet, after all, just like the rest of the world – it’s the only home you’ve got.
Tags: eco-friendly interior design, eco-friendly interiors, energy efficient living, energy-efficiency, energy-efficient home, green home, green interior design, green interiors, green living, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
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Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016
Do you believe that your house is a system? You can easily save money and even improve the performance of your home if you are willing to take cost-effective measures. These steps can significantly reduce building load, eventual appliance and furniture repairs, etc.
Target the Exteriors First
The most effective way of improving your home’s energy efficiency is to look at your walls, doors and windows. Make sure that the walls are well insulated. Only when these are already considered green should you begin looking at other systems such as lighting, heating, cooling and appliances.
Set Up Effective Insulation
Minus effective insulation, a home will have heat flowing profusely out of the walls. This is especially catastrophic during winter. See to it that you use the least amount of energy, though, in heating or cooling the house.
Houses without wall insulation or has wall cavities should have blown-in insulation. This will up the level of comfort and cost-efficiency so if you still have uninsulated walls, it’s best to look into having a professional installer do the job. For homes with damaged or old insulation, on the other hand, should undergo insulation upgrade.
Meet the Energy Auditor
You can begin your path towards green living by talking to an energy auditor. This green home professional has expertise in choosing the right insulation materials such as fiberglass, foam or cellulose. Such materials can help keep heat or coolness inside the walls of a home. The keywords that you need to remember are these – properly installed. This means the insulation was installed by a contractor using the right assessment and installation tools. The contractor, for example, uses infrared camera to check for void in walls.
Improve or Replace Windows
If the windows in your home are already old and leaky, then this may be the time to have them replaced with energy-efficient types. If you’re not willing to say goodbye to your windows just yet, then you could look into weather-stripping or having storm windows.
Window replacement may not be a cheap project but it definitely saves you money in the long run. This could also improve the level of comfort in your home.
Plant Trees and Shrubs
If you are living in an older house with obvious poor insulation and damaged windows, then know that having good landscaping can save a lot of energy while you’re still planning the huge architectural project. Deciduous trees that are planted on the west side of the house could help block infrared radiation. See also that the insulation is upgraded and your home meets Energy Star requirements.
Check the Old Furnace
Furnaces that were built before 1992 have a standing pilot that wastes about 35% of fuel. It is also possible that such furnaces are almost at the end of their service lives.
Invest in a condensing furnace as this offers an annual efficiency of no less than 90%. This kind wastes less than 10% of the natural gas and could help save 27% on your heating bill.
Furnaces that were installed beyond 1991 are probably annual fuel utilization efficient. If you’re in doubt, you can always ask the help of an energy auditor or a heating service technician.
Check the Hot Water System
To improve the hot water system’s efficiency, begin by turning down the temperature to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to insulate the hot water lines so that they won’t cool off too quickly. Lastly, use only low-flow fixtures for baths and showers.
Green living may be a lot more difficult to maintain but it has its perks. You save money and you become an ally of Mother Nature.
Tags: eco-friendly interior design, eco-friendly interiors, eco-friendly tips, energy efficient living, energy-efficiency, energy-efficient home, green home, green interior design, green living, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sustainable design, sustainable home, sustainable home design, sustainable interior design, sustainable lifestyle, sustainable materials, tips
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Thursday, April 14th, 2016
Every homeowner should make it a point to use daylight to light their home. It is a great way to jump start your decision to go green and to provide comfort to all the occupants of a home. This natural light should be bright enough to penetrate the entire building.
The sun is able to deliver a huge amount of light to the world, each day. The light emanating from the moon is about 10,000 foot-candles (gauge for light’s intensity). Glass or clouds come with filtering effects that can cut down the brightness of the sun’s light by 50-90%. Still, having 1,000 to 5,000 foot-candles provides ample illumination. It is now up to you to harness this great amount of light by knowing how to place windows or what materials to use inside of your home.
The daylighting design requirements should have balanced privacy and a picturesque view. It must be considered alongside the building layout, orientation and location.
You should consider using diffused light in the absence of direct sunlight. This requires proper planning and window placement. Even the size of the windows should be carefully thought through. Do not overglaze as it could cause glaring. It can also let in too much heat during the summer and lose heat during the wintry months.
Daylight Sources
Solar gain and direct light can be provided by sunlight. Should the sky be overcast, know that solar gain is decreased yet the sky dome will continue to provide light.
The correct placement of mirrors and glass-surface furnishings will also provide daylight. External reflection from adjacent buildings or light shelves can also offer additional lighting. Yet again, be careful that there isn’t too much reflectance as this can cause glaring.
Light-colored mirrors and finishes can also reflect the lighting sources already found inside the rooms.
Upping Daylight Penetration
Remember this – the daylight will have a deeper hue the higher the window head placement is. A single window can offer illumination up to a depth of 1 ½ times the height of the window head. This means that upping the window height also increases the penetration of light.
Interior Daylighting Achieved
Make good use of gloss finishes, mirrors, light colors and other reflective finishes. Sills, jambs and window frames can be painted in lighter colors. Be sure to angle or splay the deep set windows towards the interior of your home.
The floors may not contribute much when it comes to giving off reflections especially when it comes in a dark color. Make it a point to install light-colored flooring material if you want to increase the light levels in your home.
Having interior walls that disperse light is a great solution. These walls can gather indirect light coming from a brightly-lit adjacent room and even capitalize on the reflective surfaces of certain furnishings. Clear glass can transmit a huge amount of light to the adjacent rooms.
Position mirrors at eye level.
Glass can be acid-etched or sandblasted. It may also be laminated or textured. Plastic interlayer is used in laminated glass. It offers the same effect as that of the sandblasted type minus the marking. Applied films can be considered, too.
Full-length glass walls can also offer auditory privacy. Perceived room dimensions are naturally upped as the borrowed light concept is utilized. This is also useful in spaces with constraints on their floor area.
Having white-painted walls or using neutral colors would work well in having borrowed light inside your home. Use translucent materials to absorb, reflect or scatter light. Diffused lighting contributes to the comfort inside a home as it also limits eyestrain.
May these daylighting tips help you properly and amply light your home. Add a sky dome, light tubes, or a luminous shower, it’s up to you.
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Tuesday, April 5th, 2016
One of the in things to do these days, the hottest bandwagon so to speak, is to live in an energy-efficient home. Founders of companies, couples, women, even college kids are now purchasing building plans for their new green homes. Some of these homes can be as small as 120 square feet (or even less).
There are challenges in living in a small space – this is certain. But there can also be benefits should you know what to do with the tiny space that you have.
Advantages of Small Home Living
The U.S. Census reported in 2010 that the average size of homes is about 2,400 square feet. Despite this large home dominance, many homeowners still recognize the advantages of living in a small place.
One of these advantages is energy efficiency. With a smaller place to cool or heat, this spells lower carbon footprint.
Flexsteel Home Office Bookcase W1201-701: Small space living means looking for effective ways to store stuff in your home.
Another advantage is not having to clean a large space. Fewer rooms means less maintenance or cleaning time. This can be a perk to your family since it would mean more time spent outdoors, doing all the stuff that the family loves.
A smaller home also means you have a cozier and more intimate space. These are the very things that bigger homes lack.
Smaller homes are also less expensive and less pricey to live in. You get smaller utility bills with your smaller place – that is also guaranteed. Small homes can spend as little as $180 in energy as compared to hundreds and thousands that large home dwellers need to pay for.
Freedom in a Small Space
So how can you achieve freedom in a much smaller space?
Begin developing your cute green home at the main room. This can be a living room and an office space in one. You can install a tiny fireplace, two comfortable chairs, a desk, and some hidden storage.
You can then go to the sleeping space which can be just a tiny nook right upstairs. Your cute home must have good insulation to keep you and your family warm during the wintry months and cool during the summer season.
The front door can open to two rooms at the same time. This can be the dining area and your kitchen space. Install a sink, portable electric range, small refrigerator, and a prep surface for your kitchen/dining area. The dishes and other kitchen tools can be stored in smaller cabinets or shelves.
Accept also the fact that you will have a smaller bathroom. Install a small yet full bath containing the toilet, sink, shower and tub within 10 square feet. Water can be gathered from neighboring spigot. You could cook up something more elaborate but you will have to deal with local building codes if you do so.
Smaller homes are not just energy efficient, they are also sturdier. This means that you won’t have to worry as much when a quake suddenly ensues. This is because shorter distances spell a more expedient escape. Remember that the smaller the surface area, the smaller chances that the house would topple because of an earthquake.
Smaller homes have also been proven to be safer from fires.
The secret to achieving freedom in the midst of coziness is to use every inch efficiently. You may feel uneasy during the first few months. You could even spend time figuring out what works and what doesn’t.
Everything is also depending upon your perspective, the beauty of your home being the topmost priority. Whatever makes sense for you and your family’s needs is what should be built, invested upon or installed.
This tiny yet liveable green home is yours to own – be sure you’re ready to embrace simple living.
Tags: designing a small apartment, designing a small space, energy-efficiency, energy-efficient home, green home, green living, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sustainable design, sustainable home, sustainable home design, sustainable interior design, sustainable lifestyle, sustainable materials
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Thursday, February 18th, 2016
Also known as eco living, green living is tantamount to saying that you are living in a sustainable home. This is, after all, the standard that the world looks up to. It is because of this that manufacturers find ways to tell the world about their green credentials. Even appliances now come with energy-saving functions. Some materials that are used in food and other packaging are now recyclable or are actually recycled materials. This new generation of sustainable furniture as well as lighting designs aim to satiate people who have become aware of their roles in keeping Mother Earth intact.
Green Living in Your Home
Healthy interiors can make the tenants feel more comfortable and satisfied. In workplaces, it can even foster employee retention.
Occupant interaction with the surroundings can also impact individual emotional and mental wellness. For offices, it can even improve building operations. Since this is so, it should now be your goal to create sustainable interiors right in your own home.
You should now pledge to make productive use of your space and to use only eco-friendly lights and furniture. Also, the ambiance in your home should have green written all over it.
Green Living: Lighting
There are many benefits that come with eco living and when you decide to apply it even in interior design. You can now effectively combine energy saving technology with utility. Many appliances now have energy storage with some even installed with photovoltaic cells.
With eco-friendly lighting come not just energy savings but also the perfect look for ambient spaces. Energy saving bulbs use up less energy when compared to traditional light bulbs. What a wonderful sight it is to behold a dynamically created lighting fixture in your home! It spells poetry in the form of light while serving as a reliable light source for your lovely ambience.
Green Living Is In
Just like other design industries, the world of interior design is forever tied to volatile styles. In essence, it is like assessing clothes whether they are hot or they’re not.
Whether the client’s goal is to renovate, decorate or to create architectural detailing, interior designers must always be up on their toes with regard to what’s hot in their field. The trend at the moment – and probably the fastest growing segment of the interior design industry nowadays – is sustainability.
Bamboo and other sustainable materials are hot. And with the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers attesting that sustainability should be one of the areas of focus for interior designers today, everyone is simply geared towards the use of sustainable materials and wasting not. Even the curricula in different design schools already include sustainability as one of their crucial courses.
Green Living for the Homeowner
Whether you wish to become an interior designer someday or are just taking on an interior design project on your own, then you have to remember these guidelines –
Green living doesn’t have to be time consuming. It is a matter of making that conscious decision to change your lifestyle and the way you run things in your home. Yet this does not mean that your living space should look boring, though. You can still beautify your home by using your artistic eye in choosing sustainable furnishings.
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