Going Green ?
STRATEGIES FOR GOING GREEN
The “Green” movement is sweeping across our nation for many different reasons. Lower energy costs and renewable energy are just one facet of the green movement. Sure everyone loves saving money, but when you can both save money and help the environment everyone wins. There are so many options available to homeowners with more and more coming all the time. Many are of the thought that green products are expensive and hard to install or incorporate into your space. Newer and less expensive products have been introduced to the market making going green easy and economical.
Lighting
Avoid recessed cans, unless they use fluorescent bulbs and are airtight, to keep air from escaping around the can and into the attic. LED lighting, which is new to the market, promises long life and extremely efficient operation. It can sometimes cost more upfront but save you on not just your electric bill but also on bulb replacement as they burn out far less often. You should avoid touching bulbs with your fingers as the oils from your fingers could cause them to burn out faster than normal. Fluorescent lighting is the most energy efficient but can not be dimmed where halogen or incandescent lights can.
Appliances
These are fairly easy to choose — just look for the Energy Star label, which ensures they are 10-50 percent more efficient than standard models. Dishwasher drawers are increasingly popular. "These can be pretty pricey, but they take up less space and use less water if you have to wash a small load,". This is only a green option when you use one drawer; if you use both drawers every night, you're not getting the benefit of the smaller appliance.
Cabinets
We carry several different cabinet lines here at Marcos Kitchen and Bath. We are proud to say that several of our kitchen cabinet lines meet Green Environmental standards and are improving every day.
Mouser Custom Cabinetry, LLC Awarded Certification in KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program
A Commitment to Excellence….A Dedication To Our Future!
Mouser Custom Cabinetry, LLC has been awarded environmental stewardship certification by the KCMA Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association.
As an ongoing commitment on behalf of the cabinet manufacturer, this nationally recognized program was established to encourage the responsible management of environmental and community resources. Stewardship certification requires the annual review of manufacturing facilities in order to earn qualifying points in five categories. These five categories include: Air Quality, Product Resource Management, Process Resource Management, Environmental Stewardship, and Community Relations.
Qualifying points are earned by utilizing environmentally responsible materials and coatings. Manufacturers are required to go to the suppliers of wood and recycled wood fibers to ensure accountability to industry standards, to the consumer, and to the environment. Points are also earned by incorporating superior standards of resource conservation and waste management; complying with government regulations and contributing to the local community.
Standards set forth by the KCMA Stewardship Program require the appropriate documentation on manufacturing practices, as well as company policies and practices that relate to the manufacturers dedication of environmental stewardship practices.
From the maple, cherry or oak tree in the forest, to the kitchen, bath, or library in your home--Yorktowne Cabinetry is determined to minimize our impact on the environment, each and every step of the way.
Yorktowne Environmental Practices
Responsibility to our environment and local community is nothing new at Yorktowne. In the early 1990s, Yorktowne participated in a voluntary program to reduce emissions on solvents targeted by the Environmental Protection Agency and achieved the required reduction and a Certificate of Appreciation from the EPA.
Since 2003 Yorktowne has contributed to Second Chance, a community program that helps salvage the historic features of local demolition projects while teaching construction and renovation skills to disadvantaged youth.
Additional Highlights
• Yorktowne has been awarded certification in the KCMA Environemental Stewardship Program
• 100% of hardwood waste is captured and salvaged to be used to produce renewable, premium wood products for other markets
• All scrap wood at our Dimension Mill is used to heat the plant in the winter and fire our dry kilns throughout the year
• Air filters capable of 99.9% cleaning efficiency can re-circulate the air used for dust extraction and deliver back to the plant for re-use saving as much as 58,000 gallons of heating oil
• All scrap cardboard and steel strapping is recycled
• Adhesives used in the construction of the cabinetry are water based and reduce the amount of VOCs
• Materials used in the construction and and finish of Yorktowne cabinetry comply with Federal Guidelines of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and the industry specific MACT standard
• Products are tested and certified by the Kitchen Cabinet Association under ANSI Standard A161.1
• Yorktowne utilizes industry suppliers who have also stepped up their green initiatives
Countertops
If you are looking for a great alternative to granite countertops take a look at the new quartz composite materials known as engineered stone. Available from companies such as Silestone, DuPont Zodiaq, and CaesarStone. They give the realistic look of natural stone yet do not require sealing. With an antibacterial surface they do not have the pockets or pores natural stones can have. Competitive in cost with granites they are a popular alternative.
Flooring
Linoleum is enjoying a comeback, largely due to its green properties. Made of natural materials such as linseed oil, rosin and wood flour, it is durable and easy to clean. Armstrong and Marmoleum offer a wide array of styles and color options. Bamboo wood floors and the newer engineered versions of bamboo are great. Aside from being a renewable wood they stand up well to abuse from pets, high heels and heavy weights better than standard wood flooring.
OTHER IDEAS FOR GREEN LIVING
Ditch the Bottles
Bottled water is pricey and uses a lot of fuel to transport, as well as to make, store and discard all those bottles. Use what comes out of your tap instead, the purity on most tap water has been improved dramatically. Get a good filter for added purity to your drinking water if desired.
Buy Local
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, most produce in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles before being sold. Reduce all that shipping by rediscovering the fresh bounty of your surrounding area. You will save on our atmosphere emissions from travel time as well as contribute to our local economy.
Dispose of Disposables
Instead of relying on single-use containers, get real dishes, and wash them! The resources saved will really add up not to mention the amount of garbage and plastics you will keep out of the land fill.
Make Fewer Trips
Rather than driving to the store twice a week buy in bulk. Stock that pantry with the essentials and when possible purchase the bulk available items. Buying in bulk when done correctly can save you money and reduce the amount of containers used by factories. If you are buying in bulk just be sure to do so intelligently, excess waste can both hurt the pocket and waste perfectly good food.
Green Thumb
Do you have a green thumb? Why not grow some of your own spices and vegetables. You can grow so many different things in your own back yard and get that fresh home grown taste. Fresh herbs can really spice up your dish while giving you the satisfaction of knowing it came from your patch of earth.
Hopefully you can use some of these simple tips to both reduce your energy consumption and save you money. We are all on this planet together and anything each of us can do to preserve our resources and maintain a healthy environment will hopefully extend a Green Planet to our children’s children.
