The topic of green design (also known as "sustainable design") usually leads to conversations of renewable energy sources, solar panels, earth-friendly building products, and "living off the grid." And while all of those are great goals, they often seem lofty and unattainable for the average consumer, as the initial out-of-pocket expenses for building a green home are considerably higher than the cost of a home built by traditional methods.
However, there are many small choices that each of us can make on a daily basis in order to reduce our impact on the environment around us. We can all certainly learn to live in a way that employs the three R's--recycling, reusing, and reducing. Below are some tips for choices that you can make while engaged in your own design project.
Cabinets
The wood in most cabinetry contains urea-formaldehyde, which off-gasses and can be harmful to your health. Look for cabinets made from solid wood, or alternative materials such as wheatboard, and finished with nontoxic finishes.
Countertops
Companies like Richlite offer countertops made from recycled paper or hemp, which are extremely durable and easy to clean, but color selection can be limited. If you prefer a tile countertop, look for tiles that are either recycled from previous installations or made from recycled material. A favorite option is a quartz composite known as engineered stone, which is available from companies such as DuPont Zodiaq, CaesarStone, Silestone and IceStone. CaesarStone complies with global management and manufacturing standards.
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.
Water-Saving Features
Choose faucets with aerators, which inject air bubbles into the water stream to achieve the same pressure with less volume. Recirculation pumps keep hot water at the tap, saving hundreds of gallons per year by eliminating the need to run the tap while the water gets hot. Tankless hot water heaters also heat water at the source. Because they are smaller than standard water heaters, they use less water and 10-20 percent less energy.
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. Cork and bamboo, from companies like Wicanders and Bamtex, also make good choices for a green kitchen, as they are made from rapidly renewable resources. The newer engineered versions of bamboo are great. They stand up to abuse from pets, high heels and heavy weights better than the old bamboo products.
Lighting
Avoid recessed cans, unless they use fluorescent bulbs and are airtight, to keep air from escaping around the can and into the attic. Motion and occupancy sensors save money by automatically turning lights on and off as needed. They are fairly inexpensive and can be mounted in standard switch boxes. LED lighting, which is new to the market, promises long life and extremely efficient operation, but it is not widely available and can be pricey. Martin advises maximizing the use of fluorescents, but recommends high-quality, dimmable electrical ballasts, which will not only save energy but prevent flickering.
Finishes
Thanks to companies like Ecos, AFM Safecoat and Yolo, eco-friendly paints, stains and finishes reduce exposure to these harmful compounds. Seek out water-based finishes with "No VOCs" on the label.
Eco-friendly wallpaper products are also available, with low- or no-VOC compositions and glues. Look for papers from Mod Green Pod, Phillip Jeffries and Woodson & Rummerfield. Don't forget the low-VOC caulks, adhesives and sealers.
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