Yesterday was Earth Day 2012. Earth Day
is a celebrated each year, and events are held worldwide to increase awareness
and appreciation of the Earth's
natural environment. 2012 was the 42nd anniversary of that mission which was
attributed to John McConnell staring in 1969.
In honor of Earth
Day Almar Building & Remodeling, Hanover Ma wanted to share some tips and
information about how you can make changes in your own home to improve the earth’s
and your personal environment.
1.
Replace leaky Faucets: gallons of water can be wasted each day from what
appears to be a minor leak. Need helping
finding the right faucets for your home? Stop in and see our friends at Snow & Jones in Norwell to get a Kohler faucet.
2. Choose the Right Cabinets: “Many cabinets are made from
particle board, hardwood plywood paneling, or medium density fiberboard glued
together using a formaldehyde-based adhesive. To avoid exposure to harmful
chemicals, purchase cabinetry made with formaldehyde-free adhesives and
finishes.”*1 Almar installs Huntwood Custom Cabinets which offers us Green Manufacturing.
3.
Choose Flooring that has environmentally friendly attributes
without sacrificing style.
a.
Sustainable Grown/Harvested Materials
b.
Reclaimed
materials
c.
Recycles
materials
d.
Reduced
Toxicity
4.
Water Filtration: Although the EPA enforces national standards for taps
water approximately 4 out 10 American homes also have a water filtration
system.
5.
Replace old toilets: Toilets account for almost 30% of your homes water
usage. In 1992 the Energy Policy Act was enacted which mandated water efficient
toilets use up to 3.5 gallons of water per flush. By replacing your old toilet
with a to high-efficiency toilets can save a family
of four, on average, $2,000 in water bills over the lifetime of the toilets.*2
6.
Upgrade Insulation: By insulating your house or sealing up air leaks you
can your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Installed correctly, insulation can deliver comfort and
lower energy bills during the hottest and coldest times of the year.
7.
Weatherize with Windows, Doors and Skylights: Leaky unites allow warm air to escape which makes your
heating/cooling units run more. By installing Energy-Efficient Windows and
Doors (Like Harvey Classic or Alside Excalibur Windows) you can reduce energy
costs.
9. Choose
low-maintenance Exterior Finishes: “When choosing the finish for your home, look into
recycled-content materials that are locally manufactured. High-maintenance
materials (such as wood) should be avoided to reduce repair, replacement, and upkeep
costs (e.g., repainting). Brick, concrete, stucco, steel, aluminum, and
fiber-cement offer superior longevity, and resist cracking and other
deterioration.” *3 
10. Choose
a Cool Roof: Most people choose
dark roofing shingles. But if you choose a lighter roof shingle (or one of
Certainteed’s Solaris Shingles) that have high reflectance and emissivity you
can keep your roof up to 70degrees cooler than traditional shingles. Which can
help save you money on air conditioning costs.
You can also get
information about programs and incentives for renewable energy in Massachusetts
please visit: http://www.dsireusa.org The Database of State Incentives for Renewables &
Efficiency. “DSIRE
is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal
incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an
ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy
Council.” 
