With most people these days wanting to be green or at least eco conscious, green has become the new catch phrase. With all that is out there it is not always easy to see through all the “green washing”. When you think green, what does that mean? What makes something or someone green? Recently at a “green building workshop” John Wagner offered 5 green principles that sum it all up.
Green is:
1. A product or service that improves indoor air quality. This would include, duct cleaning, air cleaners, HVAC filters, mold remediation. According to the EPA 50% of all illness is aggravated or caused by polluted indoor air.
2. A service that lowers pressure on the environment through the use of renewable and sustainably harvested material. The average 2500 square foot wood framed house will use 2-3 acres of forest lumber.
3. A product or service that reduces the amount of water usage / consumption in the home. This can be as easy as fixing that leaky faucet, or installing a low flow toilet.
4. The use of recycled or recyclable materials, thus reducing the pressure on the waste stream. Reuse, Reclaim, Renew!
5. A product or service that reduces our carbon footprint, or energy consumption. Think spiral compact fluorescents, solar panels, geothermal hot water systems, and rain barrels.
In an effort to create awareness and promote eco-friendly living Urban Referrals has recently launched its newest webpage “your green home” www.urbanreferrals.com/green.html. It is dedicated to green education, quality green products, and a list of all our “green contractor services. Check out the list at www.urbanreferrals.com/green_services.html
