Eco-Living – How, Why, and What | Photo Remodeling Analysis

first “eco-living” idea

Automate Home Behaviors

Notes:

Let’s take a look at home behaviors as it relates to energy use. We – meaning the family – often leave lights on in rooms that are not occupied. Run outside to play without turning off the TV. Forget to pull the blinds at night for added insulation and security. Play with the thermostat to raise heating or cooling temps. Keep the water on insensibly while brushing our teeth. And the list goes on-and-on regarding wasteful energy consumption.
Changing behaviors can be a life-time process. You can certainly scold the kids when then leave the doors open when the HVAC is running. Or you can choose a better option by using home automation to do the following:
- Automate Lighting
  
  You can control, monitor and schedule lighting in every room in the home and the outside by using smart switches and outlets. Night lighting that should turn on/off can be scheduled based on the time or the schedule of setting and rising sun.
- You could add motion light detection in kids’ bedroom. When they leave the room without turning off lights, the lack of motion automatically turns off lighting or turns it back on when they return.
- The goal is to keep lights on only as needed to save on electricity consumption. Similar controls can be used for television, computers, and other electronics.
- Pull the Shades
  
  One way to add insulation to windows is to use shades or curtains to pull during times that give best insulation. Having automated window blinds allows you to scheduled times during the day and night to pull or open shades.
- For example in the winter, you may want the shades to be open that allows the warming rays of the sun to stream in. At night, the shades should be closed for added warmth. In the summer, the reverse may be need. This opening and closing all can be done automatically based on the schedule of the seasons.
- Door Sensors
  
  How many times do you have to tell family members to shut the outside door – especially when the temperatures outside are drastically different than on the inside. It’s costly to heat and cool your home – the highest percentage of your electrical costs. So having door sensors that ping the control board and/or make a tune reminds the family members to shut the door.
- Thermostats
  
  Speaking of heating and cooling, smart thermostats allow you to automate and control room temperatures no matter where you are located. Turns on the system when you get up; turns it down when you sleep. Or maybe you need to control it when traveling.
- Ceiling Fans
  
  Ceiling fans help your HVAC systems work more efficiently by circulating warm and cool air throughout the home – not to mention giving you better air ventilation that can decrease energy consumption. You can automate the fans to sync up with the HVAC system to maximize efficiency.
- Phantom Energy
  
  You have many appliances that drain energy when not in use. By controlling these appliances through automation (by turning them off with smart outlets instead of unplugging), you can potentially save from 5-10% of energy waste.
- Plug these appliances into a smart switch that can be controlled via your control monitor. You simply turn off the switches when not in use; flip the switch on when the appliance is needed. These controls can be connected to your home assistant. Simply give the command to turn on “coffee machine” for example.
- Other
  
  There are smart appliances, smart water usage controls, and other smart gadgets that can help homes become more eco-friendly by reducing electrical and water consumption. The idea is to use automation to make living behaviors more energy efficient.
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Supporting Resources (opens new win)

	ASK: ways automation saves energy

	INFO: ways automation saves money

	INFO: home automation guide beginners

	YOUTUBE: smart energy management

Shop Home Automation (opens new win)

	AMAZON: home automation kit

	COMPARE: automated switches/plugs

	AMAZON: automated blinds

second “photo remodeling” idea

Get rid of plastic

Notes:

Plastics have become one of the most dangerous impacts on the environment. They are not only massively produced using fossil fuels, but much of the plastics end up in landfills and oceans that impact land and water life.
No doubt that plastics offer convenience in packaging and use. But once you are done with it, where the plastic ends up becomes the environmental impact.
Some quick facts to consider:
- approximately 91% of all plastics do not get recycled: [view info]
- about 8 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean: [view info]
- plastics are made from raw materials, such as natural gas, oil or plants: [view info]
- plastics do not decompose; meaning plastics remains forever: [view info]
- there are green biodegradable plastics that made from plants – but these plastics may not solve the plastic crisis: [view info]
So what can you do to help reduce the consumption of plastic:
- Replace Plastic Water Bottles:
  
  Replace your plastic water bottle that you buy commercially with a carrier water jug that you can use for hydration.
- Avoid Using Plastic Wares At Home
  
  Instead of plastic forks, plates, cups and the like for meals, use real tableware that can be washed, dried and put away for the next meal.
- Reuse
  
  Find household items that you can reuse such as glass food storage containers instead of plastic bags. You can find beeswax wraps that are reusable and other biodegradable wraps that are much better on the environment that plastic wraps.
- Also consider using canvas grocery bags when you go shopping instead of plastic bags. And purchase washable, reusable silicone storage bags for refrigeration and freezing.
- Use Disposable Wares
  
  If you have a picnic and event where you need disposable dinner and serving ware, use eco-living disposable tableware such as biodegradable plates, silverware, napkins and other wares. Items that are made with paper and plants that can easily degrade once disposed.
- Buy Store Products In Other Materials
  
  Look for store products packaged in paper, glass and aluminum are more easily recycled than plastics.
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biodegradable dinnerware reusable silicone storage beeswax wrappers

Supporting Resources (opens new win)

	ABOUT: about plastic management

	INFO: about sustainable packaging

	YOUTUBE: plastics and the environment

May We Suggest Other Photo Remodeling Ideas About
“Managing Home Needs”

Designing and Building a Cold Storage Room

What a Future Smart Home May Look Like

How Does an HVAC System Work and How to Tell If There Is an Issue

third “photo remodeling” idea

Compost scraps

Notes:

Eco-friendly living is reducing the amount of kitchen trash that we throw away daily and the the amount of sugar we intake. Reduced trash means reduced land fills – that leads to better land management. Reduced sugars mean better health.
You can reduce trash by recycling items such as paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass, and plastics (preferably biodegradable plastics). And you can reduce sugars by growing your own garden of vegetables and fruits – another eco-living lifestyle – and by using organic alternative sweeteners.
Another large percentage of kitchen trash are food scraps – food prep and food spent items that are trashed prior and after a meal – not to mention the bad and rotten food that remain in the fridge to long.
Instead of throwing food scraps away, how about starting a compost bin?
- Better Trash Management:
  
  You can drastically reduce the amount of the trash by placing food items in a compost bin.
- Produce Compost:
  
  The food trash along with other compost items break down over time to produce nutrient-rich compost that can be used for growing food, potting flowers, and spreading around trees and other shrubs as mulch.
- Interesting Watch:
  
  Composting is an interesting way to watch how decomposition works – something you family can be involved in to understand how to become self-sufficient and eco-friendly.
- Items Needed:
  
  Compost bin and/or area that can be fenced off to secure the area. Compost enzymes and/or worms. Other composting items that include grass clippings and leaves.
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composting bins composting kit composting worms

Supporting Resources (opens new win)

	HOW TO: make compost w/ kitchen waste

	INFO: composting guide

	YOUTUBE: how to start a compost bin

	YOUTUBE: how to make compost

	YOUTUBE: worm composting

fourth “photo remodeling” idea

Use natural products for cosmetics and cleaning

Notes:

Let’s talk about preserving our water sources – not to mention your personal health. Cleaning products and some cosmetics (facials, soap, shampoo) use harmful chemicals that impact the environment and your general health. Let’s review:
- First Cleaning Products:
  
  Many cleaning products to clean bathrooms, kitchens and doing laundry use harsh chemicals that get washed down as we clean. These chemicals get into the water system that require treatment before being released into water reservoirs.
- These chemicals are not needed given other cleaning alternatives; and they can impact the water reservoirs that we use to sustain life.
- A more viable option is to use eco-friendly cleaning solutions and laundry detergents that are made with natural cleaners. These products clean just as well as the chemical products but release only natural products into the water system thus protecting our water.
- You can use home-made solutions such as vinegar and baking soda that make great cleaning products for bathrooms and kitchens. And you can now find natural, laundry detergents that are great for washers. These little changes in cleaning can do a lot to help preserve the environment. Likewise, these natural cleaning products are better for hands and skin.
- Natural Cosmetics:
  
  Many of us use deodorants, hair spray, facial lotions and other chemically-laced cosmetics. True, these chemically-laced solutions have been tested on animals before being released to the market. But why expose yourself to these chemicals?
- You can find natural cosmetics that offer the some benefits without exposing your skin and hair. Simply shop for natural cosmetics and deodorants that work just as effectively and are safer to use.
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natural cleaning natural detergent natural deodorant natural cosmetics

References (opens new win except noted)

	SERVICES: green contractors (see below)

	ABOUT: cosmetic chemicals of concern

	INFO: household chemical products

	PLANNING: green home energy (same win)

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fifth and last “photo remodeling” idea

Plant a tree, shrub and other greenery

Notes:

One more thing you can do to help the environment – plant a tree. Trees are valuable components for capturing carbon from the atmosphere and releasing it back as oxygen.
Of course, one tree won’t make much of an impact cleaning up green-house gases; but every tree does it part. Besides, the tree can provide added shade for your house and a habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Also consider other landscaping that include shrubs, flowers, herbs, garden vegetables, etc., the beautifies your yard and plays a part in preserving the environment.
You don’t need an elaborate landscaping plan; just something that adds value to you and your surrounding environment.
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live trees live shrubs water drip system
What comments can you share about
eco-living changes you have made for the environment