The impact we have on our environment, besides our obvious use of fuels and energy, is also linked to consumers’ attitude toward the use of durable and sustainable materials.

Buying furniture, an action that may seem fairly harmless, illustrate well what I mean. Deforestation is very real, yet many furniture manufacturers still use woods that come from non-managed forests. Not only the use of exotic woods is culpable in the deforestation, but it increases our ecologic footprint by having to transport it from its production land to the distribution point.

With the simple action of buying a bed, we have a real environmental impact. It is therefore a good idea to turn to professionals who offer wood furniture that comes from local eco-managed forests in order to limit the negative impact.

Another consideration when buying wood bedroom furniture is the products that were used for treating the wood. In the last few years we have come to realize the toxic effects of paints, glues and other finishing products used in furniture. We are surrounded by furniture containing these products. It is even more important to avoid these products in bedroom furniture as we normally sleep in closed rooms.

Finally the wood quality is to be considered, and solid wood should be chosen over pressed woods, both for durability and strength.

Manufacturers who care about their clients opinion understand this idea, and offer, today, in their catalogs and showrooms beautiful, comfortable, rustic or contemporary furniture, that respects these new concepts that are crucial when buying a new bed.

Whether you want dark or white bedroom furniture you will find online many eco-friendly distributors, where you will be able to not only review the collection, but read their policies concerning their ecological point of view, without having to ask the questions you would have to ask in a furniture store.

If you like a fireplace in your bedroom the way to remain environmentally conscious is to use a small ethanol fireplace. They are portable, eco-friendly and safe to use.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlotte_Adelman

This is why we all need to get serious not only with our energy consumption, but with our choices in the way in which it is produced. Further, we can’t just simply wait for the power companies who produce energy to convert to solar, geo-thermal, or any other “green” means of production, we have to get into it ourselves. Becoming more energy eco-focused is what is needed. For this reason, some homes are now being built with certain energy eco-systems built in, such as geothermal systems which use heat pumps to extract heat from the ground, along with other built-in energy eco-systems such as solar panel arrays on rooftops, and precise placements of windows for the best benefits of lighting, heat and ventilation, as well as others.

Many prefabricated houses these days are being built with these and other energy eco-systems built right into them, with amazing results as far as the increased lack of impact on the surrounding environment. Some use only a third of the typical home’s consumption of energy, and others even much less. Living in homes built with these and other energy eco-systems in place not only saves the environment, due to their utter independence from fossil fuels, whether domestic or foreign, but also saves expense. Energy cost expenditure is phenomenally reduced when the proper systems are all in place, working harmoniously together.

Clearly, the more people who choose to be energy eco-conscious and make their homes to be those of this type, then the more of an effect of “erasing our carbon footprints” will be achieved. This may bring to mind the whole idea of “How can the doings of one person make a difference”, but what’s clear here is that the incentive to save your hard-earned money alone, and in such considerable quantities (or inversely, the incentive of not dumping your hard-earned money in considerable quantities out into the sky), is more than enough to get anyone involved. A person doesn’t have to be a hard-core “tree-hugger” to see the obvious benefits here, even to one’s personal expenses. Energy eco-sensibility is simply a no-brainer choice to make.

If you’re interested in learning more about energy eco-sensibility and other things related to alternative energy, then you’ve got to check out the EcoPlusHome project.

Bryan Kenny and his family are an average North American family with one exception…they’re living in the EcoPlusHome.

The EcoPlusHome is a prefabricated home powered by alternative energies like solar thermal, geothermal and photovoltaic. Bryan and his family will show the world that it is possible to live self sustained for a 12 month period by showcasing their journey living in the EcoPlusHome on their blog.

Bryan and his family welcome you to join their journey to self sufficiency on their blog http://ecoplushome.com/blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Kenny

To make your house right, there is nothing more important than to get the right insulation suppliers. Good suppliers are ones that provide their products to installers, builders and home developers and also have a good network to be able to supply their insulation products to your doorstep. An essential quality that every consumer will look for from insulation suppliers are that the product is of high quality and should be made from formaldehyde free eco friendly material at competitive prices that will give the product an easy buy appeal.

Though many insulation manufacturers prefer formaldehyde based products, this chemical can cause various health hazards like nausea, difficulty in breathing and asthma in high concentrations. It is also known to cause severe allergic reactions and is also suspected to be an agent that can cause cancer. But certain insulation manufacturers now provide fiber glass that has reduced or does not emit volatile organic products like formaldehyde. Thus now the eco friendly and hazard free solution is to utilize glass wool based insulation products that is made by a coat of glass fibers and a highly specialized resin that gives it its moldable quality.

There are a range of advantages in using glass wool based insulation like good dimensional stability and greater strength. It also delivers a high thermal performance and is also heat resistant and doesn’t catch fire easily. Moreover, a number of insulation importers also prefer to use it as it has light weight and is incredibly flexible and its low ability to absorb moisture avoids microbial growth that finds a lot of takers as it will stay in a great working condition for a long time.

It is a great resource for energy preservation too as these glass wool based insulation systems will provide low energy bills and also control moisture to provide a better indoor air quality. The formaldehyde free feature is famous among most insulation suppliers and so they promote these insulators that deliver environmental satisfaction as it is prepared from materials that can be recycled after use. The recycled glass that is used in making these insulation products saves millions of cubic feet of landfill space thus ensuring a really ecological and economical solution. The only non recyclable product used in this fiber glass is sand that can be found everywhere and is also a rapidly renewable source.

While your neighbors will complain of either really high energy bills or about their children suffering constantly from allergies and health problems, you will know why your family is safe in rough winters. So go ahead and sit on your warm couch to think about the support that you have got from your insulation suppliers in ensuring that your house is protected from nature’s fury and blessed with its bounty.

JJ Leshell is author of this article on Insulation.

Find more information about Insulation Suppliers here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JJ_Leshell

The bamboo plants grow rapidly, even 4 to 5 feet per month, therefore they grow in very tall forests, and they are biodegradable. There are no contaminants added, and bamboo shades are processed in low emissions factories, so they are truly a “green” product. Add to that benefit their good looks, and they are a winner all around!

You will enjoy quiet contemplation as your eyes enjoy the beauty of bamboo shades. They are made by weaving sticks of natural bamboo into various patterns and styles. Privacy is provided, but with the interweaving, you can still have light enter the room, which highlights the patterns. If you want more privacy, you can order your window shades with a fabric lining. This helps you manage lighting but still allow light to enter the room. Room darkening blinds are also available, for complete privacy and light control.

A natural material, bamboo also looks wonderful when accented with room plants, and other natural decorations. Add a small water fountain, and you will have created your own tropical paradise right at home. The window shades can be a focal point in the room, or they can blend into the background, as you desire. They are a natural product, non-treated, and as such, will have interesting variations in color and patterns.

Most bamboo shades are in the horizontal style, but there are vertical ones available also. You can get roll up window shades, roll down shades, Roman shades (layered), and traditional matchstick styles. Patterns include braided, woven, tortoise shell, and wide slats. Their light-weight is an advantage when ordering through the internet to save on shipping expense.

Bamboo shades are available in many natural hues and some colors. They are easy to manage, and are controlled by a cord or continuous chain control system. Some even have motors to assist in balanced lifting. They are nice for newer neighborhoods where houses are large and lots are small, so you will obtain more privacy from close sitting neighbor homes. As a wood, the bamboo is also good for insulation effects, and heat control. You can get lower energy costs by keep hot sunshine out and winter heat in the room.

Vertical bamboo shades are nice for older homes, as they give them a more modern look, yet cover large old window spaces with style and protection. There is some noise control when they are completely shut. One nice benefit from this type of blind is that you can have privacy but still catch a meshed view of the outdoors. Window shades come with a top valance to cover the lift mechanisms.

EcoFriendly homeowners can choose bamboo shades for their natural beauty, and for their inherent contribution to earth friendliness. These shades are durable, to provide long lasting beauty with greater cost benefits in the long run. They are easy to clean, and with smooth surfaces, less dust is caught on the horizontal slats, and much less on verticals.

Bamboo shades are available in stock sizes and colors, or you can order custom sizes, lengths, designs, and colors. These excellent and hard working window shades look beautiful alone, or with added window shades and accessories. It is hard to go wrong with a product that is so right, and so environmentally beneficial. It is no wonder that the history and tradition of bamboo shades goes back for centuries.

Judith Persit works from her store in a design studio, which is planned beautifully. She writes articles about bamboo shades. Learn about window shades at her website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judith_Persit

As obvious as that statement is, people still treat Earth like there is another one on the back burner. The ocean levels are rising, the ice caps are melting and our ozone layer is disintegrating; we’ve left more of a carbon footprint in the last hundred years than the rest of history combined! The good news, however, is that the word “green” is becoming more ingrained in our social consciousness.

Thanks to environmental activists and supporters, the word “green” has taken on a whole new definition. Any attitude concerning “global environmental protection, bioregionalism, social responsibility” is considered green. The term has become a buzzword of sorts; restaurants, business, and manufacturers brandish the label to appeal to our ever-concerned society.

Every day, people are finding new ways to become environmentally-friendly, even investing in green furniture. Decorating your house furniture made from recycled materials is not only fashionable, but it reduces our carbon footprint and preserves our planet for future generations.

Bamboo is a very good material for green furniture. Technically a grass, bamboo grows quickly, it’s sturdy and it looks good in almost every interior. Plus, furniture made from bamboo doesn’t require any deforestation. Because you can lay it flat for flooring, mold it into furniture, or even cut it up to make blinds and window shades, bamboo has become the go-to material for environmentalists. Plus, there are very few pesticides involved during its production.

Trees make our planet livable. By absorbing carbon dioxide and converting into oxygen, they produce breathable air, which is why deforestation causes such an outcry. However, there are tree farms dedicated to the sole purpose of producing wood products; these trees are certified sustainable. The Rainforest Alliance, one of the largest certifier of sustainable wood, uses the industry-standard Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which makes it easy determine safe wood. Some staunch environmentalists forget that no matter what something is made out of, there are earth-friendly options, even wood. It is very easy to find wood furniture made from sustainable trees, just look for the FSC label or inquire at your local furniture store.

The Rainforest Alliance also certifies any type of furniture made from recycled material: The Rediscovered Wood Certification. Sustainable forests are good sources of lumber, but wood lasts a long time, especially if it’s taken care of. Reclaiming wood from old furniture makes more sense than using precious land to grow sustainable wood. Using old furniture, houses, and even drift wood are good examples of how innovative people have been in creating green furniture.

Green furniture also releases fewer toxins than synthetics. Many people don’t even consider this, but nothing in your house just sits there; everything produces airborne substances. Toxins released from furniture have been traced to birth defects and other health problems. Make sure that any new furniture you purchase has the Greenguard certification, which ensures the product has low toxicity.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on solar energy, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and health and fitness. For more of her useful articles on ecologically friendly furniture, please visit Green Furniture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke

Here are some high-impact environmentally friendly kitchen design ideas:

o Kitchen Recycling Centre

Look for sets of kitchen bins that allow you to easily separate rubbish – paper, food, bottles, plastics, etc.

o Waste Disposal machines

These are ideal for reducing the physical amount of food waste down to small pieces. Then start a wormery where worms can compost down the food waste more efficiently. Use the compost on your garden.

o Energy-Efficient Kitchen Appliances

When considering your refrigerator, dishwasher or washing machine purchases for the kitchen remodeling project, each appliance will have an Energy Rating. Advanced technology now means that appliances can use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than standard models

o Induction Hobs

Induction cooking uses electricity to produce a magnetic field that reacts with the ferric content in stainless steel, cast iron, and enameled steel cookware. This excites the molecules and produces heat. The cookware (and therefore the food) gets hot, but the stove-top doesn’t. Less heat is wasted and the food heats faster, saving time and energy. Induction cooking is about 90 percent energy efficient as compared to gas and electric radiant, which are 50 to 60 percent efficient.

o Dishwashers and Washing Machines

Use a full load in your dishwasher and washing machine. If you are thinking of buying a new machine, make sure you buy a water efficient model. Have a look at our website where we have collated more information on water efficient appliances.

o Stained Concrete or Indigenous Stone Kitchen Counter-tops.

Your kitchen design should include materials that are durable and water-resistant for both counter tops and splash-backs. Stained concrete uses non-toxic, natural pigments rather than surface-applied stains. Many types of indigenous stone are available and can come from salvage sources. Make sure they are adequately sealed to prevent staining.

o Energy-Efficient Task Lighting and Lighting Controls

Kitchen designs often include two or three light settings such as general, task lighting, and mood lighting. Maximize natural light wherever possible and low voltage systems for task and mood lighting.

o Eco-Friendly Kitchen Flooring

Products manufactured from renewable forests can provide you with a beautiful, affordable and durable floor – and an environmentally responsible choice. Bamboo, cork, and eucalyptus mature in roughly half the time (or less) that it takes hardwoods, grown in colder climates, to reach market size.

o Wall Insulation

Nothing improves the comfort and energy efficiency of a kitchen more than plenty of insulation in the exterior walls. To add insulation to existing kitchen walls, blow fibrous insulation material – fiberglass or natural materials like cellulose and mineral wool – into enclosed wall, floor and roof cavities. “Dense packing” the insulation inhibits air circulation within the cavities, thereby eliminating a major cause of condensation, moisture problems and air leakage.

o Kitchen Windows, Doors and Skylights

Well-designed windows and skylights can lighten the feel of a kitchen and save on fuel bills as well. Ensure the products used have low heat emission glass with solar shading, which increases the room’s comfort, protects items from sun damage and reduces condensation on windows.

Ian D Ludlow helps sales and customer service people and organisations in the business-to-business, direct sales and retail environments to improve their current performance.

As a Master Practitioner of NLP and Accredited LVT Practitioner, he uses fun and creative techniques to change unproductive behaviours and to help individuals and teams THINK FASTER and REACT QUICKER to ever changing market conditions.

He states, “If you carry on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Ian’s specialism is knowing what to change and how to change it with minimum effort and maximum return.

Ian helped improve the average sales value for a retail business by 14% which added £34M in sales revenue over one year from 320 stores. He also helped increase the sales conversion ratio by 7% through quality sales training and lead generation programmes for a kitchen and bathroom installer; increasing sales by £24M over one year.

Ian D Ludlow can be contacted on +44 (0)1795 55 56 83 whilst his website is under construction.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Ludlow

What are the reasons for considering bamboo to be ecologically friendly? Experts state these major factors to decide whether a product is eco-friendly or not.

The first is, called the renewability of the product. The exact definition of the term renewable would be ‘relating to or being a commodity or resource, such as solar energy or wood, that is inexhaustible or replaceable by new growth’. In other words, it should be a source which can be easily renewed or replenished in a relatively short time and should not take hundreds of years to replenish. When we consider bamboo, it is basically a grass not a tree, grows very fast, matures in about 2 to 6 years. Bamboo has a robust root system that generates multiple new shoots for every culm (mature stalk) that is harvested. Hence, bamboo can be harvested many times from the same plants or in other words, the original plant is not killed when the bamboo is cut down. This is a very important factor for preserving environment, unlike when furniture is made of wood, a whole tree needs to be cut down and it takes about 60 to 100 years to grow the tree back.
The second defining point is that it prevents erosion of the soil, and reduces amount of carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere. Further it can grow practically in any condition without too much water and it is not a threat to any other trees growing nearby.

The third factor is the amount of chemicals that are needed to grow the plant, process it and finish it so that it is ready for sale. Bamboo doesn’t need too much pesticides or chemicals to either grow or process.

Considering all these factors and the factor that bamboo is completely bio-degradable, it is no wonder that bamboo is becoming the rising star of the eco-friendly world.

Gnana Ramanathan is an internet entreprenuer specialising in elegant home decor items like Bamboo Rugs [http://www.eleganthomedecors.com/bamboo_rugs.html], Hammocks, and Home Decor accessories like vases, lighting etc.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gnana_Ramanathan

Another factor, especially these days, is the ecology. People want to have as little impact on the ecology as possible, thereby reducing their carbon footprint, as they say. The manufacture of plastic involves polluting the environment with more CFC’s and disposal can cause problems too. Plastic can take decades and decades to bio-degrade.

Metal patio garden furniture also has its problems. It has to be mined and fabricated and people are starting to worry about robbing Mother Earth of her minerals, but at least old metal can be recycled. That leaves us with timber and in particular hardwood. Before, there was a great deal of concern in almost every country about logging, but a lot of countries have the problem under control now after sustained pressure from the West.

Most people understand these days how important it is to look after our planet. There is even a special day to help people remember the Earth’s dire state called ‘Earth Day’. Using hardwood from sustainable sources is the best way to save our forests.

Garden furniture made from hardwood from a guaranteed sustainable source is the most ecological way out. If you maintain your hardwood furniture according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for the type of wood you have, it will last for a decade or more. Far longer than any plastic or metal furniture, which you might well have to replace every two years or so.

Acacia hardwood offers a hard wearing and comfortable alternative to teak. In fact, this type of wood is much like teak, as if you leave it untreated it will transform to a silvery grey color. However, it is best to treat all hardwood once or twice a year with suitable oil in order to maintain the warm tones of the timber.

Most people will have a garden patio furniture set of up-right chairs, loungers and a table or two or a nest of small tables. However, there are a few other pieces of furniture that will help you get more pleasure from your garden. It is nice to be able to sit in the garden after it gets dark or when it is a bit chilly too. This can be achieved easily with a few accessories.

I suggest a patio heater, an electric mosquito killer and suitable lighting. Patio heaters are not dear any longer and a single upright propane heater will keep up to eight people warm, depending on their seating pattern. An electric mosquito killer will usually keep a whole garden clear. In fact, some will keep a quarter of an acre or more clear of flying insects. These two items may provide enough light for you, but is best to have a few spots to highlight a plant in bloom or to read by.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with commercial patio heaters. If you are interested in patio heaters too, please click through to Residential Patio Heaters.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Owen_Jones

Focusing on its economical advantages – environment friendly products can be easily promoted as low-priced solutions yet with same effectiveness. For instance power saving lighting fixtures and water saving faucets should be seriously implemented through national housing projects and will save a great deal of energy and a vital natural resource such as water. Solutions concerning window treatments will prevent heat exchange between interior and exterior environments thus indirectly saving energy consumption required for warming up or cooling surroundings.

Environmentally Certified products including electrical fixtures, window treatments, paints, plumbing valves, flush valves and water piping systems should be strictly applied through local building codes.

The adoption of the recycling concept can barely be seen due to a missing recycling industry. The product cycle and the benefits are not clearly apparent among ordinary individuals and daily consumers; again because of absent media material.

Ecological awareness has to be presented to our kids in schools at early ages in form of solutions and personally-affecting benefits. Media should focus on economical advantages simply touching everyday consumer in case of using eco-certified labeled products. Also introducing a green product as a healthier and more hygienic solution could be another aspect. Finally governments have to add on environmentally certified fixtures as essentials within building codes.

Mohamed M. Khalifa: an interior designer and founder of Flair Egypt; an interior design, decor and planning practice. Flair provides innovative design solutions and fine contracting services for residential, commercial, office and hospitality projects. More info and free consultation available at http://www.flair-egypt.com or send an email to m.khalifa@flair-egypt.com

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