Real Estate Community Forum

I have seen many new ideas come into the market that are designed to save our environment. One of my favorite green technologies is an in-floor water-heating system. This system is designed so heat is produced evenly and the system is extremely energy-efficient. It is capable of warming the house quickly without blowing air around, which helps maintain indoor air quality. In addition, the heat distribution is so even, you can be very comfortable with the thermostat set at lower temperatures.

Does anyone else have any other suggestions for keeping you house environmentally friendly?

So many things on the store shelves in the cleanser aisle are simply products that are either harsher than needed or fancy and attractive packaging. The wonderful mops and disposable heads that are part of cleaning systems have to be the most obvious. Every item you throw away and don’t recycle is increasing your footprint on our planet. Each piece of cardboard or plastic packaging that you must remove and then put in the trash does, too. But when you buy a cleanser that uses a metal spray can or a disposable head or piece of plastic and paper the traps the soil so you can “just throw it away”, you are missing a very important point. You pay for convenience. That is the double whammy. Not only are you hurting the environment (imagine how many millions of those disposable items hit the landfill every day ), but you are paying premium prices to do so. A pair of latex gloves and a re-usable scrubber will get that toilet just as sparkling as a disposable head cleanser. And though it dissolves, that head is one of the solids that must be handled at the waste water treatment facility. A clever paper head for a wet water mop system is no better at getting up dirt than a rag at the end of a human hand. You also get some ( possibly much needed ) back stretching and exercising if you do use the rag. Rags are very easy to wash with other laundry, or can even be cleaned out in the sink after the dishes. Getting a little exercise when possible and using old towels just seems so much better than watching my household budget keep climbing at the same rate as the piles in the landfill.

Don’t you agree?

You have a good point of view. I support your comments about plastic and how we are damaging our planet. I don't think many people really understand the damage we are causing and the problems that future generations will have because of our self indulgences. It seems that people need to be educated more about this. It should start with our schools who can inform the youth and more campaigns should be started on what we can do to protect our planet.

Unfortunately, many people are too busy to deal with this topic. People today are focused with paying the bills, hoping they have a job as the economy keeps going down, or dealing with health problems. Saving our planet is something we put on the back burner for others to "deal with." Does anyone agree or do you see people making a conscious effort to protect our planet?

Many people where I live celebrate earth day. Usually on this day, people educate one another on ways we can all protect our planet. Others spend the day planting trees and flowers in their community. I think its a great way to educate the public about our planet and what we can do to save it.

I myself try to conserve water by taking quick showers and always recycle my trash. In addition, I try not to drive my car if it's not necessary. Cars cause air pollution and wastes oil. I prefer to walk or use my bike. It's much better for the environment and healthier for me.

Planting trees and flowers is very symbolic of Earth Day, and has been for decades. What most people don’t seem to think about is the amount of water needed to keep them healthy. I have to tell you right up front I believe grass lawns are not the best solution for landscaping. They might have been fine in the 1950’s, but we simply don’t have enough water any more to waste it on grass.

On the other hand, there are so many native plants available that there is no need for it any more. I can’t imagine a house that really needs a bright green lawn more than a native ground cover. As a native, the planting gets every drop it needs from rain. It blends in with the surroundings and makes the house feel “at home” with the area. With a little mulch worked in, it will thrive and keep out most weeds because it is so healthy.

Dry climate gardening has a lot of other advantages, too. Pesticides aren’t needed as often, if at all. The soil is protected against erosion, and actually becomes healthier without the fertilizers used to coax foreign plants to grow. And let’s not forget the cost of buying and feeding that lawn mower, or finding somebody willing to use it regularly. Trees that are suited for the area only need to be watered for a couple of years. After that, the roots will keep them healthy forever. The branches are also more likely to withstand wind and storms better than an imported tree. In a setting of native ground covers and bushes, the tree is elegant and proper, and never looks like an intruder in the neighborhood. So much of being “environmentally friendly” depends on living with your surroundings instead of trying desperately to change them. At least that’s how it seems to me.

One way is by using energy-saving lightbulbs. You can also use solar panels to save electricity.

I think we should avoid plastic as much as we can and we can make compost from the things we put in to garbage. Then we can make our environment clean as well.

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