Green(er) houses
Small changes make a big difference
By Jodi Helmer 04/15/2010
Going green may seem like no small task, but author Jodi Helmer is determined to show readers how small changes can have a major impact in “The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference.”
The inspiration for the book, now in its second printing, came after the Toronto native moved to North Carolina after years of living in Oregon. “Green living wasn’t a choice; it was just how you lived there. I took public transportation because it was easy, accessible and cheap; shopped at the farmer’s market because it was good and convenient; and everyone just naturally brought canvas bags to the store,” she said.
After local bagboys eyed her canvas bags with suspicion and newfound friends confided green angst, Helmer decided it was time that someone revealed how simple it actually is to go green. “There’s a misconception that being green is expensive, time-consuming and difficult. I knew that it wasn’t because I had been doing it for so long. So I wanted to do something that helped people realize that it isn’t the costly nightmare they think it is.”
Her solution was to compile 365 simple, cost-effective changes — one for each day of the year — that everyone can make.
Covering every facet of home and garden, the book offers suggestions ranging from running your pool sweeper overnight (during off-peak energy usage hours) to buying a gallon of milk instead of two half gallons, because it takes less energy to manufacture the larger container.
Helmer advocates that same approach when you’re considering a renovation or construction project. “Little steps make a huge difference. If you’re ripping out old toilets, sinks or counter tops, take those materials to a place that will resell them, which is so much better than putting them in a landfill, because a porcelain sink or toilet is never going to break down,” she said. “If you’re tackling a large remodeling project, you should definitely look for someone who knows about green building. If you’re not sure where to find one, the US Green Building Council (usgbc.org) has great referrals and Co-op America Green Pages (coopamerica.org) also has lists of green builders. It takes some of the onus off you. You’ll be making so many decisions that it’s helpful to have someone help you navigate through those choices.”
For smaller projects, Helmer advocates starting with a home energy audit. “It will make you aware of where your home is losing energy and where you can get the most bang for your buck. It may be something as simple as adding weather stripping rather than replacing all the windows in your home. It can provide some great recommendations.”
But being green shouldn’t mean sacrificing style. “You can do all the things you want to do — it’s just a matter of deciding what the most environmentally friendly option is. If you’re redoing your flooring, you may consider cork or bamboo as opposed to carpet, or if you like the feel of carpet, opt for wool as opposed to synthetic fibers. Likewise, everyone who starts a remodeling project inevitably ends up painting, so choose a low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint,” she said.
The results of these little decisions will add up to a cleaner, greener home that’s better for the environment and for your peace of mind.
“The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference” by Jodi Helmer (Alpha Books, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., publisher, $14.95, soft cover). Story courtesy IE News Service
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