Monday, April 30, 2012

5 Simple Tips to Reduce your Carbon Footprint








As part of national Keep America Beautiful month, Heartland Builders would like to help you reduce your carbon footprint and live a little greener at your new home. Homes built by Heartland Builders meet the Green Built Michigan standards, which will save both you and the environment on your energy bills. Green homes by Heartland Builders help you conserve energy and water with added luxury and style. To learn more about Heartland’s Green Building practices, click here.  Here are a few easy tips for living green and enjoying the beauty of your new home near Grand Rapids.

1.      Turn off the lights in your new home when you are not using them. This rule applies to small appliances like your TV or coffee maker as well. Leaving lights or appliances on when not in use, wastes both energy and money.

2.      Only run your dishwasher, dryer or washing machine if they are full. This simple practice will conserve water and save you money.  

3.      Buy local produce. Shop at the farmer’s market for foods grown locally and in season. This saves your wallet and the environment from excess packaging and transportation costs to ship the food to the grocery store.

4.      Cook and eat meals with your friends and family. It is much cheaper and easier to cook a meal for many people at your new home than it is to cook for only one or two people. It’s also more fun! Share your best recipes and enjoy spring and summer with cookouts and barbecues.

5.      Recycle and reuse products when possible. Take a reusable mug to the coffee shop or use canvas bags to carry your groceries back to your new home. Be creative too. Old take-out containers make great seed starters for vegetables, herbs or flowers for your garden, deck or patio.  

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