Over the last few years, buying environment friendly products for the home has become an increasingly important consideration for homeowners looking to make "green" improvements to their living space. To address this growing need, products such as flooring, lighting and paneling, as well as materials like paint and varnish are now readily available for virtually every remodeling project and every room in the house.
Numerous States have now also adopted legislation that limits the use of products that contain harmful fumes or chemicals. The good thing about this is, other than the obvious Green benefits, that many of the products that adhere to the new legislation are also becoming more affordable and are therefore more likely to be found on the shelves in our local hardware and home improvement stores.
See The Light! And Still Save on Energy Bills
It's no secret that energy prices have soared and if you are planning a home improvement project, one of the simplest ways you can protect the environment - as well as save money - is to use less electricity.
Lighting and major appliances consume the most electricity; simply by switching to fluorescent bulbs, you can save up to 30% a year on your electricity bills. You can save a noticeable amount of money on your lighting costs by painting walls a lighter color, thus distributing light more effortlessly as well as making rooms appear brighter.
Leaking ducts can account for a surprising amount of wasted energy - up to 30%. If you are planning to caulk around ducts, vents and windows be sure to use a product that complies with recent regulations concerning the use of less VOCs in its manufacture. These are volatile organic compounds which contain pollutants that damage the ozone layer, and also contribute to producing smog.
Paint may be your biggest cause of concern if you are planning a home improvement project. Read the small print on the tin to make sure it complies with VOC standards - almost 30 brands are now readily available. Typically, lighter colors of paint tend to contain fewer VOCs.
Tip-Top Countertops
Kitchen countertops are an area where it is possible to help the environment. A recent innovation is a countertop made entirely of recycled paper and water-based resin. You can also install countertops made of paper and cement so that the production involves no quarrying that damages the land.
The bathroom is one of the most important areas where you can help protect the environment. Around 75% of all water used in the home is used by the bathroom shower, toilet and sink combined. Low flow or adjustable showerheads are easy to install and a dual flush toilet - offering a full or half-flush - can potentially lower a typical water bill by up to $75 a year. An estimated 4 trillion gallons of water would be saved every year in the United States if every household installed a dual flush toilet.
The Japanese are well known for their inventive labor-saving and technologically advanced devices. One of their latest innovations may soon be commonplace in the United States - an ingenious combination toilet/bathroom sink - you wash your hands in water that is then used to flush the toilet.
Get Floored! In The Utmost Style of Course
And one of the biggest trends in home improvement? Many people, especially those moving into a new home, consider installing a new floor covering as one of their most important projects. Cork, bamboo and reclaimed wood flooring all have a strong visual appeal as well as helping the environment, and in recent years, these alternative materials for flooring have become popular.
Cork flooring has excellent insulating qualities and can save on energy costs; it also reduces noise and can help keep a home free from allergens. What's more, it is surprisingly tough as well as being water resistant.
And one other thing to keep in mind if you are "going green" when remodeling or improving your home. Always dispose of old or unwanted materials safely - many materials can be donated for people to reuse, or otherwise recycled. If in doubt, check with your county recycling program.
The next time you are making improvements to your living space be sure to do your bit to protect our precious planet... Go Green!
It goes without saying that using recycled promotional products in your marketing campaigns will not only help your company but also the common public and will go a long way in enhancing the reputation of the company. By distributing environment friendly recycled promotional products in your campaigns your company will also get an opportunity to do its bit to the society which experts? recognise as an important step towards making long term association with customers. In short, if you want to build long-term relations with your clients and consequently wish to ensure steady business then recycled promotional items are the way to go.
At Ideasbynet, there are varieties of environment friendly promotional gifts but certain promotional items score over other gifts in many ways. Some of the promotional items which our experts feel are great at promoting business are as follows:-
* Promotional eco recycled bags- Shoppers delight! A great item for sellers as it can be used to pack products which in addition to offering convenience to customers will also help advertise for your products and services. You have many options in eco recycled bags like long handled recycled bags, short handled recycled bags, drawstring recycled bags and paper recycled bags which are appropriate for spreading your brand message. * Promotional recycled coasters- A perfect value for money. The promotional recycled coasters can be gifted to corporate as well as retail customers. You can choose from promotional recycled tyre coasters and promotional recycled CD cases coasters. These recycled coasters are an economical but efficient way to promote business. * Recycled tyre mouse mats- The eco friendly mouse mats are a great way to promote your brands. Manufactured from recycled tyres these mouse mats can take your business to new heights by regularly reminding your customers about your company and its products. * Promotional recycled mugs- Mugs have always been preferred promotional gifts for companies. And the icing on the cake is, these are environment friendly too. The stylish and attractive recycled mugs are a great way of impressing your clients. You have the options to choose from non chip recycled mugs, classic and standard recycled mugs. * Recycled note pads- A great gift in conferences, seminar and business meeting. Gift theses note pads, made up of recycled paper, to your customers and make a quick impression on them. Available in all sizes and in many varieties, these note pads are a great way to promote your brands.
In addition to above mentioned gifts there are many promotional items like recycled pencil cases and recycled rulers which are great brand promotion tools for educational institutions. To know more about recycled promotional gifts or to book orders please click at www.ideasbynet.com.
Both Tom Willmar & Gareth Parkin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Tom Willmar has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bathroom Vanity, Debts Loans and Home Management. Tom Willmar specializes in writing about environmental issues. He also operates a consumer guide to. Visit. Tom Willmar's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
Gareth Parkin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Promotional Advertising, Promotional Advertising and Web Development. Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet, the UK's largest online source of and other recycled promotional gifts. He has taken the UK g. Gareth Parkin's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.