Our Eco Friendly Home

Since we moved in to our house in 2007, we added alot of eco friendly amenties.

People often tell us they can't afford to do the big changes that we have.  We understand that, and we have been able to, because we have forgone things such as vacations away for many years to put money towards them.  We also have saved money from implementing alot of small changes that we have been able to put towards the big expenses.  In addition to the health benefits to people & the environment, these changes will pay for themselves over the long term,
so we felt they were worthwhile. 

We have also made alot of inexpensive small changes that make a big difference, that most people can do to go green. 
We also repair things (such as a TV and stove) to make them last longer (and save money). 

We have listed our eco-friendly changes below in to the categories:
1) inexpensive, 2) moderately expensive, and 3) very expensive.

---

Inexpensive
($5-$300)

1.  CFL or LED lightbulbs 

2.  Three rain barrels

3.  Clothesline (the ultimate use of solar and wind energy together!).  We also hang clothes up inside in the winter (free!)

4.  Vegetable garden (the most local food we can find)

5.  Low VOC paint to walls (Natura).

6.  Planted a tree

7.  Low flow showerheads & tap aerators

8.  Solar cell phone charger (Solio)

9.  Four ceiling fans

10.  Composter

11.  Solar desk lamp (Ikea)

12.  Insulating wrap to hot water pipes

13.  Organic cotton bathroom and bedroom linens (Sears)

14.  Programmable thermomstat

15.  Worm Chalet (for indoor vermiposting). 

Outdoor Lighting

LED for outdoor use.    We have found the Canadian cold weather decreases the life of CFLs outside. 

---

Worm Chalet

---

Moderately Expensive
($300-$5000)

1.  Dual flush toilet sink toilets (Caroma Profile Smart)

2.  Two sun tunnels (Velux)

3.  Front loading washing machine

4.  Countertop made from recycled materials - glass, ceramic, stone scraps, crystallized ash and mirror (Eco by Cosentino) 

5.  Sun oven (Solar Direct)

6.  LED TV

7.  Locally made stainless steel kitchen sink (Signature by Elkay). 

Let there be light

Sun tunnel (skylight) in a window-less bathroom

---

The Old & the New in the Kitchen

Recycled materials countertop with water efficient fixture and locally made stainless sink.  We replaced the forest green laminate countertop due to water damage & a big burn mark.

Note the compost bin on the old stove in the background.  We repaired the stove, which at the time just needed a $40 element to become operational again. 

The tea towel is recycled too.  It used to belong to my grandmother. 

---

Very Expensive
(over $5000)

1.  Stone coated steel roof - will last our lifetimes & can use roof water for our vegetable garden (New Steel Roofers)

2.  Solar photovoltaic panels (Eco Alternative Energy)

3.  Two used hybrid cars (Toyota)

The Hybrid Advantage

Several retailers have preferred parking for hybrid vehicles. 

Saving gas, money, emissions, AND getting a great parking spot!   

---

Home photography credit:  Vi Peacock