As many of you know, being green is something that I keep very close to my heart. While many see this a more modern trend, there is a way to marry two of my favorite things: living green while living in a historic home. Here are 10 tips on how to sustain your historic home in a green way.
- Recycle! While this may seem pretty obvious, there are probably a few levels you haven’t thought about. Glass, paper, and plastic may be among the most obvious, but you can also recycle batteries, metal, paint and more. And if you can’t recycle it? Reuse it, create a trendy craft! Head over to my Pinterest page for some ideas.
- Change ALL your light bulbs to compact florescent or LEDs. Sure you may have switched out the lamp lights, but did you get the outdoor flood lights or the lights in the kitchen and the bath. Remember this is good for the environment AND good for your wallet!
- Unplug electrical devices not in use. It may be annoying to reset the clock on the microwave, but who really uses anything but a cell phone to check time anymore?
- Insulate the attic to at least R-38 and add a radiant barrier.
- Invest in a properly sized HVAC system and ducts.
- Buy only EnergyStar appliances, including computers or TVs.
- Change out toilets to low-flow models.
- Xeriscape the garden (this is Texas after all – think cactus!), minimize turfgrass, and maintain irrigation system.
Cacti are a beautiful way to xeriscape.
- Use only low-VOC products: paint, polyurethane, plywood, carpet, cleaning solutions, furniture, etc.
- Practice conservation everyday. This is a choice that must be made everyday in every way until it is habit.
Looking for a historic home of your own? Love the idea of living green, but want a more traditional feel? Call me today, I am a Historic House Specialist as well as GREEN certified. Check out my website (www.downhomeurban.com) to search properties in the area, or call me and let me do the work for you!
Downhome Urban 