| It seems that the recent inflationary setbacks of | | | | fruit trees which will emanate oxygen into the |
| the past months have caused many of us to | | | | environment. All vegetable and fruit peelings used |
| rethink our life-styles. Home buyers are now | | | | to be ploughed back into Grandma's garden in the |
| placing energy efficiency high on their list of | | | | form of compost; saves on buying chemicals to |
| wants. | | | | nurture your vegetables. Read about how to |
| This means that small improvements to your | | | | compost on line. |
| home that can be listed as 'green' will be a selling | | | | Here is a simple one that saves gas: keep a |
| plus in this new environment. Switching to 'green' | | | | shopping list! It will save endless trips to the |
| is supported by a recent survey published by and | | | | 'corner shop' if you stop forgetting groceries! If |
| echoes findings from the National Association of | | | | you can encourage the family to walk or bike |
| Home Builders (NAHB). | | | | more, your health will benefit as much as the |
| The poll conducted by was focused on which | | | | environment. |
| type of 'extras' prospective home buyers would | | | | Solar heating panels would be great, but |
| choose in a new home. Not surprisingly in view of | | | | remember your windows are a variation of this. |
| the escalating cost of living that we have been | | | | Keep drapes and blinds open when the sun shines |
| experiencing lately, over 49% of them opted for | | | | on the window to let the warmth radiate through |
| energy saving amenities. Only 31% of potential | | | | the glass; at night time close them to keep |
| buyers rated luxury amenities as top of their list. | | | | warmth in, up to one third of home heat can be |
| A poll where prospective home-owners would | | | | saved by closing drapes. Turn your heat down by |
| choose 'green living' over luxury goods reveals the | | | | two degrees when you go to bed. |
| struggle that many Americans have faced, in fact | | | | Another small saving will be gained if you turn off |
| 81% of participants admit to financial set-backs in | | | | the heating and close the doors in the rooms that |
| their house buying plans. Most obstacles are | | | | you do not use. Try to remind the children to turn |
| quoted as revolving around the economy, the | | | | down their heat dials before they leave for school. |
| house prices and their own incomes, according to | | | | It only takes a minute for the rooms to warm up |
| the survey. | | | | again. |
| A previous survey conducted by the NAHB | | | | Heating takes a large chunk of our money during |
| confirms that Americans want to pay less for | | | | the winter months; have you thought of installing |
| their energy; 64% of participants cited "reduced | | | | a wood stove with an outside chimney (the |
| energy costs" to be the most important aspect | | | | easiest to install)? The new stoves that leave |
| of choosing to go green, whereas only 55% | | | | almost no residual wood and are almost |
| would choose it "because it is healthier". | | | | 'smokeless' are part of a grant scheme offered |
| Everything is pointing to the fact that Americans | | | | by some governments. |
| want to save energy - and money. Can this be | | | | A wood stove will offer a choice of heating in |
| done without investing a lot of cash in new | | | | your home, and so this will increase the value of |
| products? The answer is yes, there are life style | | | | it. Stack your cord(s) of wood against an outside |
| choices we can make, that we used to make, but | | | | wall to help increase the insulation of your home. |
| which have dropped by the way side of | | | | Double glazing is a sure way to save on energy |
| consumerism. There are also small investments | | | | bills, but it can be expensive. However, |
| we can make in our homes to give it 'green' | | | | weather-stripping around the windows and doors |
| appeal. | | | | can keep a lot of cold air from coming in. |
| For green lifestyle choices, we can think back to | | | | Meanwhile, as winter and the heavy heating bills |
| our Grandma's day. Start now by growing your | | | | creep closer, remember Grandma and stock up |
| own organic winter vegetables and invest in two | | | | on clothes in thermal and woolen fabrics! |