Calgary Green Tips

Want more green? Here are some easy to follow and simple tips and ideas on how you can do your part of keeping the planet green for our children.

Lighting: Save energy and the environment by:

• Using led lights and infra-red motion detector light switches.
  
  
• Solar tubes,  aka (solar tunnels) let you enjoy the benefit of a skylight without installing a standard-size skylight shaft.  Allows natural light into any room and saves energy.
  
  
• Contrary to popular beliefs, fluorescent & HID type lamps are not a environmentally friendly alternative to incandescent bulbs. Mercury is essential and the following fluorescent lamps provide lighting for most schools, office buildings and stores. Hid lamps, which include mercury-vapour, metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps, are used for street lights, floodlights and industrial lighting. A typical fluorescent lamp is composed of a phosphor-coated glass tube with electrodes located at either end. The tube contains mercury, of which only a very small amount is in vapour form.  At the end of the bulbs life, the mercury too will end up on landfills causing pollution.

We suggest the use of the latest technology in LED (light emitting diode) lighting instead of the fluorescent type bulbs. Led bulbs are the true solution to the previously known incandescent bulbs, and although - LED's have been around for decades, it is just recently that they became so widely used in such variety of applications. (http://www.superbrightleds.com/)

Faucets & Toilets: choosing a toilet with a water sense label will use at least 20% less water than any other “low-flow” models.  We also offer a variety of stylish, dual-flush toilets.

Timer Type Switches:  can be used for a variety of applications such as your bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans. We offer assistance with installing such devices.

Windows: reduce indoor air pollution and ventilate the room naturally with energy-efficient windows.

Floors: when considering a laminate floor, look for one that has low urea-formaldehyde emissions.

Paint: using paints with low or zero voc’s is better for the air both inside and outside your home.

Durability: choosing high quality, durable products, will last longer and less likely to end up  in the landfill.

Moisture Resistance: choosing products, for example a good quality exhaust fan and systems that are moisture resistant means biological contaminants and bacteria won’t grow in your home.

Fun Green Tips!

Clean glass doors the eco-friendly way. Spray them with a mixture of equal parts of distilled white vinegar & water. Then go over the glass with a squeegee.

Use recycled toilet paper. You’ll help save trees and reduce environmental pollution.

Adding live plants can improve air quality and boosts oxygen level in your Calgary home.

If you are looking for a professional Calgary renovation contractor, please call us today at 403.400.7789 or complete our free, no obligation, consultation form.