How to Green-Up Your Home’s Value

How to Green-Up Your Home’s Value


(ARA) - Want a good way to help protect the value of your home? Remember these two words: green matters. Not green paint, mind you, but green space. It’s an umbrella term for the trees, lawn, shrubs and other plantings that can affect not only the salability of your home, but your utility bills as well.



Which is why Project EverGreen, a national non-profit organization, is leading the charge to educate consumers about the many values of green space -- especially as it affects their pocketbooks.



According to Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen, “research shows that improving the green space around your home can have real economic benefits.”



Protecting Home Value



Gardner cites a number of studies which show that sprucing up your green space can help protect and, depending on market conditions, bolster home value. For example: a study cited in Smart Money magazine indicated that consumers value a landscaped home up to 11.3 percent higher than its base price. In addition, The Wall Street Journal reported that landscaping investment is normally recovered fully and sometimes doubled by its ability to increase home value.



That sounds good, but Gardner adds this important caution: “It’s wise to plan before you plant. Make sure you begin landscape improvement or renovation with well-thought-out ideas for maintaining and/or improving your green space. You may want to do the work yourself -- and that’s good exercise; however, it’s always wise to seek professional advice to get the right balance and placement of trees, shrubs, grass and other plantings.”



As evidence of this he cited a research project conducted by the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI). This showed that a sophisticated landscape design with trees and large, colorful bedding plants can raise the perceived value of a home between 5 and 11 percent. On the other hand, consumer reaction was that minimalist landscapes (i.e. with small plant size and low sophistication) actually decreased the perception of home value.



Saving Energy Costs



Planning the right mix of trees, grass and other plantings can also make a difference in a home’s energy consumption. One study has estimated that when properly placed to shade your home, trees can reduce air conditioning demand by 10 to 30 percent. Another study found attic temperatures could be up to 40 degrees lower when adequate shade was present.



“There are two ways you take advantage of this natural cooling effect,” Gardner says. “First, if you have mature trees make sure they’re pruned properly to maximize shade benefits, and second, in planning for future shade, seek professional advice as to the type and location of the trees you should plant. Both steps can help lower your electrical bill.”



Also, don’t overlook how maintaining a thick, healthy lawn and other plants also provides cooling benefits. “This is due to a process known as evapotranspiration.  Gardner says. “When vegetation is warmed by the sun it gives up water which then evaporates to cool not only the plant itself but the surrounding area as well. The result is one of nature’s most overlooked, and yet most efficient cooling systems. In fact, researchers have calculated that evapotranspiration from the front lawns in a block of eight houses, produces cooling equivalent to 70 tons of air conditioning.”



You can find more information about these and other benefits of green space by accessing www.projectevergreen.com.



Courtesy of ARAcontent

Everyday Tips for Going Green

Conservation Starts at Home: Everyday Tips for Going Green



(ARA) - It seems green is the color for the season, and not just on the runway. Environmentalism is here in full force, and by the looks of things, it’s here to stay. One area that is red hot -- or green hot, as the case may be -- is making your home environmentally friendly. And it’s no wonder. Anything that saves money and the planet is a sure-fire win in anyone’s book. If you are looking for a way to go green around the house, start by taking steps to conserve water and energy. Try out these easy ways to care for the earth, enjoy your home and save money.



Don’t Waste the Water

When it comes to water conservation, every drop counts. Look around your home for any leaky faucets and get them repaired as soon as possible. You can also save on water in the bathroom by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. They save on energy costs by cutting down on water usage, and with less hot water being used, less water is being heated.



Laundry is also a big water-eater. With kids, it seems clothes get dirtier by the second. But you can easily conserve water by adjusting your “squeamish” threshold. Dry off with that towel more than once before tossing it into the hamper. And, unless you are out roping steer every day, you can often get by with a two or three wears before laundering your jeans. Remember, every little bit helps.



By far, the best way to conserve water is to make it a family affair. Get your kids on the bandwagon by teaching them the value of water. Show them how to turn off the water when they brush their teeth or take a quick shower, and of course, set a great example.



Green Up the Air

Heating and cooling our homes is one of those touchy subjects we all have to deal with. Sure, I want to save energy and preserve our planet, but when sweat is dripping down my neck in the summer and my teeth are chattering in the winter, self-preservation wins out every time. Fortunately, there are great ways to save on energy costs so you can feel comfortable without feeling guilty.



Hands down, the best way to green your home is to invest in a high-efficiency HVAC system that is Energy Star certified. By installing a high-efficiency HVAC system you will reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted. And if that’s not enough to smile about, you also shave a big chunk of change off your utility bills. Look for a product with a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, which means it meets strict government standards for energy efficiency. Today’s government standard is 13 SEER, but American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning has a wide range of products on the market that meet and exceed the standard, reaching as high as 18 SEER.



Another helpful tip is to clean out your filters or replace them regularly. A dirty filter will quickly hamper the airflow, costing you more money to run your system. And, of course, when you’re not home, adjust your thermostat to compliment the changing weather temperatures outside. One of the easiest ways to regulate this is to use an automated thermostat. American Standard has a variety of thermostats to choose from. Just as every drop of water counts, every temperature degree counts. You can save about three percent of your heating costs for every degree you lower your thermostat during the winter, and up to six percent for every degree you raise it during the summer. This adds up quickly!



Greening it Together

Make saving energy a game by getting the family on board. Post your utility bill where everyone in the family can see it, and as a group try to lower it by ten dollars next month, perhaps twenty the month after that. Before you realize it, you’ll be line drying heavy items like comforters or pants, or cleaning out the filters in your fridge to make it run more efficiently. Little steps here and there add up in no time.



No one has to suffer when it comes to greening up your home. On the contrary, by making the challenge fun, you can get everyone in the family on board. As a result, everyone comes out a winner -- your home, your wallet, your family and your planet.



Courtesy of ARAcontent



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EDITOR’S NOTE:



Hannah Keeley is a lifestyle expert, author and founder of TotalMom.com. Her work has been published in numerous publications and she has been featured on national television programming as the go-to source for moms.

Do You Think Green When You Travel?

ARA) - Think "green" when you travel? Eco-tourism is a growing movement that encourages environmentally responsible travel around the world.

“Regardless of where you plan to visit this summer, being kind to Mother Nature during your travels is easier than you may think,” said Jeanenne Diefendorf, Orbitz Travel Insider. “Whether you rent a hybrid car, choose to offset your carbon emissions, or spend a week cleaning beaches, eco-friendly travel is a growing trend that everyone can contribute to on many different levels.”

Making big contributions to the environment on your own can often seem overwhelming, but there are plenty of simple things any traveler can do to make a difference when you’re on the road.

* Conserve at home while you’re away. Before you leave for vacation, turn down the thermostat, lower the water heater, and stop newspaper delivery for the duration of your trip.

* Stay at a “green” hotel. Many lodging properties use wind and solar power as energy sources or purchase only environmentally-friendly products, such as "green" detergents for linens and soaps. Check out www.eco.orbitz.com to find eco-friendly hotels in your destination city.

* Rent a hybrid car. Write your favorite rental car company and tell them you want to rent a hybrid vehicle. Some rental companies are already offering hybrid rentals in certain areas of the world. Some eco-friendly hotels even offer free parking to guests who are driving these efficient vehicles.

* Offset your carbon footprint. If you’re flying or driving, you’re contributing to carbon dioxide emissions already in the environment. CO2 emissions are a major cause of global climate change. Check out non-profit organizations like Carbonfund.org that allow you to contribute to carbon-offsetting initiatives such as reforestation projects and renewable energy programs.

* Get involved. Whether its one day or one week, spend some of your vacation time giving back to the local environment in the community you visit. Volunteer opportunities are plentiful and help is always needed for activities such as trail maintenance and beach clean-up.

So, whether you’re off to see the lights of New York City or the depths of the Grand Canyon, make this summer vacation a green one!

Courtesy of ARAcontent

KID Times garden

Give your child some space; literally! Kids loving having spaces that are all their own, whether it's their own desk area in the house, or the tent they've created with chairs and blankets in the family room. The same is true for gardening. Dedicate a small plot of the garden just for them. Put a fancy border around it, perhaps purchase one of the stepping stone making kits found at crafts stores in which they can mold their name and make their handprint.

Let them join you at the nursery. Let your kids know you value their opinion. Ask them which kinds of plants, flowers, and vegetables they like. Explain what will work well in your garden and what won't.
Give them (limited) choices. While you're at the nursery, ask them if they'd like pansies or petunias, marigolds or zinnias. This will give them the feeling of power without letting it get out of control.
Remind them money doesn't grow on trees. With older children discuss the budget. Let them help select seeds and blossoming plants at the nursery - and turn it into a math lesson. Let your child do the money calculations; they can tell you when the money runs out.
Let your child do what he will (especially if you have a preschooler). Let him dig, explore, play with bugs. You may be tempted to steer your child in another direction (like actually watering or weeding his garden), but this is a great way for your child to explore this exciting new universe.
Plan, plan, plan. If you have older children, say 8 or 9 or older, let them plot out their own garden on paper. Provide him or her with graph paper, pencils and seed catalogs. Give them a group of flowers and vegetables from which to choose, and then let them draw out their garden.
Get them their own gardening tools. Nothing will motivate your little gardener more than having her own little shovel, her own gardening gloves, and her own watering pail. And don't forget those bright colored rubber boots

5 Tips for "Going Green" in Mind, Body, and Spirit

5 Tips for "Going Green" in Mind, Body, and Spirit ...
Posted by David Romanelli

The push toward green living is hitting the mainstream. We are recycling waste, eating organic, and buying free-trade. We are at least acknowledging our addiction to oil and starting to take steps toward more sustainable living. But the outside is a reflection of the inside. And to truly "go green" is a statement of union with the world on the outside and the world on the inside. You protect trees, skies, and seas -- but you also protect the mind, body, and spirit.

Here are some tips on going green that you might not see in your local paper:

1. Protect the present moment.
Just 20 years ago, people smoked on airplanes, cars spewed dirty exhaust, and people didn't think twice before dropping a soda can on the street. Now, if you did any of the above, you’d probably hear people hootin' and hollerin'! But the fact is that we pollute the present moment the way we used to pollute the environment. We answer the cell phone while engaged in conversation with someone in the same room. We return emails while ordering coffee at Starbucks. We drive while sending a text message.

The present moment is the arena where life happens. In other words, all you remember in life are moments. If the moment is uncomfortable and filled with obstructions, you'll never have deep and moving life experiences. If you really want to go green, respect the colleague with whom you are speaking. Give them your undivided attention. Respect the human being from whom you are ordering your coffee. Turn off your cell phone. Respect the woman crossing the street with her baby in the stroller. Be wary of driving and texting. Have dignity for the present moment.

2. Embrace the energy of stillness.
Just as solar power and biodiesel are slowly reducing our consumption of oil, the sustainable energy of stillness can diminish the use of force. We learn in popular culture that giving 100%, training like an Olympian, and studying your whole life will bring you success. The ancient Eastern cultures have a different approach. They believe that if you carve out moments in your day where you quiet the mind and body, you tap a deeper form of strength. This power of presence is often referred to as "shakti."

Maybe it's not realistic for you to suddenly become still in life. But you can learn to create sacred moments every single day. Try it. Right smack in the middle of your day, lie down, put on a relaxing song, quiet the mind, and quiet your vibration. You will be more alluring, more attractive, more attentive. But most importantly, you will be strong in the ways of spirit.

3. Tap your brain's potential.
A human being can utilize a mostly untapped and "clean source of power" from their very own brain. According to The Einstein Factor by Win Wenger and Richard Poe, the human brain can store up to 280,000,000,000,000,000,000 bits of memory. And estimates of the brain's speed of operation have ranged from 100 to 100,000 teraflops (a teraflop is 1 trillion flops, the standard measure of computing speed). In comparison, the world's fastest supercomputer operates at only 100 billion flops.

So yes, a human being has awesome computing power. Yet we search far and wide for education, knowledge, answers. But remember -- you've got to stop the car before you can get in and drive. Through meditation and stillness, learn to quiet the mind so that you can tap the greatest computer of all … your very own brain!

4. Work smart.
Once you understand that the brain has tremendous power, just give it a direction and a destination and the brain will take you where you want to go. Usually, the brain is like a racehorse we can't seem to harness. Every little stimulation lures the brain in one direction or another. By harnessing and quieting the brain, you recognize that "your action is meant to be a way to enjoy what you created through thought. If you do not take the time to line up your thoughts, there is not enough action in the world to compensate for that misalignment," according to The Law of Attraction by Ester and Jerry Hicks. The point? Don’t work hard, work smart!

5. Harness the wind, ride the current, and surf the wave.
There is a natural "current" described throughout the ancient Eastern spiritual arts. The yogis call it prana, the Chinese call it chi. Some refer to it as a wind, the breath, the sea. When a great song's melody sweeps your mind up and away, that is the current. When you dip into a sweet Savasana's magical ascent, that is the current. When the perfect plate of penne amatriciana brings your taste buds into an ecstatic joyride, that is the current. By riding this current, you are swept into opportunity, synchronicity, and happiness. By not taking time to enjoy life, you resist the current and, no matter how hard you work, there's always a sense of struggle.

So quiet the mind, still the body, live in the moment -- and go green!

Why We Should Worry

According to the EPA, most homes have airborne concentrations of hazardous chemicals that are two to five times higher indoors than outdoors.

According to the EPA, toxic chemicals found in the home are three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor airborne pollutants.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission connects 150 chemicals commonly found in our homes to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological disorders.

The National Cancer Institute has a list of twenty known carcinogens and over 2,200 chemicals that are probable carcinogens. Many of these chemicals are in the cleaners and personal care products you buy at your local grocery store.

What can you do?

There are many safe products on the market... all you have to do is change brands of products.

Think about what you can do:

Go Green