Many large-scale renovations only make sense for homeowners. Naturally, you don’t want to invest your hard-earned money on costly upgrades that get left behind when moving out of an apartment or rental home. But luckily, there are lots of ways to reduce your environmental footprint and save money even if you don’t own the property you call home.
Rainwater is an amazing resource, and it’s totally free. Rain barrels are great for small gardens, but finding a good place for them can be tough. And what if you want to collect larger quantities of water, or safely store drinking water? The Rainwater HOG is the answer you’ve been looking for.
Many people purify their drinking water, either with built-in under-sink filters or with pitchers in the refrigerator. But few homeowners think about filtering their shower water, even though contaminants can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled in steam. Luckily, a Vitamin C shower filter is extremely effective and easy to use.
In a couple recent articles, we’ve looked at the water- and money-saving potential of dual-flush toilets and low flush designs. But now Texas-based Niagara Conservation has taken water conservation to the next level with a super-efficient toilet that’s ultra quiet, and doesn’t sacrifice any flushing performance.
A good garden hose isn’t just durable. It also won’t contain nasty chemicals that might leach into the water flowing through it to contaminate your drinking water or vegetable garden. Water Right offers high-quality, American-made polyurethane hoses free of lead and other potentially toxic additives.
The advantages of hybrid heat pump water heaters are clear: excellent energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and relatively simple and affordable installation. And of all the options available, GE’s GeoSpring model is one of the best.
A new toilet may not seem quite as glamourous as other home improvements, but Icera packs some pretty high-tech features into its product line. Icera’s Hyperion flush system delivers even better performance than many standard models, and uses far less water to do it.
Sometimes the simple solution is a good one. Whole-house efficiency renovations aren’t always practical in the short term, so remember that simple retrofits can be another effective solution. Water-conserving fixtures are great for drastically reducing water use and energy consumption, and these low-flow shower heads actually add a “splash” of luxury to your home.
Be honest: you don’t jump right into a cold shower, you let the water run until it’s warm, right? What if your shower could pause the water for you the moment it gets hot, and be ready to go without wasting any more water? The ingenious Ladybug adapter does exactly that, saving water without affecting the water flow during your shower.
The Sustainable Building Bible is a resource created by Tim Pullen, a UK-based sustainable building consultant. It covers big-picture considerations such as green design trends and choosing sustainable materials, as well as tips for specific issues like draft-proofing and water conservation. Read more…
