Green Home Improvement

Inbox Inquiry: Refinish or Replace Kitchen Cabinets?

Monday, May 9, 2011
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Today’s inbox inquiry comes from a Twitter follower wanting to know about kitchen cabinets.  Please see my response below and share your own advice in the comments section! Answer: It’s definitely better to refinish or reface your existing kitchen cabinets versus install new ones, even if you’re installing eco-friendly ones.

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How to Cut Costs & Conserve Energy with a Home Energy Audit

Monday, March 21, 2011
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As a Green Home and Lifestyle Consultant here at The Living Green Solution, and someone who is passionate about green living, I know quite a bit about energy conservation and efficiency.  However, in the Portland Metro area residents have access to a free home energy audit through the Energy Trust of Oregon.  This is something [...]

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Simple Steps to Green Your Kitchen

Friday, February 11, 2011

Do you know that being “green” IS a lot easier than you might think?  Not just going green, but saving green.  Here are some simple steps to green your kitchen: Say “yes” to convection: Because it continually circulates heated air, thereby reducing cooking time, a convection oven uses 20 percent less energy on average than [...]

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Paint Take-Back Program in Oregon

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Several months ago I had a great tour of Metro Paint, producers of high quality, affordable, 100 percent recycled latex paint produced here in Portland, Oregon.  Our tour guide mentioned a great new paint take-back program but I honestly forgot completely about it.  Not until recently did I come across an email buried in my inbox reminding [...]

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A Healthier Alternative: Hemp Shower Curtains

Friday, September 4, 2009

The crème-de-la-crème of all options includes using a hemp alternative. Hemp is grown without the use of pesticides and is naturally mildew-resistant. You can find hemp curtains at Rawganique or Greenfeet. Organic cotton and linen are not treated with formaldehyde-emitting waterproofing formulas like most (cloth) shower curtains are. They are easy to care for without [...]

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More Energy Saving Ideas

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Here are a few more energy saving ideas to close out the three part series on energy: Seal electrical outlets in the exterior walls of your house.  Foam insulating gaskets (less than $1 each) act as a barrier to conditioned air stays in, rather than leaking out.  Just unscrew the outlet cover, install the gasket, [...]

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Easy Energy Savers: Long-Term Investments

Monday, August 31, 2009

If you’re thinking about savings down the road or want to go the extra mile for the environment, consider these pricey improvements.  You’ll see big returns – if you’re patient.  Federal tax credits for certain energy-efficient upgrades (see energystar.gov) can help reduce the bite. Solar Panels:  Installing them on your roof will lead to a [...]

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Easy Energy Savers: Low-Cost Fixes

Friday, August 28, 2009

Most of these changes will cost you just a few dollars, and you can make them in the time it takes to pick up dinner. Attic floor and basement ceiling: “Sealing the envelope” (closing air leaks in your home) can save up to 30% on your energy bill, the US Department of Energy (DOE) estimates.  [...]

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Easy Energy Savers — No-Cost Fixes

Thursday, August 27, 2009

I was reading through a magazine that I (yes) subscribe to and saw a great article on energy saving tips.  I thought I’d pass them along.  I’ll be dividing up the article into three sections: No-Cost Fixes Low-Cost Fixes Long-Term Investments Enjoy! No-Cost Fixes Start reducing your energy bills by making small changes in the way [...]

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