Natural and Sustainable

When it comes to making better shopping decision you first have to think not only for the planet and its well-being, you have to look to your health and your family’s health as well. Here are a few labels to look for when buying more green.

1. Energy Star: This label shows that the appliance or other product you are buying is energy-efficient. There are guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy for appliance, heating and cooling systems, lighting, roof products, windows and even doors and other items. Be sure when buying an item you look for this label.

2. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): This label helps to set the standards for responsible forest management and certifies that come from certain woodland areas.

3. Green Guard Indoor Air Quality: This label insures that the products you are buying will release low VOCs into the air and the emissions let off from adhesives, appliance, ceilings, insulation, paint, etc. These VOCs are low enough that they won’t cause significant damage to your lungs or your health.

4. Green Seal: This label maintains environmental standards for products like paints, cleaners, and even alternative vehicles. When you look to new products look to ones that have the green seal of approval.

5. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): The United States Green Building Council rates buildings, and homes in categories such as water, energy, material conservation and air quality within those structures. And whatever number that structure scores is their green level of certification in the form of silver, gold or platinum. Adding certain materials to your home that are greener and more eco-friendly can and will raise you green level of certification.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Don’t be afraid to display what you believe in and your causes on your car, your house or even on your clothes. You may end up encouraging someone else to change their habits to eco-friendly ones.

The housing crisis really got a lot of home owners worried and there is still worry about what is the best route to go when it comes to purchasing or even keeping the right home. Many of us, that are in the market for a new home, turn to a realtor, but if your realtor keeping up with the eco-times or is she out for what’s in the good for herself?

Ecobroker International is a real estate company that offer the education for realtors they touch on topics such as health and environmental concerns. There are many other educational realtor options in the Unites States alone to help realtors stay up with the times.

There are very many environmental concerns when it comes to purchasing a new home like radon, lead, mold, energy systems, indoor air quality and even water efficiency. The list can go on and on, but is your realtor in the know when it comes to these issues?

Green homes are all the rage right now, mainly because they will save you more money over a long period of time. If your realtor isn’t one that is in the eco-know then it may be time to make a change for one who is. It may cost more to buy a greener home at first, but within a few years you will begin to reap the benefits over all. Let your realtor know you concerns and if she/he isn’t willing to give on any, then find one who is. You can begin your search here.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Want a better choice in a computer? Then choose a radiation and chemical-free computer or laptop. Computers have been linked to cancer, depression and other issues such as birth defects. Some people have even reported neurological disorders as well. At Technology Alternative Corporation they will help shield your computer from these and other issues. For as little as $400, you can have a chemical-free and radiation-free computer experience.

You have either read it here, in books or heard it on the news lately, saving energy is at an all time high and everyone should save no matter what the situation, but where to start? The best way to start is to change your energy drainers with more eco-friendly options. You can change with anything such as music, computer, your phone and even your television. Here are a few suggestions to get you started now.

• Efficiency with your music: A regular stereo uses 120 kilowatt hours compared to an MP3 player that only uses 6 kilowatt hours. That’s a savings of $12.54 and 196 pounds of CO2 a year.

• Efficiency with your cable: A set up with regular cable uses about 239 kilowatt hours compared to a satellite set up that uses 124 kilowatt hours per year. That’s a savings of $12.65 and 197 pounds of CO2 a year.

• Efficiency with your computer: A set up with a desktop uses about 255 kilowatt hours compared to a laptop that uses 83 kilowatt hours. That’s a savings of $18.92 and 295 pounds of CO2 a year.

• Efficiency with your phone: A set up with the traditional cordless phone uses about 26 kilowatt hours compared to a cellular phone which uses 3 kilowatt hours a year. That’s a savings of $2.53 and 40 pounds of CO2 a year.

• Efficiency with your television: A set up with a plasma television uses 441 kilowatt hours compared to a LCD television that uses 77 kilowatt hours. That’s a savings of $40.04 and 624 pounds of CO2 a year.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Small Changes. Big Impact.