5C O L D W E L L B A N K E R R E S I D E N T I A L B R O K E R A G E |

Living eco-friendly doesn’t have to be complicated.

Some of the easiest and most efficient ecological

solutions are right under your nose – or above

your head – take the sun, for instance. This

limitless ball of brilliant energy looming large

overhead is one renewable resource just waiting

to be tapped for its abundance. And Mother

Earth never disappoints by providing us with

many natural offerings that don’t need to sap

the unsustainable. Here are a few favorite ways

to get the most from what is plentiful while still

giving back to the environment.

Soak Up the Sun

Capture the potency of sunrays inside solar panels

to generate star power – it’s the cleaner, greener

choice over more conventional forms of energy.

Today, new innovations in panel designs offer more

aesthetic options like solar shingles that mimic

traditional ones. The sun’s strength is significant.

Incorporating solar alternatives into your home affords

you the satisfaction of contributing to the health of

our planet. Harnessing its powerful rays, instead of

relying on fossil fuels, helps reduce toxins, which

positively impacts all living things. Plus, expect to reap

the reward of cost savings. If all these illuminating

insights have you charged up, then go solar and

bask in the light of the sun.

Water Down

Consider some of these simple measures for

conserving water every day. Turn off the faucet

until you’re ready to rinse while washing your face

and hands or brushing teeth – it’s money, quite

literally, down the drain. Use double-basin sinks as

intended. Fill one side with soapy water, the other

with clean water – wash, rinse, repeat, conserve.

Use ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and run

only full dishwasher and washer loads. Go low flow

while showering with water-saving showerheads and

reduce the time spent getting wet. Replace older

toilets with modern money-saving ones that use far

less water. Finally, capture rainwater and use it in

the garden – it’s an easy answer to drought and a

free water resource that’s heaven sent.

Groundbreakers

Go fu l l speed ahead and f loor i t w i thout

consequence when you use renewable resources

such as cork, bamboo and linoleum underfoot.

These materials make for excellent flooring options

and don’t wreak havoc on the environment. Cork

doesn’t require cutting down the cork oak tree from

which it is harvested, the bark grows back every

three years. It has anti-microbial properties, acts

as an insect repellant and is fire retardant. Bamboo

is a grass with similar properties of hardwood. It’s

super durable, easy to install and renews in just

three to five years. And making a comeback with

a new floor show in exciting patterns and colors is

linoleum. It’s a natural material consisting of linseed

oil, cork dust, tree resins, wood flour, pigments

and ground limestone. Fire-retardant and water-

resistant, it’s a perfect choice for rooms with a lot

of traffic. Another eco-friendly option for floors is

glass tiles. Recycled from bottles rescued from

landfills, glass is an easy-to-maintain nonstaining

surface that dazzles. And let’s not leave out popular

polished concrete, recycled rubber and reclaimed

wood. All are great flooring choices that lay the

groundwork for responsible homeownership.

Charge It

Street smarts drive this idea home: Plug your

energy-efficient electric vehicle into your personal

charging station to save money and save the

atmosphere from exhaust emissions. It’s a

convenient way to be sure you have enough

power for your commute if public charging stations

aren’t nearby. Keep greenhouse gases down even

more by using renewable resources to recharge

your charging station – now that’s revving up

environmental responsibility to a whole new level.

Today, living green is easier than ever. Consider

sustainable resources whenever possible and use

energy efficiently and wisely. Try to adopt one or

more of these forward-thinking influences – the

effects are meaningful and contribute to the

common good.

Bringing in Eco-Smart Options You Can Live With

the Green By Tracy Ellison