As I stated in my first posting on Verde Living, this blog is here to document topics, tips, and personal anecdotes on making a little less of an impact on our planet. This includes things we’ve done in our family’s quest to live a little greener. Here are five things on my wish list to green up the home we live in:
1. Radiant barrier for the attic. With the hot Texas summers, this should be a prerequisite of any new home built. Our home is 10 years old and well insulated, but one visit to the attic during the summer months and you can feel the heat just seeping inside.
2. Tankless water heater. The first time I saw a tankless water heater was when I lived in Spain for a summer in a study abroad program. Tankless water heaters are popular because of the space limitations in many European homes. We are late adopters in the U.S. on a “technology” that just makes sense. Heat the water you need when you need it.
3. Front loading washer and dryer. Maybe it’s just good marketing by the likes of Kenmore, Whirlpool, LG and Maytag, but I’m a believer. Again, the product just makes sense. Front loading washers require less water, less detergent, and ultimately are gentler on your clothes. I’m thinking going old school on the dryer (clothesline/drying rack), but with two kids and a wife who does most of the laundry, this may be a hard sell.
4. Portable solar charger. It seems like every one of my kid’s toys need batteries these days. Install of buying new Energizers every couple of weeks or months, a battery charger would be huge in reducing battery consumption. Charging via solar would make this even better.
5. Solar panels.With subsidies and tax breaks, solar panels are getting easier to obtain, but they are not yet a commodity. Still, a small set of solar panels to help supplement energy use would be sweet.
There you have it…my wish list for my green(er) home. Let me know things you’ve done to make your home a little greener.
