Interior Design is the single best experience in my life that has allowed me to experience fantastic creative energy each and every day.  I must admit, however, that the move towards “Green Living Design” sometimes has me pulling my hair out. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve written many an article about the coming boon in Green Living Design and how we, as Designers, must be at the forefront of the movement.  With that being said, I find that many of my clients often look at me with that “Deer in the headlight” look when I even casually mention the Green aspect of a Design element for their new home or addition. 

It is not that most folks don’t care; They do.  It is that most feel that they are being handed a bill of goods because something is trendy or fashionable at the moment and can not have any direct implications on their lives in the present.  “Going Green” is something that the Hollywood crowd does, not the average consumer. 

That used to be true and, yes, in some quarters of “Green Design, ” it still is.  However, I have found that there are common elements that, if mentioned correctly, everybody can get behind from a Green standpoint.

So, what are the basic elements of some solid Green Living Design that most can see using in their lives?  I will touch on four that if you are remodeling or building, can be done in that part of the design; Heating/Air units, HVAC, Wall design, Insulation elements and, finally, Door and Window design elements.

There has been an emergence of systems that use a “Forced Air” feature known as radiant space heaters.  Many builders like the aspect of forced heating in that it eliminates a huge chunk of the duct work that must be used in a home design.  Some builders, and many fire departments, like the aspect of a lower amount of duct work as it sometimes can aid in the spread of fires in a home.

Wall design has become something of interest, as of late, with the rising cost in energy prices.  A lot of builders are liking the idea of walls that are a bit thicker in an exterior build.  Many are looking at 12-inch-thick exterior walls with a high R value, which is the rating given a substance’s thermal resistance.  That gives you better energy values, and combined with better Green materials that go inside the walls, this could save a homeowner substantial money in overall energy cost.

Insulation elements continue to increase in the “Green” factor with some great cellulose insulation options available to consumers.  Some of these ratings are as high as R-60, in some cases, and can greatly reduce the cost of running your home when it comes to energy.

Finally, doors and windows.  This category is the one that seems to get the lease resistance from homeowners looking at new design elements.  It seems that the industry has really taken the lead in this category by just explaining to the consumer, in terms that make total sense, that these design features can and will save them money.  It seems that most homeowners have had a face-to-face confrontation with the dastardly windows and doors in their homes and immediately “Get it” when it comes to dealing with them. Still, some of the better energy saving features come at a price and can make many a home owner grimace when handed the bill.

So, there you are.  Four design elements that are loaded with “Green Value,” as I like to call it.   Excellent ways to be a little more conscious about the environment in any Interior Design elements that you are considering and  will help you move towards that ever elusive Green Living Design.

DA Southern is a designer who learned the ropes as a set designer for theatrical productions and has taken what he has learned into all of his Interior Designs. DA blogs about design and the trends in the Design community from a Modern appeal. Catch him at his blog and see what trends seem to be moving the Design community and with the Greening of new Design. design.itsyourshowitsyourlife.com
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The topic of renewable energy has been widely discussed in recent years. Indeed, as fossil fuel supplies continue to dwindle and high energy prices are maintained, people are realising the advantages of finding alternative sources of energy. Not only that, but in light of the detrimental effects of burning fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas – there are increasing efforts to explore more environmentally-friendly options.

Currently, there’s a worrying amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) being released into the world’s atmosphere. This, say many scientists, is significantly contributing to climate change and global warming. In order to protect the earth from further damage, therefore, people are looking for new, greener sources of electricity and gas, as well as ways to reduce overall energy consumption.

According to research, more than 40 percent of the UK’s man-made CO2 emissions come from the energy people use in their homes and for travel. As a result, there are many new initiatives aimed at encouraging people to personally embrace greener technology and to limit the amount of energy they use in their properties.

Generally speaking, there are two main types of renewable energy available that can be used at home: solar and wind. Solar power, which converts the sun’s natural energy into electricity and heat, is the most popular form of renewable energy and can be relatively easily installed in domestic properties. Not only does it provide people with environmentally-friendly, or green energy, but it also helps to save on bills.

Wind power is also an established form of green power and again can be employed in the home. Basically channelling the power of the wind through the use of mini wind turbines, electricity is generated, which is then fed into the property’s electricity supply. Producing energy in this way is great for the environment and it’s even possible to sell back any excess energy to the power companies: this is also true for surplus solar energy.

If it’s too expensive to install such equipment, it’s always possible to switch to a green energy plan or tariff. There are various options available, such as an energy match, whereby power companies will match each normal unit of electricity used in the home by feeding a unit of renewable energy into the National Power Grid. They may also fund renewable energy projects.

Additionally, there’s a lot that people can do at home, both to conserve energy and to save money. For example, if everyone in Britain with gas or oil central heating installed a condensing boiler with heating controls, it would be possible to save up to 6.7 million tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere annually.

With a bit of thought, everyone can help in the fight against climate change. Embracing renewable energy is a great way to start, as is reducing the amount of gas and electricity being used in the home. And, thinking about this issue now will not only help the environment, but also make a difference to utility bills.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/renewable-energy-and-you-1333551.html

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