Living Green Louisville

Environmentally Friendly Weed Killer

Dawn — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:08:31 +0000

If you are a frustrated with the never ending battle of getting rid of weeds and unwanted grass that grows in the cracks of your side walk and driveway, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Save your back and knees, you no longer need to pull weeds or use toxic weed killers.

All you need to do is combine vinegar and salt together and poor it into an empty spray bottle. You may want to heat up the vinegar in your microwave so the salt will dissolve or it will clog your spray nozzle. You will need two days without rain for the best results when spraying.

Eco Friendly Shower Curtain

Dawn — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:31:51 +0000

If you are on the market to purchase a new shower curtain, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get one that’s PVC free. I am amazed at how many people still use vinyl shower curtains in their bathrooms. Not only do they look cheap and tacky, but they smell funny too. Just imagine the toxins you’re inhaling each time you take a shower. Keep your bathroom as ventilated as possible. Turn your vent fan on or open a bathroom window to help prevent mold from growing on your walls and ceiling.

Healthier, ecofriendly curtain alternatives are available in organic cotton, hemp and linen. Try to find a curtain that has a tight weave so that it resists water better. Linen is more mildew resistant than cotton. You can wash and air dry the curtain if it gets moldy.

Sure, the eco friendly curtain alternatives cost more than a PVC curtain, but having to replace a nasty PVC curtain every year or two won’t save you money in the long run.

Laundry Pure by Ecoquest

Dawn — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:28:38 +0000

LaundryPure is a better way to keep your clothes clean. Brighter colors and whiter whites without detergent or hot water. LaundryPure helps eliminate the itching and redness caused by allergies due to detergents embedded in clothing. Silver kills germs and oxidation cleans clothes. The system hooks up to a washing machine to treat incoming water with silver ions for killing odor causing bacteria and fungi.

The retail price they give in the video has gone down significantly. Call or email Ken Harouff, Going Green Technologies, LLC at (502)618-0964 or goinggreentech@aol.com for additional information.

Energy Audits for your Home

Dawn — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:48:53 +0000

The Building Performance Group conducts Home Performance Inspections using infrared cameras and blower-door testing equipment to determine air-leakage. If you have rooms in your home that are warmer or colder than other areas, then you may want to call or email Eric George to have an energy audit done on your home. BuildingPerformanceGroup@gmail.com or (502)216-2731

Here are pictures of my bathroom with the blower-door running and using the IR camera, Eric was able to locate many areas of air leakage throughout the house. The pictures clearly show these areas and are annotated to provide a clearer understanding of what they reveal. These cold areas are caused because the framed walls have cavities that are open into the attic above. Even though there is fiberglass insulation installed, this material does not stop air movement, and the effectiveness of the insulation is completely diminished.

Energy Star qualified Ball Homes

Dawn — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:40:27 +0000

New Ball Homes now meet Energy Star qualifications, providing peace of mind and energy savings. The Energy Star designation signifies that a home meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. According to the E.P.A., owners of Energy Star qualified home save an estimated $200 to $400 in annual energy costs, and enjoy more consistent temperatures between and across rooms and enhanced resale value on their new homes. Each home is individually inspected and tested by a Certified Home Energy Rater for such features as tightness of construction and ducts, high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, effective insulation, and advanced windows.

The reduced energy use of an Energy Star home yields environmental benefits for everyone, including reduced air pollution generated by the production of energy at power plants.

For more information or to set-up a private showing please email dawnfarris@4256000.com or call me at (502)797-7956.

Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Service

Dawn — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:57:44 +0000

We all need help from time to time on keeping our homes clean, especially after the holidays. A new cleaning company called A Better Choice Cleaning uses only natural cleaning products. If you are interested in getting a free estimate for your home or work place call (812)590-3442 or email Christie@ABetterChoiceCleaning.com.

There are so many things I’m still trying to learn to keep my family, home and environment safe from toxins. Beware there are companies out there claiming their products are eco-friendly and safe, but are far from it. Just because it says “green or eco-friendly” on the bottle doesn’t mean the product really is safe. Spend a few minutes to check out this video.

Eco Friendly Furniture Store

Dawn — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:56:38 +0000

There is a new home furnishings store with an environmentally friendly concept that recently opened at The Summit, located on Hwy 22 near the Gene Snyder Freeway. Habitation sells living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture and accessories. None of the furniture contains formaldehyde or volatile organic compound finishes.

Louisville’s 1st Green Building Supplier

Dawn — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:44:57 +0000

Bluegrass Green Co. has environmentally friendly building materials. Green remodeling keeps the environment in mind and helps create a healthier home for you and your family. So if you would like a home that is nontoxic and chemical free this is your one stop shop.

Some of their products you will find in their store are:

Zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Paint
All natural environmentally friendly carpet
Bamboo and reclaimed lumber for flooring
Icestone recycled glass countertops

Bluegrass Green Co. HAS MOVED TO 804 E. MARKET STREET.

Environmentally friendly Metal Roofing

Dawn — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:02:17 +0000

For quality and an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based shingles, metal roofing is rapidly becoming the permanent roofing option of choice. Installed properly, metal roofs can easily last 50 years or more. Steel is the most recycled material in North America, greatly reducing the amount of energy and natural resources needed to produce this eco friendly product.No doubt, metal roofing is a bit pricier, you will save in the long run due to energy savings and long-term sustainability.

Tile and slate are natural materials that are recyclable and reusable, but they are heavy to ship and need structural support for their weight.

Builders and homeowners use asphalt shingles because they are inexpensive, relatively simple to install, and offer a variety of colors. But, asphalt shingles are a petroleum-based product, generally not heat-reflective and most end up in landfills. Wood roofs are a natural material and last between 30 - 50 years, but the are susceptible to fire.

Metal roofs with an aluminum finish can reflect and send back nearly 100% of heat, preventing it from being absorbed into your home.

Most people think of metal roofing being limited to some variation of a vertical panel. If you want variety in a metal roof, you can surely find it! Metal roofs are available in an entire palette of colors, shapes, textures and metals. You can get steel roofs, tin, aluminum, copper and if you have the money - I believe - stainless steel!

There’s always the possibility of making all or part of your roof a “Living Roof“. By planting vegetation on your roof, it will help lower your energy costs, insulate your home and you are able to grow a garden. Popular in Europe but not yet in the United States.

Environmentally Friendly Paint

Dawn — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:32:43 +0000

I don’t know about you, but the last time I painted a room, I had a major headache at the end of the day. There are quite a few eco-friendly paints out on the market these days. They have no or low VOC’s and very little odor. The paint is much safer for us and our environment. A new company in town Bluegrass Green sells Yolo Color House. Lowe’s -Olympic, Home Depot - The Fresh Aire Choice and Benjamin Moore’s - Natura. The next time you have a paint project, think of our planet and your family’s health and go GREEN!