Go green, without the envy

> Small steps to greener homes and sustainable living

your glass windows facing the eastwest, this will pave way for better natural ventilation. So make sure to place your glass windows towards the north-side,” Lee said.

Practise cross-ventilation by opening windows or doors on both sides of the house. This creates high and low pressure areas, resulting in a cross breeze that will draw the heat out.

The simple act of choosing the right paints can also help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature as certain paints have been formulated to include “sunblock technology” that help reduce surface temperatures.

Painting the roof white or choosing tiles that are light in colour will reflect heat and give the home a modern futuristic vibe.

The type of window treatments used also play an important role in keeping the heat out. Although it sounds counter intuitive to use thick curtains, the US Department of Energy found that “mediumcoloured draperies with white plastic backing can reduce heat gains by 33%. Draperies should also be hung as close to windows as possible and allowed to fall onto a windowsill or floor to reduce heat exchange.

BRIGHTER FUTURE

Unlike the traditional incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), light emitting diode (LED) bulbs “use at least 75% less energy, and last 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting”, reports the US Department of Energy.

LEDs do not experience “burn out” or fail; instead, it goes through “lumen depreciation” where the brightness of the LED diminishes with use. Besides its energy-saving ability, LED bulbs are known to be a better choice for the environment as they are recyclable. Older bulbs contain mercury, poisonous material that affects the earth if not discarded properly.

Besides, the best part about LEDs is the wide spectrum of colours available. For homeowners who prefer the warm yellow of incandescent bulbs, there is an LED bulb for that! Look for warm white or soft white LED bulbs for that yellow hue that sends a sense of warmth and cosiness.

In all, before starting out on your “green” journey, do a little more research to see what will work for your home. Seek experts in the field if unsure. Tour other green homes to look and learn. Even if you decide to make minor green adjustments around the house, you have already helped the environment in some way, better than none. Email your feedback and queries to: propertyqs@ thesundaily.com