Reducing Your Carbon Footprint One Step at a Time

With so many products claiming to be 'eco-friendly', it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate between marketing ploys and sustainable products.  'Green design' is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability. [1] 

As such we must take into consideration the total impact or life cycle that our selections have on our environment.  For instance, selecting a rapidly renewable resources (such as bamboo or cork) make sense if they can be obtained locally.  However, once you factor in acquisition and transportation to the product selection, it may make more sense to select indigenous materials for your design project.

There are several factors that you will want to consider when implementing sustainable design principles into your remodelling project.  Some of which include:

-Implementing Energy Efficiency Strategies
-Selecting Rapidly Renewable Materials
-Photovoltaic Modules (Solar Panels)
-Consideration for Quality & Durability
-Design for Reuse & Recycling
-Air Quality Control
-Implementing Water Effeciency Solutions

Over the course of the residential remodel, we will explore these options as well as many other eco-friendly solutions you can implement.  Green re-design projects help you reduce your carbon foot print one step at a time!

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_design.  Accessed April 4, 2011.