Capturing energy from the sun through photovoltaic panels on your roof is one significant way to reduce your impact on the earth. |
Green Living
Truly, Madly, Deeply Green
Beyond CFLs and bamboo products, here are 10 other ideas for a more sustainable home.


A kitchen with a Paperstone island and Vetrazzo countertops.

If you want to reach a higher consciousness about how you impact the environment through your actions in the marketplace, heed these ‘green’ ideas to think, act, design and build responsibly. 

“To promote green building solutions in your own home, it’s vital to think of your home as a complete system. Everything works in tandem. Once you see the whole picture, you can approach any problems keeping these four sustainable concepts in mind: Utilize renewable energy sources from natural materials; reuse practical construction materials whenever possible; reduce the quantity of building materials; and incorporate recycle-ability whenever possible. The idea we want to stress is that we are using sustainable materials that protect instead of diminish exhaustible resources for future generations.”
-Scott Kelly, Earthway Enterprises

“Interestingly enough, when it comes to redesign and remodeling, people think they need more space, but realistically speaking, they probably have way too much. If you can look at your home and determine how to reconfigure redundant space instead of adding on, it just makes more sense. When we determine how we use our space, we may find that we don’t necessarily need to add on more room but reconsider the space to be more multifunctional. Perhaps that unused dining room could become an office; the extra bedroom can be turned into a workout space. There’s a variety of ways to make our homes much more efficient and user-friendly. Think inside instead of outside the box.”
-Grant Manka, Manka Design Build

“Convenience is a way of life and we operate out of habit. Now it’s time to rethink old patterns and opt off the beaten track.
  - Water your lawn only 2-3 times a week.
  - Buy local to minimize shipping and support the local economy.
  - Take your lunch (in reusable containers) and a book to read.
  - Change your furnace and inline water filter monthly.
  - Instead of disposable plastic dinnerware, use your pottery/china. Use cloth instead of paper napkins.”
-Gerould Sabin, Elements of Green

“One of the biggest energy losses in your home is heat. The fireplace accounts for 26 percent of your heating bill literally going up the flu. A reusable polyurethane plug fits into the firebox just below the damper. It is sealed in, offering a sturdy block to drafts coming in and heated air going up and out your chimney. The cost of the plug is minimal ($60), saving you hundreds of dollars in heating bills.”   
-Bob Solger, The Energy Savings Store

“The real tallgrass prairie may be endangered, but you know there’s a sustainable way to grow one in your own backyard. The conservation of native grasses, seeds, wildflowers and trees is ripe for you to reconnect with the natural landscape that will help you grow your own native grassland. All that’s needed to start your private prairie is bare earth, native plants/trees or shrubs, and handfuls of a seed blend like Prairie Panorama to broadcast between November and March. Mother Nature’s power and your patience will do the rest. For as little as $150 per acre, you’ll see sprouts and blooms within the first two years.”
-Sherman Smith, Critical Site

“When you stop and think about harmful products that you can’t touch much less breathe, replacing toxic chemicals with those that are biodegradable and nontoxic just makes sense. Vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, lavender, sage and soy are some of the natural products you can use in various combinations to make your house earth-friendly.”
-Gary Walker, Return to Green

“Rain barrels capture rain water from your downspouts to be used later to water your flower pots and planting beds. Why use tap water when it is free from Mother Nature? Natural rain water run-off reduces the load on our infrastructure to process potable water.  Rain barrels link right on to the downspout and can be layered one on top of another and direct water away from your foundation when it’s full.”
-Perry Quick, Novus Architecture

“The technology is here to transform the way people build and remodel their homes. Starting from the ground up, there are a number of conscious building innovations that make a difference.
  - Insulation is key in walls, ceilings, floor and doors.
  - Pay attention to the orientation of your home if you’re building. Placement on the land is highly important for lowering utility bills.
  - When replacing or adding a new roof, consider an “ice house roof,” which acts as a radiant barrier and natural convection to dissipate attic heat.
  - Use active solar water systems for heating and cooling.
  - Add air and vapor barriers (caulking, weather stripping, foam sealants).
  - Landscape correctly: conifers on the north, deciduous on the south.”
-Shauna Zahner, Stitt Energy Systems

“One aspect for the residential consumer is to do an energy audit themselves. The DYO Basic Energy Audit Kit ($29.95) provides a step-by-step analysis to determine your home’s use and misuse of energy. You learn with software, instructional materials and actual tools, including a clipboard, carpenter’s apron, calculator and tape measure, then diagnose and make responsible home improvement decisions for cost-effective solutions.”
-Ken Riead, Hathmore Technologies

“We have been working with KCP&L and legislation in Missouri and Kansas for tax credits. For new homes, builders must hire a certified rater to inspect a home for an Energy Star rating. When the builder achieves it, KCP&L will pay the rater up to $750 and the builder $800, which we return to the consumer as a reduction to their upfront pricing for the green elements. For existing homes in Missouri, homeowners pay a rater for a whole-house audit, which generates a list of suggestions for improving energy efficiency. After completing one item on the list, the rater rechecks the home then KCP&L will rebate or give a $600 credit against future utility bills to help offset additional costs.” 
-Kevin Enyeart, Gale Home Builders