Find the latest Calgary AB real estate information, including a customized Calgary real estate listings search. Access photos, virtual tours, neighbourhood info, maps and more at JustinHavre.com.
During the week you do all the right things to encourage a green lifestyle. You diligently separate your garbage, recycle what you can, add to a backyard composter, use energy saving lightbulbs and use a programmable thermostat. Then, the weekend comes and off you go to your lakeside cabin and all of this green thinking goes out the window. Out come the paper plates, you crank up the electric heat, BBQ twice a day and throw all your recyclables into the garbage.
Green living, means thinking green whether you're at home, at your weekend getaway, or even on holiday in Hawaii. Here are some tips to help keep you on the straight and narrow, even when you're on vacation.
Use biodegradable detergent in your dishwasher and washing machine. A good rule of thumb is to find products guaranteed to break down in less than 30 days. When washing clothes, use cold water and use the clothes line for most drying.
Cut back on the barbecuing (even a little), to reduce CO2 emissions. Keep in mind that propane pollutes less than charcoal.
Save fuel by planning your meals and shopping only once on your trip. In fact, try to do your shopping on the way to your weekend getaway. Keep the reusable shopping bags in your car so you don't forget them.
Wherever possible, buy produce from local growers at farmers markets or roadside stands. Often small stores will carry food from local sources. Once you start looking, you'll be amazed at how many products are produced locally. Some farms even keep gardens going part way through the winter.
Just because you're on holiday, doesn't mean the disposable plates and cutlery have to come out. When you do use them, choose the biodegradable varieties.
Install water saving showerheads up at the cottage and opt for a dip in the lake instead of a bath everyday.
Use energy efficient CFL's or LED lighting. Use motion lights outdoors to cut back on usage.
Use recycled toilet paper and bring up extra towels to replace paper towels. In fact, take a tip from Martha Stewart and keep a rag pail in your kitchen for quick wipe ups.
If your getaway is a regular escape, consider installing a composter for your organic waste, otherwise, capture it in a pail and bring it home. Bring extra containers for your recycling as well.
Get blinds or heavy currents and close them while you're away to keep the heat in and the cold out. Use a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature and not waste energy while you're absent.
Consider installing solar panels for a supplemental source of energy.
When furnishing your getaway with appliances, look for those with Energy Star rating.
Is your vacation home located in a wet area? If so, you may want a rain barrel to capture some of that valuable water for your plants.
This second home is your relaxing getaway, you've got no one to impress here. Let your grass grow longer or replace some of it with mulch or native plants. Set your mower to three inches and mulch the cut grass.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Living Green at Your Vacation Home
- Amazing Vacation Homes: Just For The Rich And Famous?
- What Does your Dream Vacation Home Feature?
- Beach Vacation Homes: Interior Design Ideas
- Vacation Home Real Estate Survey Says . . . Buy!
- Want More That Just A Vacation Home
- 10 Things To Keep In Mind When Renting A Private Vacation Home
- Village Living: Second Home Delights
Solar Energy Facts
By: Keyi Cansa | 27/12/2009The creation of solar and wind power energy at home is becoming increasingly popular today due to the cost of electricity constantly rising. A large amount of our income these days goes towards our electricity bills and this is why a lot more people are choosing to use solar or wind power to power their homes. Due to their low costs, and easy maintenance and also lets not forget saving our environment too.
Complete Home Solar Power System - DIY Solar Power Panels
By: Keyi Cansa | 27/12/2009Increasing numbers of people have been looking into installing solar panels in an effort to fight rising energy costs. When people see the prices of the professionally installed solar systems they find out it may not be something they can afford. What if I told you there is an easier, more cost efficient way to capture the power of the sun and the way we do that is to learn how to make our own solar panels.
How to Build A Solar Panel at Home
By: Keyi Cansa | 27/12/2009People these days are frequently collecting information about solar panels and how to build them. Solar power is one of the most cost effective forms of energy because of the rising popularity around the globe.
Declare Independence and Build Solar Panels
By: Keyi Cansa | 27/12/2009Say farewell to electric bills and hello to renewable energies. Solar power is one of the best and most reliable renewable energy sources available. The problem most beginner environmental fighters discover is that the cost of professionally installed solar power systems is way to costly and it may take over 10 years to see a return on their investment.
5 Ways to Make Money Using DIY Solar Panels
By: Keyi Cansa | 27/12/2009Grab a DIY solar electricity at home book and you will be on your way to learning how to make electricity at home without having to break your bank. When retail solar panels cost many thousands of dollars to purchase and have installed, the do it yourself alternative is very attractive.
5 Ways to Make Money Using DIY Solar Panels
By: Keyi Cansa | 27/12/2009In the past, solar paneling was reserved for the well to do as they cost upwards of $3000 on average to have professionally built and installed. This easily dissuades most people from either considering generating their own electricity, which is why a number of DIY guides have recently come out which detail every tiny step of building and implementing your very own DIY solar panels for producing your own natural electricity.
Solar Water Heating Projects and Plans
By: Keyi Cansa | 27/12/2009Dreaming of a long soak in a hot tub in your backyard under a starry sky - maybe with a few good friends and a bottle or two of good wine?
Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages and Solar Power information
By: Keyi Cansa | 27/12/2009A DIY solar energy home book will show you each step to take when designing your own home solar panels. They will make the process of building and setting up your electricity systems much easier and cheaper.
Building Curb Appeal to Help Sell Your Home
By: Justin Havre | 15/12/2009 | Real EstateThe first thing that you need to do is to take a look at the front of your home; a good way to do this is by taking a picture so that you can confer with your family and make notes. Take note of all the areas that need work like paint, trim, gutters, windows, roofing, and doors. Some items might need replacing while others might just need a good cleaning or repainting to freshen them up.
How to Shop for Your Dream Home in Our Current Economy
By: Justin Havre | 15/12/2009 | Real EstateFirst of all, make a list of the most important elements that you’re looking for in a home or property. Decide which ones are things that you can’t do without and which ones would be nice but aren’t a requirement. Four bedrooms might be a necessity but a home theatre wired room or a gym room might not be as important. Remember that an important necessity is affordability!
Setting up Your New Home: Essential Tools
By: Justin Havre | 13/11/2009 | Tools & EquipmentThe first thing that you will need is a container to put your tools into though you may want to gather together all your tools first so that you know what size of container you’ll need. Many toolboxes are made of metal though there are some good quality ones that are made from heavy duty plastic as well. You can also just buy yourself a small plastic tote to keep your tools in as well.
Sprucing up Your New Home with Moldings
By: Justin Havre | 13/11/2009 | Interior DesignCrown moldings are a type of trim that you install around the top of the wall against the ceiling. They can be fairly simple or very ornate and as with baseboards are often painted in a contrasting colour to show them off. Crown molding is often used in living and dining rooms because they are a more formal type of embellishment. They can make a striking addition to a kitchen or a master bedroom suite as well.
Settling Into Your New Home and Preparing Your Furnace For the Winter
By: Justin Havre | 19/10/2009 | Moving & RelocatingOne part of your furnace that does need some attention if it’s dusty is the filter. Your filter needs to be changed once it gets dusty; this could be every three years if your home has relatively particle-free air but it can be more often as well. If you’ve done any renovations in your home, you may need to replace the filter after only a few months because particles from the air will end up in the filter.
Improving the Energy Efficiency of Your New Home With Storm Windows
By: Justin Havre | 19/10/2009 | Home ImprovementStorm windows can come in an interior or exterior variety; each of these types has its own pros and cons so that your storm window choice should reflect your particular home needs. Interior storm windows come in a variety of types and complexities, ranging from a simple film taped over the inside of the window frame to the more complex magnetic seal acrylic glazed models.
Living Green at Your Vacation Home
By: Justin Havre | 01/10/2009 | DIYUse biodegradable detergent in your dishwasher and washing machine. A good rule of thumb is to find products guaranteed to break down in less than 30 days. When washing clothes, use cold water and use the clothes line for most drying.
Does Sex Sell Real Estate?
By: Justin Havre | 21/08/2009 | Real EstateThere's no question that a sexy ad can pull eyes away from whatever else they are engaged with to focus on the mute promise – well maybe not of the models featured in the picture, but certainly of a life that is more exciting than what one was wading through today. Titillation plays a big part in using sex to market – wow, I'm not looking at the 19 year old model whose bosom is threatening to fall out of her bathing suit – I'm considering buying a luxury condo!