Living Green: Because It Matters
More and more people are looking for ways to actively contribute to the well-being of our homes, our communities, and planet Earth. To help in that effort, Janet Deegan has received NAR’s (National Association of REALTORS®) Green Designation, providing her with training and education in the principles of sustainable real estate and green building practices. We’re happy to be involved in such an important initiative, and we strive to be a source for greener lifestyles.

Ways to Make Your Life Greener:

• When building or renovating, there are many construction companies and contractors who specialize in making your home and life compatible with nature.  We can provide you with contacts, and help you begin your planning process.  You can start by shopping locally, using materials sparingly, and choosing to use recycled materials in new and beautiful ways. Recycled glass as wall tiles, for example, helps keep waste out of landfills, and adds immeasurably to the beauty of your home.
• Consider air filtration systems that help you breathe easier.  Healthy indoor air quality is critically important for the health of your family.  Well-insulated homes can test high on the scale for air contaminants like formaldehyde, polyurethane and other noxious indoor fumes, off-gassing from furniture and wood used for floors, cabinets and trimwork.  We can help you clear the air, starting with making good choices in furniture and fabrics, and ending with a combination HEPA and carbon filtration system for household ventilation.
• Keep your world pristine by using eco-sensitive products.  Our grandparents enjoyed a life untouched by many of the chemicals we live with and breathe in daily.  We can help keep our own homes and gardens free of toxins when we stop using harmful chemicals, both indoors and out.  Instead of engaging in the toxic cycle of fertilizers and insecticides outside, investigate the use of  insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils that don’t pollute.  Indoors, where chemical vapors concentrate, replace your harsh cleansers with non-toxic cleaning products, easily found in stores throughout the Boston area.  Ask us for recommendations. 
• Choose low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints and finishes when you redecorate.  That just-painted smell in our homes is the result of the off-gassing of chemicals like benzene, toluene, and zylene.  Harmful fumes from paints, floor stains and sealants can last much longer than the odors, so it makes sense to choose low-VOC or non-toxic paints and finishes.  Look for paints with the Green Seal Standard, a designation from a non-profit group that sets the bar for environmentally responsible products. 
• Both buyers and sellers today appreciate eco-friendly properties.  Going green isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for your home, your family and friends, and it makes good economic sense, too.  Keep your home and garden green, and reap the benefits while you live there and when you’re ready to sell.

Let us know if you need additional guidance or ideas as you move, repaint, renovate and choose household products:  we love living green, and we’re here to help.

 Live Green Every Day ~ 25 Tips To Help You Conserve

• Don't let the water run when brushing your teeth
• Use a timer for taking showers
• When waiting for water to heat up, collect it and save it to water the plants
• Use a power strip for appliances and office equipment and turn off when not in use
• Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or chargers are not in use
• Turn off lights when exiting a room, office, or conference room
• Air dry clothes instead of using a dryer
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes
• Set thermostat as low as possible in the winter and as high as possible in the summer
• Clean filters and furnaces once a month, or as needed
• Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes
• Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after cooking or bathing
• During the heating season, keep draperies shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter the home
• In warmer climates, close curtains and blinds on south and west-facing windows during the day
• Keep all south-facing glass clean
• Don't place lamps or TV sets near your thermostat
• Close curtains and blinds at night; open them during the day
• Place the faucet lever on the kitchen or break room sink in the cold position when using small amounts of water: placing the lever in the hot position uses energy to heat the water even though it may never reach the faucet
• Use a covered kettle or pan to boil water, it's faster and uses less energy
• Recycle !
• Use old office paper as scratch paper
• Turn off computers, and the power strips they are plugged into, every night
• Make sure monitors are set to go into sleep "mode" within 15 minutes of suspended usage

Links to Green Resources
For more information about making your life greener, we encourage you to visit any of the following sites:

U.S. Department of Energy
National Association of Home Builders
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
U.S. Green Building Council
Residential Energy Services Network's (RESNET®)
EnergyStar
NexusBoston