Buildings account for more than 40% of all global carbon dioxide emissions, one of the main culprits implicated in the phenomenon of global warming. Some experts tell us that our environmental impacts have to be reduced by 90% or more to begin to reverse the decline in the Earth's supportive ecosystems and to relive the stress on energy and water resources. Given these major issues of global warming, loss of biodiversity, water and energy shortages in much of the world, going "green" represents the beginning of a paradigm shift. Therefore, being passionate about the environment, I wanted to build this website not only as a resource for those seeking information about Okanagan real estate, but also for those looking for information on earth friendly changes that can add value to their home purchases . By making your home more energy efficient, eco-friendly, and generally living a "greener" lifestyle, you can help reduce environmental impacts while in turn, also saving you money!

Here are some simple suggestions on how you can live more efficiently in your home:

• Buy energy efficient electronics and energy star rated appliances.
• Use a plug in monitor to see which appliances are sucking the most wattage- where to make changes first!
• Put appliances and electronics on power strips; turn off the power strips at night, and when away.
• Warm up your fridge! Even setting the freezer to -15*C and the fridge to 2.5-4.5*C will be more efficient and still preserve food.
• Make sure refrigerator door is airtight. Refrigerators with bottom freezers are more efficient. No ice makers!
• Invest in a tankless water heater.
• Dial down your hot water tanks heat thermostat to no less than 120*. Also, turn off water heater If leaving town for more than a few days.
• Invest in an insulating blanket for your hot water tank.
• Automate your lighting. Install CFL's or GeoBulbs. Turn off or dim lights whenever possible.
• Buy front loading Washer and Dryers.
• Wash laundry with cold water. Wash only full loads, less often. Air Dry.
• Have a pool? Cut filtration time to 6 hours or less a day. Heat with a solar cover.
• Don't heat/cool your home when away. Try to keep it just a degree or two cooler or warmer than you usually do.
• Use programmable thermostats.
• Hunt for air leaks in the house- Weatherstrip windows and doors, p roperly seal outlets, fixtures, baseboards, a/c units, attics, etc, as to make sure no air is escaping.
• Change your furnace filter regularly.
• Install a ceiling fan. Opening windows and circulating the air, lessens to the need to run A/C.
• Install sun shades, and close your curtains to keep heat out.
• Fix leaking/dripping toilets, sinks and plumbing.
• Install low flow toilets, showerheads and sink faucets
• Don't run the water while brushing or shaving. Take shorter showers.
• Avoid pre-rinsing dishes. Only run a full dishwasher load.
• Check for leaks in the garden hose.
• Reuse rain water for your landscaping and plants; collect in rain barrels.
• Xeriscape your yard (Xeriscaping means employing regionally appropriate plants and techniques that reduce or eliminate water use except from normal precipitation in the area.)
• Plant trees near your home for shade.
• Do not use pesticides or herbicides
• Start a compost
• Use earth friendly cleaners, soaps, etc.
• Choose to live close to shops, work and/or transit to eliminate the need for personal vehicle transportation
• Renovating? To start, use low VOC paints, cork or bamboo for flooring (renewable resources), install double-pane, low e windows to replace older ones, and purchase energy star rated appliances.

These simple changes at home, will help shift us to think towards a "greener" lifestyle.

I also incorporate earth friendly practices in my day to day business. This includes paying to offset my carbon dioxide emissions from my vehicle yearly, as well as from each real estate transaction performed. ( Offsetters, a Vancouver-based organization uses these funds to invest in carbon-reducing initiatives both in Canada and internationally).

Here are some "Green" links to take your actions further:

TLC ENGERGY SOLUTIONS
COMPLETE HOME ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GREEN BUILDING&DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS
LIVING GREENER IN THE OKANAGAN
BUILT GREEN CANADA
CMHC SUSTAINABLE HOUSING
BC HYDRO APPLIANCE/LIGHTING CALCULATOR
GOV OF CANADA; ECOACTION