Green Living Design That You Can Adopt

Interior Design is the single best experience in mylike the aspect of a lower amount of duct work
life that has allowed me to experience fantasticas it sometimes can aid in the spread of fires in a
creative energy each and every day. I musthome.
admit, however, that the move towards "GreenWall design has become something of interest, as
Living Design" sometimes has me pulling my hairof late, with the rising cost in energy prices. A lot
out.of builders are liking the idea of walls that are a bit
Don't get me wrong, I've written many an articlethicker in an exterior build. Many are looking at
about the coming boon in Green Living Design and12-inch-thick exterior walls with a high R value,
how we, as Designers, must be at the forefrontwhich is the rating given a substance's thermal
of the movement. With that being said, I find thatresistance. That gives you better energy values,
many of my clients often look at me with thatand combined with better Green materials that go
"Deer in the headlight" look when I even casuallyinside the walls, this could save a homeowner
mention the Green aspect of a Design elementsubstantial money in overall energy cost.
for their new home or addition.Insulation elements continue to increase in the
It is not that most folks don't care; They do. It is"Green" factor with some great cellulose insulation
that most feel that they are being handed a bill ofoptions available to consumers. Some of these
goods because something is trendy or fashionableratings are as high as R-60, in some cases, and
at the moment and can not have any directcan greatly reduce the cost of running your home
implications on their lives in the present. "Goingwhen it comes to energy.
Green" is something that the Hollywood crowdFinally, doors and windows. This category is the
does, not the average consumer.one that seems to get the lease resistance from
That used to be true and, yes, in some quartershomeowners looking at new design elements. It
of "Green Design, " it still is. However, I haveseems that the industry has really taken the lead
found that there are common elements that, ifin this category by just explaining to the
mentioned correctly, everybody can get behindconsumer, in terms that make total sense, that
from a Green standpoint.these design features can and will save them
So, what are the basic elements of some solidmoney. It seems that most homeowners have
Green Living Design that most can see using inhad a face-to-face confrontation with the
their lives? I will touch on four that if you aredastardly windows and doors in their homes and
remodeling or building, can be done in that part ofimmediately "Get it" when it comes to dealing with
the design; Heating/Air units, HVAC, Wall design,them. Still, some of the better energy saving
Insulation elements and, finally, Door and Windowfeatures come at a price and can make many a
design elements.home owner grimace when handed the bill.
There has been an emergence of systems thatSo, there you are. Four design elements that are
use a "Forced Air" feature known as radiantloaded with "Green Value," as I like to call it.
space heaters. Many builders like the aspect ofExcellent ways to be a little more conscious about
forced heating in that it eliminates a huge chunkthe environment in any Interior Design elements
of the duct work that must be used in a homethat you are considering and will help you move
design. Some builders, and many fire departments,towards that ever elusive Green Living Design.