Eco-Conscious Living - Simple Tips for Making Your Home Earth Friendly

PITTSBURGH, March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- It's not easy being green, but there are a few simple steps you and your family can take to make your home more environmentally-friendly.

Design experts at The Art Institutes say that incorporating aspects of "sustainable" or green design into your home doesn't have to mean expensive changes. Just a few simple steps is all it takes to turn an average home into one that's more energy efficient, less taxing to the land and air around it, and healthier to live in.

Try these tips for creating a "greener" home: * Make recycling easy for you and your family. Set up a system that can be used by everybody and is easily accessible. For instance, if you have a kitchen island you may want to create a recycling center there - that way you can easily throw recycled goods in designated bins throughout the week. * Choose cleaning products that are eco-friendly. Stay away from products that contain chemicals that are harsher on the environment such as petroleum. You can also substitute store-bought cleaning products with pantry items such as baking soda and vinegar. You can find more eco-friendly cleaning tips on this website: http://www.pathtofreedom.com/links/home&family/homemadecleaners.shtml. * Consider simple kitchen composting by keeping a jar with a lid under the sink for vegetable peels, egg shells and coffee grounds. Weather permitting, add this mix to your garden soil. * Replace your incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs, which last three to four times longer and have a lower impact on the environment. * When painting, choose paints that are labeled as containing low volatile organic compounds (VOC). These paints won't off-gas or produce noxious smells. * Instead of using vinyl in the kitchen or entryway, consider using stone or other more durable materials that have a longer life cycle. * Have furnace and air conditioning systems cleaned inspected and if necessary, cleaned annually to make them more energy efficient. * Check windows and doors for drafts. Weatherproofing kits are available at most home centers.

According to Joanne Kravetz at The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles, designers and architects are increasingly aware of the role they play "in creating environments that respect the earth and nurture its inhabitants." And the trend toward green design is big business as well. The American Society of Interior Design reports that sustainable design is one of the fastest growing segments of its industry.

"Overall, using sustainable home products and practices helps maintain cleaner air flow in your house and is better for the environment in the long run," explains Jamie Hurd, Academic Department Director of Interior Design Chair for The Art Institute of Portland.

Hurd says that many people assume that environmentally sound products cost more than traditional consumer products, however the demand for sustainable in-home products has helped to drive down the market price. "Also," says Hurd, "by purchasing more durable natural products you will have a home that not only looks great, but that will look great for a longer period of time."

A perfect example of what Hurd refers to, says Dan Noyes, Department Chair of the Interior Design program at The Art Institutes International Minnesota, is the use of natural enduring materials such as stone, quarry tile and brick. According to Noyes, these materials are not only examples of green design, but are considered very desirable features to have in a home, especially when it comes to re-sale value. "Because these materials are so beautiful and wear so well, they are less likely to be torn out and thrown away by subsequent homeowners, making them a great example of how sustainability concepts can improve one's home," says Noyes.

It's not just designers that weigh in on the importance of sustainability in the home. Chef Tina Luu of The Art Institute of California - San Diego is "big on composting." She says that, "food is any household's largest supply of waste materials. It just makes sense to recycle it into compost." According to Luu, "there is a ton of information on the internet on composting, or you can visit your local library." One website she recommends checking out is http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Yard/Composting/index.asp

The Art Institutes system of 31 education institutions is located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals. The Art Institutes system of schools has provided career-oriented education programs for 40 years with more than 160,000 graduates. For more information visit The Art Institutes website at http://www.artinstitutes.edu/nr.