OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 24, 2009 · 32 178 Lakeshore Road E., Oakville How to ensure your new house is green (NC)--It's tempting to cut corners in a down economy, but that's the last thing one should do in the construction of a new house. Owning a home with superior efficiency will pay high dividends for years to come. "A green home uses less energy and natural resources," says Todd Blyth at Nudura, the manufacturer of insulated concrete forms. "It creates less waste and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Equally important benefits include lower energy bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. As a result, the net cost of owning a sustainable home is comparable to cost of a conventional one." The four key areas to ensure the best human and environmental health are: water efficiency, energy efficiency, material selection, and indoor environmental quality. Here's a useful little checklist as a guideline: · Use LEED certified materials: This internationally acclaimed benchmark by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design provides a third-party certification program, setting an international benchmark for the construction and operation of high performance sustainable buildings. · Start with concrete, not wood: With concrete walls by Nudura, combined with their ceiling and floor technology, you'll get several key green components all in one. The system consists of stay-in-place, interlocking concrete forms. With this Lego-like method (of reinforced concrete sandwiched between two layers of expanded polystyrene foam insulation) the total building envelope stands to be up to nine times stronger, far more fire resistant, and far more sound insulated. Furthermore, this innovation (nudura.com) is design-friendly for architects, much faster for builders, creates less construction waste, and provides defence against toxicity and mold that is so often a associated with traditional wood framed walls. And of equal importance, it's a building method that will deliver energy savings of up to 70 percent. · Aim for indoor water conservation: Ask about greywater irrigation and rainwater harvesting. · Insist on energy efficiency: In addition to a concrete structure, some of the more popular choices for conservation include: an 'earth sheltered' architectural design; installing efficient ducts, lighting and fans; planning for gas or solar hot water, heating and cooling systems. · Ask for green materials: Structural choices range from fume-free paints, finishes and adhesives, to sustainable floor coverings, sidings and trim. 905.339.0202 HOME AND DESIGN 2170 Speers Road Oakville 905.825.5151 www.englelake.com · FURNITURE · ACCESSORIES · LANDSCAPING · RENOVATIONS PRODUCTS & SERVICES · HARDWOOD FLOORING · FIREPLACES AND SURROUNDS · WINDOWS, DOORS AND MORE! HOU LE OUtSE t SfAd Line A eer H W0 SREs Rd., jus wes o 3r -8pm p 217 May 8, 9am ay 7 & Fri. Thurs. M am-6pm y May 9, 9 Saturda o inARoo CEmWg SMnINGS S Open House DESIGN KE HOME & ENGLELANDSCAPING & CDL LA CALL NOW FOR CURRENT SPECIALS Grand Opening 10" Hanging Basket Tips for saving our Canadian water resources (NC)--A new national survey conducted by Angus Reid Strategies on behalf of Purex Natural Elements laundry detergent shows that 91 per cent of Canadians believe that what you put down your drain has an impact on our environment. Yet, only 57 per cent of Canadians say they always think about what they are putting down their drains. Here are a few tips for getting your family to retrain their brains about down the drain etiquette: · Post a sign above your workshop, garage, basement and laundry room sinks that says "Stop and think before you dump that down the drain." · Ask yourself if you really need to run the water while brushing your teeth, rinsing off vegetables or dishes. Turning on the tap just as you need it, or filling the sink part way for rinsing will mean less wasted water down the drain. · Make sure your taps are turned off tightly after use. Little drips become big money and water wasters. · Don't throw that unused water boiled for tea down the drain; use it to water your plants instead. · Same goes for partially used bottles of water; with kids and family get-togethers there always seems to be a half-filled bottle or two left over. Give it to the plants or fill the pet's water dish with it. · Never use your toilet or sink as a garbage can. Don't dispose of dental floss, hair, cigarette butts, or paper tissues down the drain. · Household cleaners, paints, solvents, pesticides and other chemical are especially harmful to the environment and our water systems. Dispose of them properly. · Consider the type of soap, shower gel and laundry detergent you are using at the cottage or at home, especially if you are on a septic system. Look for brands that are flagged as septic-friendly. They tend to suds less, biodegrade easier and cause less stress on our lakes and streams. · If you use a high-efficiency laundry machine, make sure you use an HE laundry detergent. This will ensure less water is used to rinse the clothes and means less wasted water is going down the drain. 997 each 10" Patio Pot 997 each Valid while quantities last. 4 97 19 00 1 00 each Junipers Cedars each 7 gallon pot Topsoil each 20 litre bag Shop Walmart for all your planting needs. We guarantee every plant that we sell. 234 Hays Boulevard Trafalgar Rd. & Dundas St. W. (Hwy. 5) Store hours: Mon - Sun: 7am - 11pm