EcoHearth: Come Home to the Earth

A few days ago, I was reminded of the strength of tea tree oil when I accidentally spilled a few drops on a freshly painted dresser. Within moments, it ate through the paint. Whoever says that natural products aren’t as potent as their artificial counterparts has yet to encounter the powerhouse that is tea tree oil. Just one whiff of this essential oil’s harsh medicinal smell is enough to clue you in to its might. Read on…

Deciding to purchase a house is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions of anyone’s lifetime. As an eco-conscious consumer, in addition to making a sound fiscal choice, you’ll also want your purchase to reflect your environmental convictions. Factors to weigh as you begin your quest include types of green features most important to you, best locations for an eco-home, green home financing and choosing a realtor who knows about the green home market. Read on…

As a convenient, affordable way to conserve energy and lower electricity bills, compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) have gained increasing popularity. That’s no surprise, considering that they consume approximately 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent ones.

Unlike incandescents, which create light by running electricity across a wire filament, CFLs send electricity through a tube containing argon and a small amount of mercury vapor. Because they contain mercury, when burnt out or accidentally broken, CFL bulbs must be properly handled and disposed of. Read on…

Spend just one evening watching shows on a home-improvement cable channel and you’ll get lots of advice on how to quickly sell your home for top dollar. Such advice includes hiring a realtor knowledgeable about your area, competitive pricing and staging to sell. But what about selling a green home? Here are some things to keep in mind when trying to sell your eco-friendly home: Read on…

Passive solar versus active solar, water catchment systems, LEED certification, xeriscaping, Earthship, pervious concrete, daylighting, etc. What do they all mean? As sustainable architecture continues to grow in popularity, so does the vocabulary associated with it. If you’re searching for a new house with eco-friendly features or if you’re interested in making some green upgrades to your current home, you may find the options and terminology overwhelming. To clear some of the confusion, here’s an explanation of some of today’s environmental home buzzwords: Read on…