When people think of the concept of sustainability, they often think of solar panels, wind turbines, and eco-friendly cars. Sustainability is so much more than how we choose to power our vehicles or cities. Sustainability can be greatly impacted by aesthetic choices that we make in our own homes, such as appliance and finish selections.
Choosing to use paints with zero or low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) improves indoor air quality, which is not only better for the environment but also better for everyone who lives in the home. Low and zero VOC paints are available in a wide variety of colors and finishes and are sold by many different brands.
Sherwin-Williams EcoSelect, Behr Ultra, and PPG Diamond paints range from low to zero VOCs and come in hundreds of shades and multiple finishes.
Choosing to live sustainably can also include surface selection in your home. Quartz is an environmentally friendly alternative to granite. Quartz is sourced through processes that require less time and exert less stress on the environment. It also creates fewer waste products while still achieving the same timeless beauty that granite has.
The tub surrounded in this picturesque bathroom is made of Corian® Quartz that has an Environmental Product Declaration and GreenGuard Certification. The product also has a reduced carbon footprint and releases little to no VOCs.
The countertop and backsplash in this kitchen is made of Cambria quartz in the shade Sherwood™. Cambria products have a Mindful Materials certification, are Living Building Challenge compliant, and are sourced in mines using hydroelectric power, which reduces carbon footprint.
The sustainability of a home can also be increased through appliance selection. Many modern appliances come with Energy Star certifications, meaning that they reduce the amount of energy used in the home and are more economically friendly. Energy Star certifications can be given to washers, driers, refrigerators, and dishwashers. Selecting appliances made from recycled materials can also increase sustainability.
This Samsung Family Hub refrigerator exceeds Energy Star efficiency requirements and reduces strain on the environment. You can find this refrigerator and other Energy Star efficiency brands at all four of AllSouth’s showrooms.
Big Green Egg grills have an air circulation system that allows the charcoal to burn longer and emit fewer ashes into the air. Big Green Egg also aims to produce all of its products using sustainable materials.
Being more sustainable does not always have to be a large-scale initiative, being more friendly to our environment can start with choosing more sustainable products to put in our own homes.
