Live Green
You’ve probably noticed that green living is everywhere these days. Not only do you hear about people who live green in the news and through politics, but it is in fashion and even technology. Going green has become a lifestyle choice for most of the Gen-X buyers. When searching for a condo/house, the consumers who are conscious about the environment seem to live by the idea of building Green Condos. Others, who are not looking to buy, simply go green by changing their lifestyle.
You are probably wondering what the difference is between a condo that is green and one that is not? Green buildings include a green roof, natural water and air cooling systems, wind turbine for generating buildings own power, solar paneling, natural insulation and many more energy saving techniques. Find a Condo that is green for your next home.
Individuals who are not looking to purchase simply live green by changing the way they do things around their home. There are some simple principles to live by that will help you move toward being green. Try to buy energy star appliances. Upgrading your kitchen with energy saving appliances will save you money in the end. Try to keep your home "closed up". By this I mean, close the fireplace damper when you are not using it. Insulate your home properly and make sure that all your windows are sealed properly. Plug all holes and check air ducts for any leaks. Another way to stay green is to maintaining your heating and cooling system. Clean your filters regularly and consider upgrading to the latest energy efficient furnaces. An inexpensive method to stay green is to replace your light bulbs with fluorescents and you’ll save about 50% of you lighting energy bill. As far as the exterior-try to choose indigenous plants with deciduous trees planted on the south and west side of your house to keep your house cool in summer and allow the sun to shine through your windows in the winter.
These examples are just some of the ways that you can help our environment and live green! Educate yourself on being green and search for Chicago condos that are built with green materials. Although some of the methods may seem costly at first, you will end up saving money in the long run by choosing to go green. Make the choice to go green and make an impact on the environment.
Chicago Green Condos
Have you ever wondered what it means to be green? It can be used to describe something organic or it can be used when describing something environmentally friendly. Not only in everyday living, but In today’s real estate market, green is becoming more and more popular. Homeowners are making changes for the good of the environment. Chicago Green Condos are what is hip and what is hot. Condo buyers are seeking environmentally friendly places to call home.
From using materials that are made from recycled products like countertops and tile, to selecting faucets and fixtures that save water, to heating, cooling and appliances that saves energy, finding a Chicago Green Condo may not be as difficult as it sounds. Even if you cannot find the ideal Chicago green condo it is easy to take something ordinary and make it green. And even the smallest of changes can benefit the environment and save money. This past weekend marked the second year of Earth Hour where countries across the globe were asked to turn off their lights for one hour. This year Commonwealth Edison utility announced after Earth Hour 2009, that the demand for electricity fell by 1 percent in Chicago and northern Illinois, reducing about 139,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
Here are a few tips to make your Chicago condo a Chicago Green Condo:
First, change the appliances to Energy-Star appliances. In 1992, in an attempt to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the United States Environmental Protection Agency created Energy Star. Changing to Energy Star refrigerator can reduce energy consumption by as much as 20% while an Energy Star dishwasher can save as much as 41%.
And a simple change of your light bulbs to fluorescent lighting can save reduce energy consumption by 75 % and the bulbs will last up to ten times longer than normal incandescent lights.
Home electronics are also rated for energy efficiency.
From changing the appliances to Energy-Star appliances, changing the water faucets and fixtures to water saving models to selecting light colors for your surroundings that reflect the light and not absorb the light, changing bulbs to fluorescent bulbs, adding insulation, replacing windows and even the roof are all ways that can make Chicago Green Condos a great place to call home. Not only would you be saving energy, but the savings of money can really add up annually.
Consult a Realtor at OwnACondo.com to begin your search for a green condo.
Green Chicago Condos
The green craze has hit nearly every industry imaginable, and Chicago's condo market is no exception.
The green building boom is in full swing in Chicago, with eco-friendly condo buildings popping up all over the city. These new condos boast an impressive lineup of eco-features, including green roofs, solar paneling, natural water and air cooling and energy-conserving appliances and insulation. Most eco-friendly condos also are LEED certified, which means they've got the U.S. Green Building Council's official stamp of eco-approval.
A few buildings, like Bucktown's EcoLogic Lofts, live up to the Windy City moniker by using wind turbines to generate some of the building's power. And The Emerald, in the West Loop, is even located on Green Street. You can't get much greener than that.
Many developments encourage eco-consciousness in other ways, too. Eco18, in the South Loop, and EcoLogic both offer priority parking for hybrid cars, along with bicycle storage and easy access to public transportation. And with on-site recycling programs in most of these condo developments, you've got no reason to toss that milk carton in the trash.
Although the asking price for a green condo may be a bit higher than a conventional one, the extra cost is likely to pay for itself in energy savings. Eco-friendly condos are designed to maximize energy efficiency, making them an attractive option for buyers concerned with rising energy costs. Plus, there's no need to sacrifice style for sustainable living. Many of Chicago's green condos are built by acclaimed architects and feature the same great design as other condos but with a much smaller carbon footprint.
Green building materials. Green appliances. Green amenities. Pretty cool, huh? It's enough to make all other condos green with envy. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist.)
