With the authorities placing more emphasis on green initiatives, such as eco-friendly building designs and the exploring of a floating solar power system, it is becoming clearer that being environmentally friendly is not just a passing fad, but a lifestyle that more are working to achieve.
(Energy-saving fluorescent lights can make a room look harsh and cold. Read on to find out how they can be more pleasing to the eye.)
More households are taking environmental factors into consideration when designing and decorating their homes. For many Singaporeans, installing solar panels or fancy flush systems that reuse wastewater are out of the question. Fret not; there are other options to explore to create an environmentally responsible home.
Go recycled
If you dutifully separate your trash from your recyclables, why not go one step further and purchase furniture made of recycled material? In Singapore, there are a good number of furniture houses that specialise in crafting designer coffee tables, chairs and more out of recycled and reclaimed wood. For statement pieces that will blow your guests away, a quick search on the Internet should yield quirky side tables made out of old bicycle tires and armchairs carved out from unwanted shopping carts.
Install wider windows
An airtight home not only blocks out a lovely breeze, the accumulated humidity from cooking and living in your house stays trapped and promotes the growth of mould and mildew. Wider windows mean bigger breeze for your rooms, which can only mean less electricity is needed to power fans and air-conditioners. If you are in the market for a home, keep an eye out for one on a higher floor. A home with an unblocked view generally means wonderful free-flowing winds.
Fluorescent bulbs can be pretty too.
Fluorescent bulbs have long been promoted for their energy-saving qualities. Yet, many homes insist on filament or halogen ones because they are less harsh on the eyes and more flattering for the home. Fortunately for the home proud eco-warrior, there are a handful of ways to make fluorescent lights more aesthetically appealing. One cost-saving method is choosing fluorescent bulbs that give off a ‘warm white’ light. If you have a couple of dollars to spare, installing decorative fluorescent light panels over the bulb will definitely give you style points.
Feel the pressure
If you’re one to indulge in long showers, replace your traditional showerhead with a pressurised low-flow one that will save you gallons of water a day. Yes, gallons. Imagine the savings that will be translated to your utilities bill. The same can be done for sinks and garden hoses by switching to aerosol spray faucets or adding on an attachment that will increase water pressure and decrease water use.
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