Spaulding House
Springfield, IL
Spaulding House uses many innovative green technologies to make itself more sustainable. Many of these technologies can be used at your home also. This article contains information you can use for this purpose.
Blowerdoor test
A blowerdoor test is a great way to keep your house energy efficient. CWLP has a program where they will conduct a blowerdoor test if they provide electricity to your home. After the test is performed, CWLP will make an audit report of any necessary steps you need to take to make your home more energy efficient. If you do what the energy audit suggests within one year, you may qualify to a full refund of the price of the blowerdoor test. Go here for more details. If you are not in CWLP's area, contact your local power company to find out if they perform blowerdoor tests.
Energy Star ratings
Spaulding House uses only Energy Star rated appliances in its household. Energy Star is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. If an appliance has the energy star logo as pictured above, it is generally a more efficient appliance. Energy Star's website is http://www.energystar.gov/
Recycled Materials
Spaulding House uses many recycled materials for the floors instead of standard carpets and tiles. The floor in foyer is made of lyptus. Lyptus,
a combination of eucalyptus and two other trees by Weyerhaeuser, is harder than oak and is grown on plantations certified to Brazil's national sustainable forestry standard, CERFLOR. The eucalyptus trees grow quickly and can be harvested within 14 to 16 years of planting, unlike oak, which takes 50 years. They can plant Lyptus where the rain forest has been stripped, and a new rainforest can grow up under it and continue to grow once the Lyptus is harvested.
The porch's floor looks like wood but is actually made from recycled milk jugs. The counter tops are made from a special brand of quartz called Cambria. It is a substance made of 97% crushed up quartz and 3% resin. It is more sustainable than a granite counter top because it does not require constant resealing. The carpet in the computer room is made from recycled soda bottles. Spaulding House got all of its recycled flooring from Staff Carpeting of Springfield, IL. However, there are many companies that will sell recycled flooring. Whenever you put any type of new floor materials in your house, consider using recycled materials.
Solar Panels
Spaulding House uses solar panels to make itself much more energy sustainable. Solar panels can be very expensive. However, over time they will more than pay for themselves with the amount a person can save on energy. Also, solar panels add to the value of your house and help the environment. There are many grants available for purchasing solar panels. One great website to help you find grants you can use for solar panels is the Database of State Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency (DSIRE). If you need help finding someone to install a solar panel for you, Solar today has a over 4,200 solar panel installers nation wide. Click here for the list.
Donate old computers.
Computer waste is a terrible cause of pollution. However, computer pollution can be significantly reduced through recycling. One great organization is Springfield, IL Computer Banc. Computer Banc accepts old computers through computer drives. They will then refurbish the computers and give them to schools or at risk children.Their Springfield location is 1023 East Washington Street. Also, Click here for their website.
Another great computer recycling center is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore center. They will resell the computers in their ReSale store, and then use that money to help build houses for needy low income familes. The Springfield location is 1514 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62702. Also, Click here for their website.
BLH computers has a recycling program. They recycly many electronics including computers, video game systems, televisions, radios and even vacuum cleaners. Their Springfield location is 1832 Stevenson Drive, Springfield IL 62703. Also, Click here for their website which includes the full of list of what they accept.
Other
There are many simple steps you can take to be more environmentally friendly. These include using fluorescent bulbs, recycling, turning off lights and unused electronics, and many more easy to do things. This website, 50 ways to help the planet, gives many ideas. While each item may have a minimal impact be itself, the impact will quickly add up as more people choose more environmentally conscience actions.
Other Environment Links
United States Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/
EPA Illinois website http://www.epa.state.il.us/
Sierra Club http://www.sierraclub.org/
Illinois Attorney General Environmental Division http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/environment/envdivision.html
Students United for a Greener Earth (SAGE) At University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) http://www.uis.edu/environmentalstudies/students/SAGE.html
Environmental News Network (ENN) http://www.enn.com/