Green options: increasingly more affordable

Go Green!

There are more and more eco-friendly options that enable you to reduce your personal or family’s ecological footprint while lessening risks to your health and saving money! Nowadays, we have no more reasons to delay going green!

Water-efficient toilets

There are now many models of water-efficient toilets that consume as little as six litres of water. This means that you can reduce water consumption by 50 to 70%. Dual-flush toilet reservoirs are also available. They allow you to select a water volume of six or three litres. Water savings thus increase by 25%.

Low-flow shower heads

Traditional shower heads consume around 14 litres of water per minute; some, as much as 20 litres. New, energy-saving shower heads reduce consumption to around 5 litres per minute.

Electronic faucets

An electronic faucet has a motion detector that automatically activates water flow. Washing one’s hands with these faucets can reduce water consumption from eight to five litres, and brushing one’s teeth, from 10 litres to 3.

Electronic thermostats

Electronic thermostats ensure a more uniform temperature in homes. Their use can mean savings of as much as 10% on heating costs. Additional savings can be obtained with a programmable thermostat.

Compact fluorescent lamp

Compact fluorescent lamps can last up to ten times longer than conventional bulbs: from five to six years as opposed to six months. They consume as much as 75% less energy to produce the same amount of light.

High-efficiency fireplaces

New fireplaces have been developed to ensure more efficient combustion. Compared to ordinary fireplaces, they can reduce particle emissions by up to 90%, and consume as much as 30% less wood for the same amount of heat.

Energy-efficient windows

Highly energy-efficient windows (ENERGY STAR) offer numerous advantages: savings, comfort, durability, and being environmentally friendly. Heating costs can be reduced by as much as 10%.

Ecological carpeting

It is now easy to find carpeting on the market that ensures cleaner air in rooms, and that is manufactured with respect for the environment.

Aluminium siding

Aluminium siding has a useful life of more than 40 years. This type of siding offers several benefits including its resistance to water, rot and insects. Because it is recyclable, it is a choice material.

Low energy-consumption appliances

Energy consumption can be reduced by choosing optimum energy-efficient domestic appliances (ENERGY STAR) such as refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers.

VOC-free paint

Paints that contain no VOCs, or a minimal amount, are widely available. The reduction of VOC emissions offers undeniable advantages for both human health and the environment.

Certified FSC wood

The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) symbol seen on construction materials confirms that the wood comes from responsibly-managed forests. Buying locally-produced wood also ensures lower transportation costs, which is another important factor in environmental costs.

To find out about eco-friendly options consult The Guide to Green Choices.

Source: Association provinciale des constructeurs d’habitations du Québec (APCHQ)