Earth Day | GOING GREEN AT HOME

Each year Earth Day brings the opportunity for us to discuss the evolution of green building practices and highlight that energy-efficient homes can lead to big savings. At CRG we are dedicated to building sustainable communities, to us that means not only are the homes we build meant to last, but we also take as many steps as possible to reduce our impact on the environment around us. And, while there are now endless ways to design homes that are healthier for the environment and your family, there are also simple sustainable steps we can all take now to make a big impact as we build for a more efficient future.

Happy Earth Day World CRG

10 No-Cost Green Practices You Can Start Right Now

  1. In the Laundry - Over 80% of the energy used in washing clothes comes from heating the water. Cold water actually gets clothes just as clean and won’t set stains like hot water. You can also save energy and extend the life of your clothing by line drying whenever possible.

  2. At the Sink -  Skip the pre-rinse before loading the dishwasher. It wastes thousands of gallons annually and isn't necessary. While you are at it, skip the heat-dry setting for added savings. 

  3. A Timely Schedule  - Utilize the delay feature now available on most washers and dishwashers to start during your electric company's "off-peak hours”.

  4. Spring Cleaning - There’s no better time for a deep clean! Refrigerator coils and the dryer vents are two places where a deep clean will help your appliances run more efficiently.

  5. In the Closets - While you’ve got time, clean out those closets!  Donate items you are no longer using or repurpose others for every day items such as cloth napkins, totes, and cleaning rags!

  6. Recycle - Even if your trash service doesn’t provide recycling, there are several ways to recycle in your home. Start a compost bin for your food waste, which will result in free fertilizer for you! Glass bottles from condiments and sauces can also be repurposed for use as storage around the house, such as food, craft supplies, and more.

  7. Water, Water, Water - Just following the basics like turning off the facet when brushing your teeth, taking showers rather than baths, and being conscious while cooking and washing dishes saves gallons daily. Recycled water from cooking, washing vegetables, or rainwater collection can easily be used to water your plants inside and out! 

  8. Close the Curtains - We love natural light just as much as you. However, closing curtains in the summer helps keep your home cooler, so when you aren't home to enjoy the sunshine streaming in, keep the blinds closed and help reduce heat gain. 

  9. Use Your Power  - More than just installing them, turn off those power strips when you aren’t using them to stop energy-draining appliances that utilize power even when they aren’t in use. Speaking of appliances, counter top cookers (yes, your air fryer counts!) are big energy savers compared to stoves and multiple burner cooktops. 

  10. Find a Natural Solution - most of your daily cleaning tasks can be handled utilizing natural substances you already have in the home. Vinegar, juice from citrus fruits, and baking soda are just a few that can help save our local water supply and your family from exposure to harmful chemicals.

Building For A Greener Home

Building A Greener Home

When you are ready to build your next home, our home design experts can guide you through the process of designing a home that will be as efficient as it is beautiful. Here are just a few of the ways you can build a greener home.

  • Smart Home Automation- The many technology conveniences of the modern home allow you to easily reduce the consumption of excess energy by monitoring a variety of functions and appliances within your home. This is an excellent tool to help manage and change wasteful consumption behaviors while cutting down your utility bills to maintain an eco-friendly home. Smart home automation is designed to learn your preferences or be programmed to manage whether you are there or not. This includes thermostats, lighting controls, security, and more.

  • Energy Efficient Appliances- From laundry to cooking to making the home a comfortable place, the appliances we use in our households account for a large percent of our monthly or annual energy costs. ENERGY STAR-certified appliances will save you money on operating costs by reducing energy use without sacrificing performance. ENERGY STAR appliances use over 30 percent less electricity or fuel than a typical appliance of that type.

  • Reduce Water Use- In addition to the quick steps you can take to reduce unnecessary use of water, there are plenty of ways to update your home to reduce your use further. Many modern appliances are also designed to use roughly 45% less water than your typical washer saving you more than 3,000 gallons of water each year!
  • Plumbing fixtures such as the toilet, shower head, and faucet that meet the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria for water efficiency and performance can use 20% less water than federal requirements.
  • Tankless Water Heaters- On-demand tankless water heaters are a great way to reduce the energy wasted to run the plumbing in your home. Tankless water heaters are smaller, easier to repair, more durable, and last twice as long as storage water heaters. By using fewer natural resources, tankless water heaters cause less of environmental disruption in addition to fewer carbon emissions and pollution.

  • Better Products- Keep in mind that technology extends past the tablets and TVs in your home. It also includes the processes that are used to produce materials such as flooring, cabinets, and countertops. Using recycled goods and non-toxic substances greatly reduces the impact on our environment and improves the air quality in your home.

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE, SMART HOME COMMUNITIES

CRG Companies is dedicated to leaving an environmentally friendly footprint with all of our construction and design projects. As the exclusive builder in Living Dunes, one of the newest Grande Dunes communities, we were able to implement many sustainable practices as a standard.

Sustainable Communities by CRG

All Homes At Living Dunes Include These Green Features:

  • A Natural Gas Community
  • HERS-Rated
  • Energy Efficient LED Bulbs
  • Rinnai® Tankless Gas Water Heater
  • LOW-E Impact Resistant Windows
  • 15 SEER-Rated HVAC System
  • Elmwood Fine Custom Cabinetry
  • Quick Tie System and Tall Wall Sheathing
  • 2×6 Exterior Walls with Spray Foam Insulation In Exterior Walls, Attic & Garage Ceiling
  • Low-VOC Paint Coatings


These energy-efficient homes aren’t exclusive to Living Dunes. The new home experts at CRG can design and construct any home to be as efficient as you want it to be. 

Earth Day is every day At CRG

As a Myrtle Beach custom home builder, we believe in building and construction practices that go beyond industry standards in order to design homes that are both sustainable and energy efficient. It's a team effort to decrease our overall impact on the environment while building quality homes that will sustain generations.

Whether you're thinking of going GREEN for your existing or new Myrtle Beach home, there are many ways to make your household more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Contact us today to discuss details on products and processes that can help you reduce the use and increase your energy and cost savings.

Discussion

#1 By Jay Jorgenson at 4/2/2021 1:55 PM

It was interesting when you mentioned that spring is the best time for a deep clean and how it helps appliances to work properly. My parents have been recently turned themselves into eco-activists, and they are trying to adapt their home to be eco-friendly. I will make sure they know these tips so they can apply them to their own house. I also think it might be useful to look for a professional that can suggest if it´s possible to make deeper changes.

#2 By angeles university foundation at 8/26/2021 7:50 PM

Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful!

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