As homeowner ourselves, we take pride and joy for the improvements we have made to our houses. We announce it to the closest people to us by holding get together activities or barbeque parties at home for our friends and families.

Today’s tip from Bernie’s Greener Homes, we will touch on that – “How to hold green home parties?” In choosing food and wine to put on our table, think of the consequences of choosing produce that is easy to digest and easy on the planet as well.

Green home parties at Bernie's Greener Homes Australia

a. Buy items by the bulk to do away with the frequent trips to the grocery store.

b. Learn to patronize business that serves as a means for serving the common good of mankind and the environment.

c. Purchase items that use bio-based plastic packaging or one that comes in minimally packaged containers.

d. Try to recycle any packaging you end up with and this will lead to less burden on the landfill.

e. Remember our green home resolutions? Your kitchen leftovers can be segregated for a compost pit. This can later be used as fertilizer that would be give you great soil in return.

We have more suggestions on how you can organize green home parties. Watch out for more green tips for green homeowners tomorrow. For more suggestions, why not subscribe to our mailing list so you won’t miss any of our green tips for greener homes here in Australia.

With my trash disposal in check, here are a few other “Green home” habits we as homeowners can pursue this 2012:

1. Composting. - Start your own backyard compost. Not only will this improve the quality of your garden soil naturally, but, it will also help you to further reduce your trash.  Use some of your own biodegradable trash for the compost.  This green habit can also save you money instead of buying chemical fertilizers.

Recycle water bottle for Bernie's greener homes

2. Grow vegetables.  This might pose a space problem since some backyard gardens are quite small.  However, you can do some wise water gardening or balcony harvesting. You can also recycle  some empty containers (like unused cans and soda bottles) as pots for vegetables.  Green homeowners could save and enjoy fresh vegetables that are organic and home-grown. Just imagine that crunchy salad! Yum!

3. Give up your paper towels. – Let us save our trees!  To help make this possible, use cloth rags which can be washed and re-used.  Sure, it would make life a little bit difficult (not really!) but life would be much more difficult without trees. Just thinking about that possibility should make you think twice before reaching out for a paper towel.

4. Keep reusable bags and water bottles handy.  One of the top contributors of trash are plastic bags and water bottles.  With continuous and irresponsible use, we will be living in a planet full of plastic garbage.  Instead, keep your green bags and water bottles handy so you can use them in every available opportunity.

There are more green tips to add in this list but these are the ones we intend to faithfully accomplish.  How about you?  What do you intend to do to have a greener home?

It’s already April and we just ended the first quarter of the year 2012. It’s time to make a quick check of our “green” resolutions.

For the first quarter of 2012, have you been true with your New Year’s Green Resolutions yet?  Like most, we at Bernie’s Greener Homes have listed a new set of resolutions for concerned homeowners alike.  I am proud to say that I had done half of my green resolutions last year.  It was not without a LOT of effort on my part though.  Being able to accomplish half of my resolutions for 2010 is a great achievement and I plan to do better this year. So what is in my green resolutions list?

green resolutions 2012 for Bernie's greener homes

This year I am resolved to deepen my practices of being a Green Advocate. I started my so-called “renewal” last year and my most significant achievement (mind you, I am truly proud of this) is being able to faithfully segregate my trash into those which are biodegradable and non-biodegradable.  It did not only considerably reduce my trash, I was able to earn from my “junk”.  To be honest about it, it was the earning part which kept me going. (honesty is the best policy!)

To see what is in my green resolutions list for homeowners who wants to have a greener home, watch out for tomorrow’s post. For now, do share with us here at Bernie’s Greener Homes what are your green resolutions by commenting below.

As promised, here are the reasons how solar power can save you money in the long run?

Bernie's Greener Homes solar panels

1. Solar power is wireless.

2. It requires very little maintenance. Solar electricity makes you completely independent from a utility company.

3. Unlike coal-based electricity, producing electricity from solar power does not generate pollutants. The production of the solar PV cell and transportation of the cell to your home are perhaps the only pollution you could associate with a solar power cell. After electricity has been used to power the tools needed in the installation of your solar panels, everything else is pollution-free.

4. Solar power maybe used to harness power in remote locations, where building power lines is hard to do. A solar power system can make a huge difference to mountain communities and even in the most remote places on earth.

5. Imagine how many people’s health will improve by the closure of one power plant that burns coal to generate electricity. Adapting to the Greenhouse Effect and global warming will be a thing of the past if households commit to become green homes.

6. Solar panels will help you realize energy self-sufficiency with the smallest carbon footprint possible.

Bernie’s Greener Homes supports clean energy solution for a more sustainable way of life. Your solid commitment for green homes makes a big difference.

Global warming is the most pressing issue that affects us all. Impacts of climate change can be felt everywhere. Hence, there is an urgent need to raise community awareness on creating a global solution by turning to renewable energy technology.

With the monthly and yearly savings you can make on your electricity bills, the initial investment in home solar panels is a small price to pay.

solar energy for bernie's greener homes

While it may appear as an expensive way to generate household electricity compared to the traditional use of fossil fuel, you will save money in the long run. Once you have purchased solar panels, solar lightings etc., you will no longer worry about recurring costs or adding fuel. The demand and supply of regular fuel will no longer affect you.

solar energy and its practical use in the long term by bernie's greener homes

Learn how can solar power can help you save more in the long run by tuning in tomorrow for the advantages of solar power versus traditional sources of energy.

Here are FIVE simple and practical tips which we could do to help fight water scarcity.

Tips To Save Water from Berniesgreenerhomes

1. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.

Turning the tap off while brushing your teeth would save 6 liters of precious water per minute.    If all of us would do this, we could save a LOT!

2. DO NOT wash your car with a hose.

Washing  a car with a hose uses up to 400 liters of water.  Use a bucket and a dipper when cleaning your car and we save so much.

3. Shorten your showers.

Shortening your showers for as little as a minute would save us up to 150 gallons per month.  One minute short does not cost that much in our hygiene doesn’t it?

Conserve Water by Berniesgreenerhomes

4. Collect rainwater from your roof to water your garden.

This would help save clean tap water we use for watering our gardens for drinking and other use.

5. Teach the hubby to turn off the tap while he shaves.

By turning off the tap, the men in our lives would help us save 300 gallons of water per month.

Simple isn’t it?  Who would ever realize that the simple act of brushing our teeth or taking a shower would have a great effect on our water reserves?  Now that we know how to conserve water, we should start doing better.

Can you imagine living in Australia where we have to fight for water? We need to gamble and pay high stakes for water to drink.  We will not have the luxury of baths.  What little water we use to clean ourselves, we would recycle for our other needs.  Whatever scarce amount of water we find, we protect with utmost ferocity.  A world, where water had become the primordial force ruling our lives. It will definitely not be a green home in Australia. Scary, isn’t it?

Water Scarcity - Water is not Always Abundant

Second to the air we breathe, water sits at the top of the hierarchy of human needs. We have better chances of surviving when there is water.  We use water day in and day out. This makes water very precious.  Sadly, however, this is one of the gifts that had been squandered by humans.  Our irresponsible ways of using water had taken a toll on our water reserves. News on water depletion and scarcity is not uncommon.  Water has become so scarce that is affects one out of three people in the entire world.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released facts about water scarcity but we don’t see it because only a handful of people are reporting it and if it is even reported it is covered by all the flashy news in entertainment. Will it matter what your favorite movie star wore last night at the awards night if years from now you don’t have water to drink. Pay attention NOW!  Almost one fifth of the world’s population (about 1.2 billion people) lives in areas where water is physically scarce.

A mother getting what scarce water she can find.

With this glaring fact, we need to act in a fast, decisive and collective manner in order to save our water.  Even moms like you and me could make a difference.  Just imagine the impact that we could make on the conservation of water if all the mothers out there would lend a committed helping hand in water conservation.  It would be huge!

If you are really concerned about water scarcity, the next question to ask is, “How are we going to conserve water?” Tune in next week here Wednesday at Bernies Greener Homes for the continuation of our article on conserving water.

Source: Photos from World Health Organization

How you heat water for your residential homes have a significant impact on the world we live in.  The total carbon dioxide emitted by traditional water heater in average homes is directly proportional to carbon dioxide level produced by all cars and small trucks in the
country. Imagine that!

Another way of saying this is that if households choose solar water heaters instead the carbon dioxide reduction would be similar to doubling the cars’ fuel efficiency. We at Bernie’s greener homes would like to promote that for greener homes in Australia.

Though the cost of a solar water heater is higher than the conventional water heater, it proves to be cost-effective and reliable choice for abundant hot water in the long run.

Why opt for a solar hot water system?

solar water heater bernies green homes autralia

1. Solar Hot Water System is one of the oldest uses of solar energy. Capturing the sun’s power and putting it to good use by heating water (and even air) for your home is an important decision you can make. This green lifestyle choice can make a big difference in making our Mother Planet cleaner.
2. You will be avoiding carbon dioxide since it does not pollute.
3. Investing in a thermal heater translates to reduced utility bills, unlimited hot water for your family and protection from future fuel shortages or price increases.

Limited natural oil and gas reserves are burned everyday just to provide heat to our homes. Burning fossils fuels causes air pollution. Even electric space and water heaters contribute to air pollution since coal and natural gases are being burned to produce electricity.

solar water heater greener homes australia

Bernie’s Greener Homes calls for every household to take action NOW!. Help our planet’s atmosphere’s become less polluted. Come to think of it, filthy air causes health risks and degrades the ecosystem. But if you choose solar power energy your carbon footprints will be minimized. The choices you make for your green homes will accumulate as favors to the future generations. Think one green home in Australia at a time.

We are Bernie’s Greener Homes are still shocked to know that some people still consider going green as a new concept.  Fortunately, more and more people are made aware of the pressing issues that beset the environment we live in.  And the best way to embrace this is for each individual to build greener homes and live healthier lifestyles.

But how will you live this greener life when the decisions and choices you make define your current lifestyle? Living in a greener home and having a healthier lifestyle is living your life in a way that improves your mental and physical well-being. Before you continue reading, ask this to yourself first: Would you like to have that?

greener homes healthier lifestyle

If the answer is yes, then this post is going to make a big impact on your life. Living a healthy and green lifestyle takes your home life a level higher.  It means choosing life activities that afford little carbon footprint or no impact on the environment.

The effect your life activity on nature is called a carbon footprint.  Reducing one’s carbon footprint is a major concern of anyone trying to live in a greener home.  The more environment-friendly a practice is; the less carbon footprint is generated.

Conserving the natural resources is a great way to go if you are trying to be green.  Why do that? Well, to put it simply, helping to preserve the earth’s natural resources will benefit the generations to come. You may not be directly affected now but think about your children’s children. Will you be one of the reasons why they will live in a polluted and unhealthy environment just because it is convenient for you now to stay in your current lifestyle?

healthy children greener homes

If you want to take action now in having a healthier lifestyle then here are some basic tips on how you can have a greener home:
1. Employ the two main actions of living a greener home by reusing and recycling items.

2. Refrain from using disposable paper products like plates and table napkins.  This will help save trees from being cut down.

3. Make a habit of monitoring your electricity consumption and you save the ozone from greenhouse gases that fossil fuels generate.

4. You can do more by striving to switch to clean, renewable energy system for your home. Explore what solar energy can do for you.

5. Science and technology has made possible tapping energy from the sun, natural gas, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric sources.

6. You make green lifestyle sustainable by achieving power self-sufficiency with the least carbon footprint contribution.

Bernie’s Greener Homes salutes all who advocate green and healthy lifestyles. There is no better time for young people to contribute to environmental awareness and responsibility than NOW.

We can be advocates of greener homes.  It is simpler than you think.

We can start by taking care of nature and by leaving the world the same way we entered.  We owe it to our  children to provide them a clean, safe place to grow up in.

There is an article from Gardening Australia Magazine for December 2011 about balcony harvesting. These two keywords give you an idea that you will be harvesting produce from your own balcony. The concept seems to be interesting, even ideal. But is it really feasible?

The answer is definitely a big yes! To give you real accounts of real people who are busy and working and can keep a garden in their own balcony, here are some stories Bernie’s Greener Homes have collected.

balcony gardening in high rise buildings

Our first feature has a long list of accomplishments ahead of her she is one of the anchors in The Circle, a Master Chef finalist, and now she just published a book entitled “Edible Balcony”. Indira Naidoo, keeps a balcony garden in her apartment located on the 13^th floor of a building. The potted plants in her apartment did not only make her space a greener home but it also a welcoming and relaxing space for her to come home to. Her experience in balcony gardening was not a yellow-brick road where she knew exactly where it is headed. In fact, she tried several crops and plants (she planned to road-test about 40 balcony plants) before she got the right combination. The highlight of Indira Naidoo’s personal experience in balcony gardening is when she said “You can garden anywhere.” And just like what we advocate here in Bernie’s Greener Homes, Indira Naidoo advises those people who want to start their own balcony garden three simple things:

Indira Naidoo talks about Balcony Gardening

1. Consult an expert – Indira Naidoo consulted Peter Cundall to design her garden. She called Cundall as “a great hero of mine and has inspired my endeavours.”
2. Plan before you plant. – Indira Naidoo did not just start buying seeds and pots. It wasn’t a well elaborate plan but only a rough draft just to get started.
3. Finally be patient with your self. Plants take time to grow and needs nurturing. Consider this indoor activity as a de-stressor to help you relax instead of another chore to do.

In 2008, an article from The Sydney Morning Herald came out to give simple step by step procedure on starting a balcony garden. This article on balcony gardening also listed what balcony plants to use ranging from wind-resistant plants (ideal for apartments found in high rise buildings); trees and shrubs you can plant in pots; and plants that can survive in the shade. The amazing thing on what the author, Ms. Jennifer Stackhouse wrote is to consider also where your balcony garden is facing for time and amount of sunlight your plants will be getting throughout the day.

Balcony Plants

Finally, we feature another Australian author, cook and restaurateur, Stephanie Alexander whose Kitchen Garden projects inspired many people to harvest vegetables right from their own backyard. Ms. Alexander started the Kitchen Garden in 2001 when she worked together with a school community in Melbourne for Collingwood College.

The idea of the Kitchen garden is for kids to maintain a garden in school where they learn “lifetime skills” while at the same time growing and cooking seasonal vegetables, herbs and fruits at the comfort of your own garden. The idea is similar to a British television show “Grow Your Own Drugs” because it advocates the use of the plants in your neighbourhood preferably in your own garden to make different home products and not just for food such as cologne, facial creams, masks, insect repellents, and many more.

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

The important things to get from these shows, books and programs is to get you excited in the idea of the joy of making your home a greener home not just aesthetically but also for the health of your entire family.

We will be talking more about how you can turn your space to a greener home by gardening in our next week feature. For now, Bernie’s greener homes would like to know what you want to know about green gardening and green homes. Drop us a comment or question below and we will answer it.

Image Source: Dreamstime, Yahoo Images