The family room is also known by other names like lounge room or living room. The guests spend most of their time in the family room and the room provides the ideal location for running all the home activities. You can make this central part of your house more green and sustainable by using some simple measures given below.
1. Unplug your electronic appliances
The electronics should not be left in their stand-by positions as they continue to extract some amount of energy form the switch boards. Some of these electronic equipment include television sets, VCDs, VCRs home theater systems, computers, music players, etc. As they can be simply started by the touch of the remote button, most people do not unplug them completely so that they can be started easily. This leads to wastage of energy. Ensure that these gadgets get turned off and unplugged after use. This will save energy while making your living room more sustainable and green.
2. Recycle the used electronics items
You can cause land pollution by dumping the no-longer-desired electronic items to landfills. The television sets contain elements like mercury and lead which can be hazardous to the health of living organisms, including humans. Lead can cause brain damage and mercurial adulteration can be fatal. Therefore, you should dispose your family room devices in a proper manner. If it is in a working condition, then you can sell it on Craiglist or can also give to some one needy. If the device is totally broken down and is not in a condition to be used, then you can dispose it in a proper manner by giving it to a recycling company. The process may cost a few extra bucks but will ensure that the device has been recycled without causing any pollution whatsoever.
3. Enjoy the natural sunlight
You should use more and more of natural sunlight and should try to keep the use of artificial light at lowest level. Usage of artificial lights during day time is only necessary, when the clouds are heavily overcasted during the winter seasons. The sunlight brings out the colors more clearly and also bring a feeling of freshness along with it. Avoid using artificial lights during daytime. You can get more light by opening the windows and shades. You can also make your home more sustainable and green by installing the skylights in the family room.
4. Invest in blinds
Some times the sun can get very warm for you to enjoy the sunlight. Using air conditioners can help you to get relief from the heat but your electricity bills will get higher. You can lower the heat in you family rooms by installing blinds. The blinds will keep the heat out of your family room while the open windows will provide fresh air. Over time, the investment in blinds will get covered and you will get a cooler family room at lower costs.
5. Get room insulation
A well-insulated family room will provide you a better living climate as it will preserve the heat during winters and will trap cool air during winter. The local utility district can also provide you some cost relief by providing subsidies and discounts. The insulation will help you to have more moderate temperatures for the living room which will help in avoiding the health conditions that can arise in the extreme temperatures.
6. Renewable flooring
You can make your living room more sustainable and green by employing the bamboo flooring during its remodeling. It will give the room a fresh look and will be an environment-friendly as well. This will help in preventing the dust mites that are found in the carpets and the flooring can be easily cleaned also. The bamboo will remain for a long time while the carpet will wear out in lesser time. Therefore, the extra cost that will be incurred in employing the bamboo flooring will get compensated in long run.
7. Buy long-lasting furniture
You should buy long-lasting furniture for your house. This will add sustainability to your house and you will enjoy the comfort of your family room for a longer period of time. The furniture bought should last for a time period of at least ten years. You can replace the out-of-date upholsteries by the slip covers. They can get you new couches as well.
8. Buy houseplants and keep them in your living room
You can easily clean the air of family room by keeping the houseplants in them. Houseplants can help in converting the room’s carbon dioxide to oxygen and can also remove the hazardous vapors from the room air. For example, the spider plant has been found to reduce the carbon monoxide levels and the Aloe Vera and the Ficus plants have been found to reduce the formaldehyde content in air.
9. Place the ‘Welcome’ mat at the entry door
EPA says that the inside areas of houses are 2 to 5 times more polluted than the outsides. By placing the welcome mat at the entry door, the entry of foreign pollutants, hazardous chemicals and dust particles to the house indoors, including the living room, will be avoided. These substances get attached to the shoes and slippers and reach the inside areas of homes including the family rooms. The measure will make your living room more sustainable in long run.
10. Play games
Family rooms are not all about expensive gadgets and furnishings. You can play a game with your family members or can enjoy your favorite novel on the couch of the living room. This way you will use lesser number of electrical appliances and will save energy. The bond between you and your family will also increase and you will have memorable experiences of the living room.
