What does energy conservation mean to you?
Is it the monthly amount you’re keeping in your pocket, instead of paying a high utility bill? Or is it a gloomy vision of global warming, polluting power plants, and acid rain?

Whatever your reason, if you choose to save energy, you are making a wise choice. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical U.S. family spends more than $2,000 a year on home utilities. Moreover, fossil fuel-generated electricity used yearly by an average-size home puts more CO2 into the air than two cars.

So how can you conserve energy in your own home?
Here are some of the most significant and cost-effective ways:

• insulate walls, floors and ceilings
• seal air leaks around windows and doors, so heated or cooled air can’t escape
• plant a tree to shade your windows which will reduce the need for air conditioning
• use multi-layered window treatments for better protection against heat transfer through the window
• install a programmable thermostat to easily control indoor temperature
• close heating vents and doors in unused rooms



photo from Stock Photos

• lower water heater temperature to 120° F
• take showers instead of full baths
• clean air filters on your air heating and cooling system for more efficient operation
• buy only energy-efficient appliances for your household; they may cost more, but the savings on your utilities will soon compensate for additional cost
• wash only full loads of clothes and dishes
• use energy-saving settings on your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer
• when not in use, turn off your computer and monitor
• plug all home theater components ( TV, DVD players, etc) into power strips; turn the power strips off when you aren’t using the equipment
• use compact fluorescent light bulbs or LED lamps
• install dimmers on your light fixtures; not only will you save energy, but also extend the life of the light bulbs
• turn off the lights when leaving a room, or install motion controlled switches

Educate yourself and others about energy efficiency. For more tips on saving energy, read the Energy Savers Booklet by the U.S. Department of Energy. And share your knowledge and ideas with your family, friends, and neighbors.

EcoSmart Aspect in private residence

The cold season finally got us here in Southern California. Shortly, there will be a fire burning bright in every family room, adding warm and cozy ambiance to our season’s spirit.

I have spotted recently a very cool (and eco-friendly) alternative to a traditional wood burning or gas fireplace: the EcoSmart fireplace line by Australian manufacturer The Fire Company. Those innovative, open, environmentally friendly fireplaces are fueled by denaturated ethanol (alcohol) and don’t require any utility connection for fuel supply. Denaturated ethanol burns clean, resulting in emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and steam (H2O). That’s why the fireplace does not require flue for ventilation. You can choose between freestanding portable pieces, in-wall or outdoor weather-resistant products. Stainless steel, fiberglass, glass, leather, different color options, and many shapes and sizes are definitely a big design advantage, in addition to the green aspect.

EcoSmart Fires are not only beautiful, but their thermal input is 14 Mj/h – 13,000 BTU – 3.5 Kw/h – which is equivalent to 2 electric heaters, able to heat up to over 350 sq ft of living space. One 1-1⁄4 gallon (5 liters) of fuel would last from 7 hours on the maximum setting up to 20 hours on the minimum setting.

Countless design awards are a proof of this product line’s superiority in almost every aspect of green design. I hope I will soon report a successful installation of one of the EcoSmart fireplaces.

Everyone is talking about VOCs and non-toxic paints, but what exactly does it mean? How can you be sure that your next paint project will be safe and healthy for  you and other inhabitants of the space you’ve just made pretty?

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature , causing (according to the EPA) headaches, nausea, allergic skin reaction, upper respiratory irritation, and even organ damage and cancer. Paints, stains and varnishes release low level toxic emissions into the air well after paint is dry. The levels of VOCs in indoor air average 2 to 5 times higher than outdoors.

When shopping for paint, it makes sense to choose the type containing low levels or no VOCs at all. Even though many paint manufacturers offer low VOC (maximum 50 g/l) or zero VOC (less than 5 g/l) products, the choice between paint performance, price point, and green aspect is rather tough. The adding of pigment to the paint base at the paint store can add 2-5 g/l of VOC. Lowering VOC levels can affect other “green” aspects of paint, like coverage and addition of other synthetic materials for flow control and settling.

Fortunately, there are some fail-safe options for buying low VOC paints. One of them is to go with the larger paint company. Benjamin Moore, Dunn-Edwards, and Sherwin Williams all have low or zero VOC type paint lines. At Bozena Studio, we usually recommend Benjamin Moore Aura paint (great coverage, low VOC) and Natura (zero VOC – according to manufacturer remains zero VOC even after tinting, which means it’s virtually odorless regardless of color).

You can also use more expensive and less readily available non-toxic or natural paints, mostly manufactured by alternative paint companies. Their ingredients are all natural and include among others plant oils and dyes, natural minerals, milk protein, etc. Some manufacturers include Bio Shield, Livos, FreshAire, Yolo Colorhouse, and many more. The bottom line: look for the paint cans that display the Green Seal mark (it certifies that they meet at least the GS-11 Standard for Low VOC content).

Here are some additional suggestions to minimize exposure to VOCs in paints: provide good ventilation during and right after painting, buy paint with a great coverage to bring the number of coats to a minimum, use the right equipment (don’t forget the mask), read labels, and take special care of children and pets.

What a foolish question! Of course my house is healthy. My family lives in it, we are all in perfect health, so my home must be healthy. Or is it?
How do we know for sure that the place we spend our time in, we sleep in, have fun in, is completely safe for our health, physical as well as psychological? Can you be sure that the puzzling allergies and illnesses, which our family members and friends are getting, are not caused by something they have been exposed at their safe haven, home?

As an interior designer, I have been trained to design breathtaking and comfortable spaces to work and live in. But the experience gained during the many years of practicing interior design thought me about the importance of the health aspect of our surroundings. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, our rooms must be safe to spend the time in. And safety means not only non-slippery floors and rounded corners. Safety is also indoor air free of toxins and allergens. It is a promise that after spending a night in our bedroom we will wake up rested and refreshed. It is a guarantee of a wonderful time at our house with family and friends today and even more promising tomorrow.

There are many sciences dealing with the aspect of safeguarding of the health and well-being of the occupants of any created space. All of them are very important to the health of our interiors, and a good architect or interior designer should consult them and incorporate in their projects.We as consumers need to require the use of sustainable materials to minimize the harmful impact made on the Earth. This by itself will not only improve the healthy aspect of the products that surround us, but also give us a peace of mind.