Urban Homesteader

We are a small family living in a typical suburban home built in the 1970s. In our quest to live more simply and sustainably, here are the “green” steps we’ve taken:

Bought a hybrid automobile. 

Replaced some of our old appliances with energy-efficient models:

• Refrigerator
• Stove
• Dishwasher
• Microwave/hood

Made the following heating/cooling improvements:

• Added additional insulation in attic, in garage ceiling, and in exterior overhangs
• Replaced the old aluminum windows with energy-efficient, Low E glass windows
• Replaced the old storm door with an energy-efficient insulated storm door
• Installed an energy-efficient evaporative cooler 

Changed computer settings to ‘hibernate’ to save energy when not in use.

Replaced a kitchen ceiling light with a combination ceiling fan/halogen light.

Replaced incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs wherever possible.

Replaced the old carpeted floor in the office with sustainable bamboo flooring. (Installed insulation in a previously unknown drafty floor gap during this process.)

Planted a fruit-bearing currant bush in the front yard instead of a purely ornamental plant.

Took steps to reduce our junk mail.

Got a multi-use recycling bin from our trash company (cost: $42) and reduced our trash by an average of 50% per week.

Disposed of toxic chemicals and waste responsibly.

Take reusable grocery bags to our grocery store, and pocket 5 cents for each bag saved.

Try to cook from scratch and buy organic & local food whenever possible.

Compost our kitchen scraps and yard clippings.

Are working to reclaim an old garden in the back yard that was full of scraggly juniper bushes and weeds; we are slowly amending the soil with organic matter, and although our past gardening efforts have been disappointing we hope to grow herbs and vegetables in the summer of 2008.