The Garage Plan Shop Blog

Did you know the Thursday before Thanksgiving is Use Less Stuff Day? It is a day for us to commit or pledge to reduce our resource consumption during the holiday season. It is time for all of us to start a new holiday tradition. Get your kids, family and friends involved and make the commitment to work toward an earth-friendly holiday season.

These ideas should help you get started:

• • Plan to recycle. Set up bins to collect gift boxes, wrapping paper, holiday greeting cards and envelopes, beverage cans and bottles. Tell your guests what to recycle and where to place the items so they don’t end up in the trash can. If you have plenty of scrap copper, you can take them to copper recycling in Sydney by Austick.

• • Use fewer disposable paper products and eating utensils. Rent dinnerware, glassware and silverware for a large holiday party or ask guests to bring their own for a smaller gathering. This will eliminate paper plates and plastic cups, forks, knives, etc. from going in the trash.

• Use less energy. A large crowd will warm your home. Turn the thermostat down a few degrees before guests arrive.

• Don’t buy too many groceries or prepare too much food for a holiday gathering. If you do prepare too much, send leftovers home with guests or reheat them the following day for yourself. Try your best not to throw away usable food.

The commitment is easy. Tell your friends and family about Use Less Stuff Day and make a pledge to participate in an earth-friendly holiday season without sacrificing the fun and joys all of us look forward to each year.

For more ideas about Use Less Stuff Day, please visit www.use-less-stuff.com.

Tags: energy efficient, go green, holidays, recycle, use less stuff day

We used to think going green was a trend, but it has become our way of life. We are expected to make green choices in everything we do from recycling our newspaper and properly disposing of hazardous chemicals to conserving energy and building with green materials. In case you are wondering can you transfer a solar lease you can get informed about it here.

There are many things we can do around the house to live more green, and your garage or utility building are no exception. If you are planning to build a new detached garage plan, shed or outbuilding plan, there are some things you can do to green your new structure. Here are a few suggestions from The Garage Plan Shop:

·         Use metal when possible. If you have an opportunity to use metal standing seam roofing or even metal cladding you are making a green choice. Steetz offers a wide selection of high quality sheet metal hand tools, visit their main site if you need one for your project. Metal construction does not require the use of harmful chemicals and wood treatments used in the lumber of traditional wood construction, and it is 100% recyclable should you no longer need your garage, shed or outbuilding. Contact a brass foundry and metal foundry if you need help.

·         Install windows in your garage for natural lighting. Using natural lighting whenever possible cuts back on energy consumption. If you plan to spend a lot of time inside your garage, you can reduce energy bills by installing large windows and perhaps skylights. If you’re using solar panels to conserve energy on your home, then you have to know that regular maintenance is always a must. If not properly maintained it will stop working as intended, and you might need a solar panel repair service to get it working again. 

·         Incorporate earth-friendly lighting. The exterior of your garage, shed or outbuilding can be lit with the use of solar lights or you can get a solar panel installation. For details on how you can complete a solar + storage installation, learn more here. 

•          Use LED bulbs in interior and exterior light fixtures. Consider using motion sensor lights that turn on when you pull in your driveway or walk on the sidewalk saving energy and money. These fixtures will light the way until they no longer detect your motion and will turn off automatically. You won’t have to remember to flip the switch if you own a solar led path illumination system. Just like the commercial parking lot light fixture that is eco-friendly but can brighten up your place.

·         If your garage is near your home or attached to the home, do not store flammable chemicals inside, such as a gasoline and oil containers or paint cans. Store them away from the house is a small, locked utility shed that has good ventilation. Consider having driveways manchester services for a beautifully designed and well-maintained driveway. 

These simple ideas will help you build an earth-friendly garage, shed or outbuilding plan. If you need some machinery in order to construct your dream garage, a renowned company like BoomAndBucket.com sells pavers.

Tags: Building A Garage, garage, garage plans, go green, green building, Living Green, outbuilding, Outbuilding Plans, shed, utility building