(NC)-Summer is here. This is the season when people go to the cottage to unwind and relax in the pleasures of nature. Making your cottage as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible is a great way to help ensure you can enjoy the great outdoors for years to come. Here are a few ways to make your experience at the cottage more environmentally friendly:
Building with FSC
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an internationally recognized organization that ensures that the wood you buy comes from sustainable, managed forests that have been logged in a responsible manner. By using wood that is certified by the FSC standard, you can ensure that the living forest will be preserved and maintained without hazardous pesticides and genetically modified trees.
Water Filtration System
The use of water-filtration systems at the cottage can be a great way to avoid using bottled water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the use of a purification system can sterilize 99.99% of all harmful organic materials without the use of any chemical agents. A water filtration system can be an effective way to purify your water while helping to keep chemicals out of lakes and rivers.
Light Ideas
Replacing incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lights (CFL) has become a standard practice in many homes. Why not do the same for your cottage? According to the Office of Energy Efficiency, by switching to compact fluorescent bulbs, you can expect to use two-thirds less energy than conventional incandescent lights.
There are many lighting options for your cottage; solar powered light-emitting-diode (LED) bulbs are a popular choice. They can be used in both indoor and outdoor environments and will reduce the amount of electricity your lighting consumes. The use of solar power will not only reduce the number of batteries and chemical pollutants you discharge, but it will also save you money on your electricity bills.
Did You Know?
The CIBC Enviro-Saver mortgage is a product that offers customers the ability to address energy and environmental savings at the cottage. With the CIBC Enviro-Saver mortgage, customers will receive a certificate for up to $300 on a home energy audit and $2,500 in energy savings coupons.
"Conducting an energy audit on your cottage is a great way to ensure that it is energy efficient and environmentally sound. You may be able to save hundreds of dollars on your electricity bill without having to complete any major renovations" says Vikram Seth, a CIBC mortgage specialist.
More information on this topic is available at your nearest CIBC branch, toll-free at 1 800 465-CIBC (2422) or online at www.cibc.com/mortgages.
- News Canada