The cottage is where Canadians retreat to spend time with loved ones. Going green is just another way you can enjoy your time at the cottage by saving money and protecting the environment. With the help of some great environmentally-friendly alternatives, you will be well on your way to a greener life in no time.
Indoor lighting
LED lights are great to start with. They use quite a bit less electricity than incandescent bulbs so they lower hydro bills. LEDs also produce less heat so they are always cool to the touch, pretty much indestructible, and are one of the more environmentally-friendly bulbs on the market. In most packaging, you will see the equivalent of 60 incandescent watts to your LED watts.
Outdoor lighting
The best thing about solar lighting is that it is renewable energy and produces no harmful emissions. Even on cloudy days, there’s still a little bit of solar energy coming through for the panels to soak up. Solar railing lights can be installed in seconds and have 8 hours of run time. They turn on at dusk and shut off automatically so you don’t have to worry about checking on them.
Plastic solar post caps also light up automatically and are designed to fit on a 4×4’ post. They give off a warm light and have 8 hours of run time. The post caps are also equipped with back up rechargeable batteries for added time. Metal post caps fit on a 6×6’ post but come with an adapter so they can also sit on 4×4’s. For chain link fences, round post caps are recommended. They fit on garden gates and corner posts as well.
Major Appliances
If you’re looking for an energy-efficient stove, off-grid propane ranges offer the same features as a traditional range but don’t take electricity. Propane fridges have direct vents and carbon dioxide alarming devices with safety shut-offs. Dual-power fridges provide the best of both worlds as they run on both electricity and propane. This is the best solution to stay prepared – if one goes out, you have a backup.
Cooktops
The Kuraidori Induction Cooker is an energy-efficient cooktop. It uses induction heat so the cooking surface always stays cool to the touch and will even shut itself down if there’s no cookware on top. This makes it very safe to use around children. The cooker also makes a good warming plate and is perfect to take camping or travelling.
Chemical-free cleaning products
Activox Siding Plus Cleaner is 100% biodegradable and nontoxic. It doesn’t contain any acid, phosphate, and chlorine bleach. The neat part about Activox is that it unleashes the power of oxygen to help remove algae, mold, mildew, and most common stains. It’s not just for siding – it can be used on RVs, patio furniture, and boats. Best of all, it is very safe on the environment. Activox breaks down into oxygen and water after the cleaning action is complete so it’s totally safe to use around your pool or even on your dock.
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