Turning green — Eco-friendly tips for your home and office

You'll see an interior that's different than the typical dimly lit, boxed-in-by-cubicles office space. It's bright and organized, and it has the air of being Earth-conscious and employee-friendly.

Three years ago, MHTN began a project to make its office, 425 E. South Temple, more green. Too-tall cubicles were replaced with shorter versions that don't block light from the windows. The breakroom now has a dishwasher so employees don't waste paper plates and plastic cups. Old lighting fixtures were replaced by more energy-efficient models that can turn off automatically.

Beyond the obvious desire to go green, the main goal of this renovation was to make MHTN a place where clients could see firsthand what an eco-friendly building looked like, said Myron Willson, director of sustainable design for MHTN.

He believes more and more Utahns are interested in "going green" but thinks the state is behind the rest of the nation in terms of sustainable building. Some professionals believe it's because of a continued lack of awareness and the cost-prohibitive nature of some green upgrades. Plus, going green can be a little boring, according to Willson, a LEED Accredited Professional, or "expert" in the green building certification program known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

"It's like eating your veggies," he said. "You know it's good for you, but it's not as fun as eating a chocolate sundae."

In other words, going green is not all about putting in bamboo flooring and using other exotic but renewable materials. It's about saving energy, reducing consumption and creating a healthier living or workspace, according to Willson.

So how can a home or business owner go green and, as a secondary goal, not break the bank? Start by looking at your energy use, said Meghan Golden, program manager for Build Green Utah, which does green certifications and education for building professionals.

With a new structure, that means looking at how tightly constructed your building is, according to Golden. Can air escape? What about the type of heating or water system you'll be using? Earlier this year, the New Building Institute released a study showing LEED buildings certified through 2006 were more energy efficient than 68 percent of buildings of a similar structure.

With an existing home, owners can install low-flow showerheads or toilets. Washing clothes on cold decreases energy use and so does unplugging appliances that can zap energy, even though they're "off," said Golden.

"It all starts with simple things like looking at your habits and looking at what you can reduce," she said.

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