Vermont a leader in green living

With an expanse of idyllic forests throughout much of the state, it's no surprise that Vermont is one of the leading states in environmentally-friendly practices. The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that they continued that tradition earlier this year when they became the first state in the country to declare their hydroelectric facilities as a renewable source of energy.

The Green Mountain State has certainly taken other steps toward treading lightly on the environment. Along with having a bottle recycling law for nearly 40 years, the news outlet reports that the University of Vermont student center was the first in the country to be certified gold in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Additionally, homes in Vermont feature a number of green elements, including geothermal wells, battery operated lawn mowers and insulating window shades.

Homeowners looking for a way to reduce their energy bills and help protect the environment may want to consider installing honeycomb cellular shades. Along with providing a beautiful aesthetic, honeycomb cellular shades also effectively keep rooms cool during the summer months, reducing the amount of time the air conditioner needs to spend running. They help in the winter, too as they can keep warm air from escaping.