CMS Web Solutions

CMS Web Solutions, an award winning technology and marketing company has been in business for more than six years specializing in web design.

A few years ago at CMS Web Solutions, we began reading articles and books about what was happening to the planet. In 2005, we became aware of a company called Bullfrog Power. They provided power generated by wind and non-impact hydro electric. We thought it was the right thing to do and signed up with them.

Although the cost was a bit more, it forced us to consciously look at our electricity consumption and find ways of reducing it.  Over the years we changed our light bulbs, put in dimmer switches, and started using LED Christmas lights. We even moved our business to the basement. We put in larger windows that created a wonderful space. By working downstairs, we no longer needed air conditioning, saving further electricity charges. The large window shines in the warm light during the winter. Since signing with Bullfrog Power we have saved in footprint and systems reductions:

10.5 CO₂ (tonnes)
13.4 NO_x (kg)
30.1 SO₂ (kg)

In 2007, we attended the Green Living Show in Toronto where we heard Al Gore speak. We came to the conclusion that we could no longer wait for government to make the changes for us. If we were to make a difference, we needed to do more. At the show we came across a company called EnWise that would do an energy audit and make recommendations for reducing our energy consumption. After the audit they recommended we replace our furnace and insulate the attic. A government rebate program helped us saved over a thousand dollars in installation costs. Our monthly heating bill was reduced by over 35%, not to mention further reductions in greenhouse gases (GHG).

Next we moved onto reducing our water consumption. We no longer use an outside tap. Instead we have 2 rain barrels which we use to water the garden. Inside the house we replaced our toilets with dual flush models and put in a low flow shower head that still blasts plenty of water. We reduced our water consumption by 30%, a considerable savings in water and dollars!  Our water consumption dropped so dramatically that the Durham Region Water Department called to confirm the water meter reading and asking us what we had done.

We’ve also focussed on waste reduction. We buy our meat from a local butcher and at the grocery store we stick to the outside aisles.  Not only do we eat fresher and healthier, we’ve reduce the amount of packaging waste. We use cloth bags and have reduced our plastic bag usage (though it took some time to get into the habit).

We purchased a dual sided printer and reduced our paper consumption. We all recycle in the office and have reduced our non-recyclable waste considerably.

The end result over the years has been amazing. Not only are we been reducing our footprint and saving money, we have slowly developed new habits. Reducing our footprint has become very natural to us. We now have “different eyes" so to speak and see areas of saving which hadn’t been as obvious before. Although we’re more tree caressers than tree huggers, we are happy with the path we are travelling and feel better about the legacy we are leaving. Many others have noticed what we are doing and have made some changes themselves. It’s an incredibly wonderful feeling.  

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