Copyright

Copyright©2009FilipacchiPublishing,adivisionofHachetteFilipacchiMediaU.S.,Inc.

Firstpublishedin2009intheUnitedStatesofAmericabyFilipacchiPublishing

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FirsteBookEdition:February2010

ISBN:978-1-933231-82-2

Contents

CopyrightForeword

Chapter1:CreatingaGreenHomeWhyGoGreen?WhatIsaGreenHome?

Chapter2:GroundworkUnderstandingandInfluencingYourSurroundingsEnvironmentalInspectionandSitePreparationShapingYourYard

Chapter3:CreatinganEfficient,Eco-FriendlyBuildingStructureStartingFreshorStartingFromScratchEarthMasonryandOtherAlternativeGreenConstructionMethodsEco-FriendlyFrameConstruction

Chapter4:LivingHealthilyandEnergy-EfficientlyHarvestingandSavingEnergyHeating,VentilationandAirConditioningWaterConservation,FiltrationandHeatingHouseholdAppliancesandElectronicsLighting

Chapter5:What’sInside?InteriorWallandCeilingSurfacesCabinetsandCountersFlooring

Chapter6:Eco-FriendlyFurnitureandAccentsWhatIsSustainableDesign?WoodFurnishingsandCaseGoodsUpholsteredFurniture,TextilesandSoftFurnishingsMattressesandBedding

Chapter7:GreenandCleanCleaningProductsRecyclingandCompostingVentilatingandCleaningIndoorAir

AcknowledgmentsPhotoCredits

FOREWORD

In1983,myfamilyandIbuiltavacationhomeinthePoconoMountainswithmaterialsalvagedfromabuildingmyfatherdemolishedinPhiladelphia.Massivewoodbeams,reclaimedframinglumber,steel,evennailswerereusedandreconfiguredtomakewhatIthinkofasourfirst“sustainable”building,thoughwedidn’tthinkofitassuchatthetime.

Thiswasanimportantlessontolearnasafirst-yeararchitecturestudent.Theessenceoflivingandbuilding“green,”forus,hasalwaysbeenaboutlivingandbuildingthoughtfully,creatively,efficientlyandsensibly.Wehavenever

considered“green”livingasanalternativelifestyleorourbuildingsasnoveltyproducts.Wethinkofthemascommonplaceandcommonsense.Consideringtheimpactofglobalwarmingonourplanet,thefluctuationinnonrenewablefuelcosts,theimpactofthewarsfoughttoprotectthosenonrenewableresourcesandnationalsecuritythreatsasaresultofsuchwars,onebeginstowonderifwehaveforgottenthemeaningofcommonsense.ThequestionisnotWhatisthecostof“livinggreen”?,butratherWhatisthecostoflivingotherwise?

Mybrothers,alifelongfriendandIrunasmallandenergeticdevelopment,designandconstructioncompanyinPhiladelphiaandhave,since1997,workedandlivedbythefundamentalpreceptthat“green”designisfirstandmostimportantl“great”design,andthatgreatdesigndoesnothavetocostmorethanpoordesign.Poordesignissimplydesignthatdoesn’trespondappropriatelytoone’senvironment—wethinkofitas“ir-responsible.”Ontheotherhand,“response-ability”indesignmightsimplyinvolveorientingabuildingrespectfullyandeffectivelyonitssite,orthoughtfullybringingnaturallightandventilationintoaroom,orputtingagardenonone’sroof(wecallita“groof”)toreduceheating/coolingloadsandstorm-waterrunoffanddoubletheoutdoorgardenspaceofthesite.Itcouldalsomeanplantinglow-maintenance,drought-tolerantandnativeplantsaroundyourhome,orheatingafloorsurface(andthereforeyourbody)ratherthanavolumeofspace(andthereforeyourhead).Itcouldbeassimpleasusingpaintsandsealantsthatdon’tcontainharmfulchemicalsorworkingwithmaterialsandpeoplethatarelocal,oritcouldinvolvelong-termapproaches,suchascollectingrainwaterandreusingittoirrigateyourlawn,orgeneratingheatandpowerfromthesunforfreeratherthanpayingforitfromacoalburningutilitycompany.Theseallseemlikeintelligent,rational,cost-effectiveand“natural”waysofbeing,thinkinganddesigning,don’tthey?

Forarchitects,thesekindsofideasarewovenintothefabricofwhatwedoonadailybasis.Butfortherestoftheworld,sortingthroughtheever-evolvingwaysinwhichonechoosestoliveagreenerlifecanbechallengingatbest.Soaclearlyorganized,informedbooksuchasGreenLivingbyDesignhelpsusbridgethegapsinthewayswecommunicate,enrichingthedialoguenotonlyamongourselvesasdesigners,butalsowithourclients.

WhenmybrotherMikeaskedustodesigntheMargaridoHouseinOakland,California,heandhiswifewantedahomethatwouldfulfilltheneedsoftheirgrowingfamilyforyearstocome.Theywantedahomethatwouldinspirethemandtheirchildreneveryday,onethatwouldmakethemconsciousoftheirconnectionwiththenaturalworldratherthantheirstrugglewithit.Theyalso

connectionwiththenaturalworldratherthantheirstrugglewithit.Theyalsowantedtheirhometobeamodelofsustainablelivingforothers,inspiringthemtoeducatethemselvesonthechoicestheyhaveincreatingahealthyhome.Partsofthehomewecreatedforthemappearinthepagesofthisbook,whichwebelievewillhelptomakesustainablewaysofdesigningandlivingascommonplaceandaccessibleastheyareinspiring.

Ilookforwardtothedaywhen“green”isnotthenew“black,”asithasbeensooftendescribedlately,butrathertheold“blue,”triedandtrue.AndGreenLivingbyDesignwillsurelyserveasahelpfulguidetothatend.Logicallyorganizedandeasytounderstand,itisanexcellentprimerontheessentialsoflivingsustainably.Wetrusttheideasinitspageswillopenmanynew“green”doorsforthereader,which,onceentered,willbeimpossibletoexit.

TimothyMcDonaldPrincipalofOnionFlats/Plumbob,LLC,ArchitectofRecordfortheMargaridoHouseinOakland,thefirstLEED-HPlatinumcustomhomeinNorthernCalifornia

CreatingaGreenHome

Ratherthanrazingthishouse,architectJosephEisneradapteditwithinitsoriginalfootprint,addingnewenergy-efficientwindowsanddoors.

WHYGOGREEN?

Therearesomanybenefitstolivinginagreenhome,andmoreandmoreAmericansarechoosingtotakeadvantageofthem.Livinginagreenhomeisgoodforyourhealth.It’sgoodforyourpocketbook—taxincentivesandenergysavingscanmakebuildingandlivinginanewgreenhomeorgreeninganexistinghomelesscostlythanbuildingandlivinginastandardhouse.And,ofcourse,it’sgoodfortheplanet.Accordingtoarecentstudy,greenhomesareexpectedtomakeup10percentofnewhomeconstructionby2010,upfrom2percentin2005.Considerthesespecificbenefits:

Leavingaportionoftheroofopenonanenclosedterracesurroundedbyefficientwindowsandfinishedwithnaturalmaterialsliterallybringstheoutdoorsin.

GreenHomesAreHealthier

•Naturalventilationaswellastheuseofmechanicalventilationsystems—whichbringinandfilterfreshairandventoutstaleair—keepindoorairclean.

•Theuseoftoxin-freematerialsandfinishesorthosewithlowtoxicitylimitsindoorairpollution,whichcanbemoreharmfulthanoutdoorpollution.

•Abundantnaturallightboostsyourmoodandisvitaltoindoorplants,whicharenaturalairdetoxifiers.

•Somegreenmaterialsandhomeproductsresistmoldandmildeworareantimicrobial.

GreenHomesAreCostEfficient

GreenHomesAreCostEfficient

•Onamonth-to-monthbasis,peoplewholiveingreenhomessavemoneybyusinglessenergyandlesswaterthanthosewholiveinstandardhomes.

•Agreenhomecanbemoredurablethanmoststandardhomesthankstohigh-qualitybuildingmaterialsandconstructionprocesses,whichleadtolowermaintenancecostsandfewerrepairs.

•Thevalueofagreenhomeisoftenhigherthanthatofacomparablestandardhome,particularlybecausethemarketdemandforgreenhomesisontherise.Somegreenapartmentbuildings,forexample,bringinrents10to15percenthigherthanmarketrates,andsomeLEED-certifiedhomesingreendevelopmentshaveoutsoldthecompetition2to1.

•Local,stateandfederalgovernmentsaswellasutilitiesarebeginningtooffertaxbreaksandotherincentivesforbuildingcertifiedgreenhomesoraddinggreenfeaturestoyourhome,aslongastheymeetacceptedgreenguidelines(ofwhichtherearemany).

•Inthenearfuture,greenhomeswilllikelycostlesstoinsurethanstandardhomes.Moreinsurancecompaniesareofferingdiscountsonpoliciesforgreenhomes.Bythesametoken,numerousmortgagecompaniesofferdiscountedloanratesforhomebuyersbuyinggreenhomes.

High-performancewindowsandcedarshinglescombinecharacterwithenvironmentalconsciousness.

Oneapproachtocreatingeco-friendlyinteriorsistousearchitecturalsalvageasart,asdesignerJanieHirschdidinthiscompacthomeofficespace.

GreenHomesAreEasyontheEarth

•Greenhomescanuseupto40lessenergythansimilarstandardhomes.Someexpertssuggestthatfuturegreenhomescouldevenbedesignedtoproducemoreenergythantheyconsume,throughenergyharvestingdevicessuchassolarpanelsorwindturbines.

•Drought-tolerantlandscaping,efficientplumbingandbathingfixtures,andwater-conservationsystemsenablegreenhomestouselesswaterthanstandardhomes.

•Fewernonrenewablenaturalresourcesareusedtoconstructagreenhome.

•Fewernonrenewablenaturalresourcesareusedtoconstructagreenhome.Manygreenbuildingmaterialsaremadewithrecycledcontent.Salvagedmaterialsfromdemolishedbuildingsarealsooftenusedingreenhomes,asarematerialsmadefromrapidlyrenewablematerials,suchasbamboo,hempandsoybean-basedproducts.Inaddition,theuseofspeciallycertifiedwoodshelpspromotesociallyandenvironmentallybeneficialforestrypractices.

•Theconstructionofanewstandard2,500-square-foothomegeneratesapproximately2tonsofconstructionwastethattypicallyendsupinlandfills.Asaresultofrecyclingpractices,greenhomeconstructionreduceswaste.

Energy-efficientlightfixturesandnaturallightstreamingthroughamplewindowsprovideeco-friendlyilluminationinabathroomdesignedbyarchitectJosephEisner.

Naturallightflowsfreelythroughastaircase,minimizingtheneedforartificialillumination.

IncentivesMakeItEasytoBeGreenNotsolongago,professionalsknowledgeableaboutgreendesignandgreenbuildingproductsweren’tascommonplaceastheyaretoday,sotheupfrontcostsofbuildingagreenhomewereatapremium.Butwithincreasinginterestinandgrowingdemandforgreendesign,thecostofowningagreenhomecanbecomparableto—orsometimesevencheaperthan—owningastandardhome,especiallywhenyoufactorintheupfrontgreenbuildingtaxbreaksandincentives,andlong-termenergysavings.Formoreinformationonthemanylocalandstategovernments,utilitycompaniesandotherentitiesthatofferrebates,taxbreaksandotherincentivesinyourarea,visitthesewebsites:

•energy.gov/taxbreaks.htmAsaresultoftheEnergyPolicyActof2005,theU.S.governmentoffersvarioustaxbreaksandincentivesforefficiencyupgradestohomes.

•dsireusa.orgTheDatabaseofStateIncentivesforRenewables&EfficiencyisanonprofitprojectfundedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergythroughtheNorthCarolinaSolarCenterandtheInterstateRenewableEnergyCouncil.Itprovidesinformationonlocal,state,federalandutilityincentivesavailableforswitchingtorenewableorefficientenergy.

•epa.gov/greenbuilding/tools/funding.htmTheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency’ssiteoffersinformationonmanyofthesourcesoffundingforgreenbuildingavailableatthenational,stateandlocallevelsforhomeowners,industry,governmentorganizationsandnonprofitsintheformofgrants,taxcredits,loansandothersources.

•energystar.gov/taxcreditsTheU.S.government’ssiteforitsEnergyStarprogramprovidesinsightonhowconsumers,homebuildersandotherscangetfederaltaxcreditsforusingenergy-efficientproducts.

•www.usgbc.org/PublicPolicy/SearchPublicPolicies.aspx?PageID=1776ThislinkwithintheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil’ssitewillhelpyoufindlocalincentivesforbuildingLEED-certifiedbuildings,includinghomes.(LEEDstandsforLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign,whichwasdevelopedbytheUSGBCanddefinescriteriaforgreendesign.Itisgenerallyconsideredthegoldstandardbywhichenvironmentaldesignisjudged.)

Beautiful,energy-efficientwindowsaddcharmandfunction.

Eco-friendlysilktextilesfromLulanenhanceabedwithbeautyandsustainability.

WHATISAGREENHOME?

Withincreasingpublicdemandforenvironmentallyconsciousproducts,mostbuildersandbuildingproductandfurnituremanufacturersarenowcultivatingandpromotingvariousgreendesign,productionorrecyclingpracticesandprogramsfortheirgoodsandservices.Whiletherearemanydifferentopinionsonwhatconstitutesagreenhome,severalnational,regionalandlocalgreenhomecertificationprogramsexistthathelptodefineminimumgreenbuildingstandards,andmostofthemaimtoaccomplishthesameessentialgoals.Ingeneral,theguidelinesofmostbuilding-relatedorganizationsandgovernmentagenciesaimtobuildnewhomesthatminimizeenvironmentalimpactbywastingfewerresourcesduringsitepreparationandconstruction,recyclingandconservingwaterandmaterials,reducingcarbonbuildup,usingsustainableandnontoxicmaterialsandfinisheswheneverpossible,ensuringgoodindoorairqualityandcreatingstructuresthatareatleast15percentmoreenergyefficientthanthosebuiltwithstandardconstructionpractices.

Amongthemostwell-knownprovidersofgreenbuildingstandardsaretheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyandtheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy,whosejointEnergyStarandWaterSenseprogramsaimtohelpconsumerssavemoneyandprotecttheenvironmentthroughenergy-efficientproductsandconservationpractices.In2007,theEnergyStarprogramwascreditedwithhelpingAmericanscuttheequivalentof27millioncarsworthofgreenhousegasemissionsandtrimtheirutilitybillsaboutonethird,savingthematotalofabout$16billion,or$200to$300perhousehold.TheprogramawardsanenergyStarratingtonewhomesandappliancesthatmeetstrictenergy-efficiencyguidelinessetbytheEPAandtheDOE.AprimaryrequirementfornewhomestoearnanEnergyStarratingisthattheybeatleast15percentmoreefficientthanhomesbuilttothe2004residentialcode.

AnewhomedesignedbyarchitectJosephEisnerwassitedtomaximizedaylightandconserveenergy.

GreenGuidelinesFormoreinformationonvariousnational,regionalandlocalgreenbuildingprograms,visitthesesites:

•energystar.gov;epa.govForinformationonthefederalgovernment’sEnergyStarandWaterSenseprograms

•nahb.orgFortheNationalAssociationofHomeBuilders’greenbuildingcertificationandguidelinesforitsmembers

•usgbc.orgFortheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil’sLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)program’sgreenresidentialcertificationstandards

•earthcrafthouse.comForthegreenguidelinesofEarthCraftHouse,aresidentialgreenbuildingprogramoftheGreaterAtlantaHomeBuildersAssociationinpartnershipwithSouthface,anonprofitcorporationthatprovidesenvironmentaleducationandoutreachprograms

•earthadvantage.comForguidelinesfromEarthAdvantage,anonprofitorganizationofferingtheNorthwestregion’spremiergreenbuildingprogram

•builditgreen.orgFortheguidelinesofBuildItGreen,anonprofitmembershiporganizationthatpromoteshealthy,energy-andresource-efficientbuildingpracticesinCalifornia

•environmentsforliving.comForinformationontheEnvironmentsforLivingCertifiedGreenprogram,developedbytheMascoCorporation,oneoftheworld’slargestmanufacturersofbrand-nameconsumerproductsforthehome.Itisaprescriptiveprogramdesignedtobecomplementarywith“checklist”greenbuildingprograms,bothnationalandlocal.Theprogramincorporatestheprincipalsofbuildingscience.

•eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_americaForresearchconductedbyBuildingAmerica,aprivate/publicpartnershipsponsoredbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy.Itconductssystemsengineeringresearchtofindenergy-efficientsolutionsfornewandexistinghousingconstructedonaproductionbasis.BuildingAmericaunitesindependentsegmentsofthebuildingindustrywithteamsofarchitects,engineers,builders,equipmentmanufacturers,materialsuppliers,communityplanners,mortgagelendersandcontractors.

•healthhouse.orgForguidelinesrecommendedbyHealthHouse,aprogramoftheAmericanLungAssociationthataimstoencouragehomeconstructionthatmeetsthemoststringentbuildingstandardsintheU.S.andincludessiteinspectionsduringconstructionandperformancetestinguponcompletion.

•greenhomeguide.orgForinformationonguidelinesforgreenpracticesforrenovationandremodelingofexistinghomesdevelopedbytheAmericanSocietyofInteriorDesignersinpartnershipwiththeU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil.Thesitealsooffersinformationonmorethan70otherregionalandlocalgreenbuildinghomeprogramsthroughouttheU.S.

TheEnergyStarprogramalsoincludesguidelinesforindoorairquality.HomesthatreceiveanEnergyStarIndoorAirPackagelabelhavemetmorethan60requirementsfordesignandconstructionfeaturesthatcontrolchemicalexposure,radon,moisture,pestsandventilation.TheEnergyStarratingssystemsarethemostpopularintheU.S.,withmorethan700,000homes

systemsarethemostpopularintheU.S.,withmorethan700,000homescertifiedsince2003.Ifyouwanttomakeimprovementstoyourhome,theEPAalsoofferstoolsandresourcestohelpyouplanandundertakeprojectstoreduceyourenergybillsandimproveyourcomfort.

Twoothernationalnonprofitorganizations,theNationalAssociationofHomeBuildersandtheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil,alsoofferguidelinesandcertificationprogramsforgreendesign.TheNAHB,whichclaims235,000memberswhoareresponsibleforbuildingabout80percentofthecountry’snewhomeseveryyear,introduceditsvoluntaryModelGreenHomeGuidelinesin2005.In2008,italsocreatedanationalGreenBuildingProgram,whichprovidesthreelevelsofcertificationandisaccreditedbytheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute.Atthesametime,itintroduceditsnewCertifiedGreenProfessionaleducationaldesignationforhomebuildersandotherindustryprofessionals.

TheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil,anorganizationofmorethan14,000companies,publicagencies,universities,architects,builders,engineersandenvironmentalgroups,isthelargestindependentorganizationservingthebuildingindustryandiswidelyregardedastheprimaryauthorityongreenbuildinganddesign.ItsLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)program,longrecognizedforitsgreenbuildingratingsystemforcommercialarchitecture,nowalsooffersaratingsystemforresidentialgreendesigncertificationatthreedifferentlevels:platinum,goldandsilver.Officiallyreleasedattheendof2007andknownasLEED-H,theUSGBC’sgreenhomeratingsystemisdesignedtoaddresssingle-familyandmulti-familylow-risehomes.Forhigh-riseresidentialbuildings,thesystemisknownasLEED-NC(LEEDfornewconstruction),whichwasintroducedin2000.ThesystemsaresimilartothatoftheNAHB,butmorestringent.

Interiordoorsallowairandnaturallighttopermeateasecond-floorroominahomeconstructedwitheco-friendlymaterialsanddesignedbyWesketchArchitecture.

Certifiedwoodframing,cedarroofingandamixofeco-friendlysidingmaterialscombinecurbappealwithsustainabilityinthishomebyWesketchArchitecture.

Woodfurnitureandwallpanelsmadeofreclaimedwoodgiveoldmaterialsnewlifeinathoroughlymodernsetting.Low-VOCstainunifiesthewoodelements.

ForanewhometogetLEED-Hcertification,18prerequisitesaswellasaminimumnumberofpointsfromfourofeightcategoriesmustbemet.Theeightcategoriesinclude:

•LocationandlinkagesAddressestheenvironmentallysensitivewaysinwhichabuilderchoosesasiteandpromotesresponsiblelandusebylimitinginfrastructureelements,suchasroadsandwaterandsewagelines,andencouragingtransportationoptionsthatreducedependenceonautomobiles.

•SustainablesitesAddresseslandscapingandrewardslow-maintenanceprojectswithnativeplantsandbioswalesorotherstorm-waterrunofftechniques.

•WaterEfficiencyAddressesinternalandexteriorwaterconservationstrategies,andrewardstheuseofwater-efficientfixturesandappliancesaswellasrainwaterharvestingandothermeasuresforirrigation.

•EnergyandatmosphereAddresseshomeenergyuseandthegenerationofcarbondioxide,andrewardshomeswithefficientenvelopesandlowinherentstructuralenergyuserelativetoclimatezone.

•MaterialsandresourcesAddressesthechoiceofbuildingmaterials,includingtheenvironmentalimpactofharvesting,extracting,transportinganddisposingofthem.Pointsareawardedforenvironmentallyconsciousmaterialsaswellasforreclaimedorrecycled-contentmaterials,low-VOCandlocallysourcedmaterials,andcertifiedsustainablewoodproducts.

•IndoorairqualityAddressesthereductionofpollutantsthatcancontaminatetheairthroughtheremovalofadhesives,finishesandproductsthatemithighlevelsofvolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs)aswellasthroughtheintroductionofairfiltersorfresh-airventilationsystems.

•AwarenessandeducationAddressestheencouragementofhomeownerstokeepabreastofenergyconsumptionandmaintenanceissuesoverthelifespanofahome.

•InnovationanddesignprocessAddressesplanningthatimprovestheintegrationofthesystemsandelementsinagreenhomeasmeasuredagainstLEEDorotherregionalstandards.

Alocalartisanforgedthedecorativestairrailofasplit-levelhomethatwasrenovatedwithoutrecreatingtheexistingstructure.

HowCanyouConfirmThatyourHomeIsGreen?

BoththeUSGBC’sLEEDandtheNAHB’sratingsystemsrequireanEnergyStarcertificationasaprerequisitetotheircertification,andsoofferhigher-levelgreenstandardsagainstwhichahomemaybeevaluated.TheUSGBCalsooffersresidentialremodelingguidelinesforexistinghomes,knownastheReGreenGuidelines.WhiletheseguidelinesdovetailwiththeLEEDforHomesRatingSystemandareintendedforprofessionals,theyarenotaratingorcertificationsystem.Theyarealsoaccessibletohomeownersanddo-it-yourselfers.

AmongthedozensofothercertificationprogramsoperatedbyregionalandlocalhomebuildingassociationsaretheBuiltGreenprogramsinthestatesofWashington,Colorado,HawaiiandNewMexico,andinGrandRapids,

Washington,Colorado,HawaiiandNewMexico,andinGrandRapids,Michigan,aswellasCanada.Therearealsonumerouslocalelectricutilities,localgovernmentsandothernonprofitorganizationswithtestingandcertificationprograms.

InspectionandVerification

Mostgreenbuildingratingandcertificationsystemsrequireon-sitetestingandinspectiontoconfirmthatminimumstandardsaremet.Withtheincreaseinattentiononenergyefficiencyinourcountry,hundredsofratingfirmshavedevelopedintheU.S.overthepastcoupleofdecadesemployingindependentevaluatorstrainedinwhatisknownastheHomeEnergyRatingSystem,developedbytheResidentialEnergyServicesNetwork(RESNET),anot-for-profitmembershipcorporationandnationalstandards-makingbodyforbuildingenergy-efficiencyratingsystems.Ratingsbythesecertifiedinspectorscanbemadeforbothnewandexistinghomes.Inanewhome,ratingscanverifyenergyperformancefortheEnergyStarhomesprogram.Theycanalsobeusedtosecureenergy-efficientmortgagesorverifyenergycodecompliance.Ifyouwanttoupgradeyourhome’senergyefficiency,youcanusetheenergyratingtopinpointspecificcost-effectiveimprovements.Anenergyratingcanalsoallowahomebuyertocomparetheenergyperformanceofhomesunderconsideration.

Ahomeenergyraterreviewssuchenergycharacteristicsasinsulationlevels,windowefficiency,wall-to-windowratios,heatingandcoolingsystemefficiency,orientationofthehomeinrelationtothesun,andthewaterheatingsystem.ThedatagatheredbytheraterisenteredintoanaccreditedcomputerprogramandtranslatedintowhatisknownasaHERSratingscorebetween1and100,dependingonitsrelativeefficiency.TheHERSIndexscoreiskeyedtoareferencebasedontheInternationalEnergyConservationCode,andeachone-pointdecreaseinthescorecorrespondstoaone-pointdecreaseinenergyconsumptioncomparedtothereference.Sothelowerahome’sHERSIndexscore,themoreenergyefficientitis.Forexample,ahomewithaHERSIndexof90is10percentmoreefficientthanahomebuilttomeetthestandardreference.

Unlikeanenergyauditoraweatherizationassessment,thistypeofhomeenergyratingisarecognizedtoolinthemortgageindustry.Anenergymortgagecreditsahome’senergyefficiencyinthehomeloan.Ifthehomeisratedasparticularlyenergyefficient,forexample,theratingcouldgivethehomebuyertheabilitytosecureanEnergyEfficientMortgage,whichusestheenergysavingsfromanewenergy-efficienthometoincreaseaconsumer’shomebuyingpowerandcapitalizestheenergysavingsintheappraisal.Forhomesinwhich

powerandcapitalizestheenergysavingsintheappraisal.Forhomesinwhichtheenergyefficiencycanbeimproved,anenergyImprovementMortgagecanfinancetheenergyupgradesofanexistinghomeusingmonthlyenergysavings.Ifyouplantopurchaseanewgreenhome,besuretoenlistsomeformofindependentthird-partytestingsystemtoverifyanygreencertificationclaims.

Eco-SmartElementsAgreenhomemayincludeanynumberofhealth-promoting,energy-saving,environment-preservingfeatures.Herearejustofthefewofthespecificelementsyoumightfindinagreenhome:

•Passiveenergyconservationdesignfeatures,suchasoverhangsoversouth-andwest-facingwindows

•Well-insulatedwindows•Atanklesswaterheater•Efficientlightfixturesandbulbsandglare-freedaylighting•Dual-flushtoilets,low-flowfaucets,high-efficiencyirrigationsystemsandotherwaterconservationfeatures

•EfficientEnergyStar-ratedappliances•Solar-poweredenergysystemsandwaterheaters•Countertopsorcarpetsmadeofrecycledmaterials•Woodfloorsorcabinetsmadefromtreesgrownandharvestedinsustainablymanagedforests

•Efficientairventilationandpurificationsystems•Low-orno-VOCpaintsandfinishes•Fresh-airintakesandfine-particlefiltersonairconditioners

Groundwork

TheconstrainedlotofanEnglish-stylebrickhomedesignedbyWesketchArchitectureisenhancedwithlow-maintenancelandscaping.

AlimitednumberofplantsonanenclosedexteriorcourtyardkeepswaterusetoaminimuminahomedesignedbyPlumbob,builtbyMcDonaldConstructionandDevelopment,andnamedasthefirstGreenPoint–ratedandLEED-PlatinumhomeinNorthernCalifornia.

Whetheryourentanapartment,ownacondo,liveinahomeyouwanttoremodel,orplantobuyorbuildanewhome,thebestplacetostartcultivatingagreenerlifeisinyourownbackyard.Beforeturningyourattentioninward,getaclearsenseofthelandyourhomesitsonandtheenvironmentthatsurroundsit,sothatyoucanmakeyourlandscapeandyourneighborhoodaseco-friendlyasyourhome.

Agoodgreenhomeminimizesimpactontheenvironmentandisasfreefromhazardousconditionsaspossible.Itisalsosurroundedbyaneasy-to-maintainlandscapewithnativeplantsthatpromotethehealthofthelocalhabitat.Ideally,thelandaroundagreenhomeisaestheticallyappealingandincludesplantsthatprovideshade,absorbcarbonandenrichthesoil.Thelandscapemightalsoincluderetentionpondsorbioswalesforcollectingandfilteringstorm-waterrunoff.Ifyou’rebuildinganewgreenhome,thenyou’reinthebestpositiontocontrolyourimmediateenvironsfromtheoutsetbyworkingwithyourarchitectandlandscapertodevelopyoursiteinthemostenvironmentallyfriendlyway.If

youliveinanexistinghomeonasitethat’salreadydeveloped,however,youcanstilltakestepstobetterunderstandyoursurroundings,remedyproblemsandnurtureearth-friendlyconditionsinyourownyardaswellasinfluencethebroaderenvironmentaroundyou.

UNDERSTANDINGANDINFLUENCINGYOURSURROUNDINGS

Oneofthebestwaystostartlearningabouttheenvironmentaroundyourhomeistomakeamapofyoursurroundingsthatincludeselementssuchascellphonetowers,industrialsmokestacks,high-voltagepowerlinesandlandfillsthatcanposeenvironmentalproblems.Ifyouliveinacity,createamapthatcoversafive-to10-blockradius;ifyouliveinasuburbanorruralarea,aimforatwo-tofive-mileradiusforyourmap.

Noteboththemanmadefeaturesofyourneighborhoodandenvironsaswellasthenaturalconditions.Naturalconditionsyouwouldrecordonyourmapmightincludeponds,lakes,streams,rivers,wildlifepreserves,swampsandwetlands.Manmadefeaturesmightincludeparks,golfcourses,commercialfarmsandcamps,anyofwhichmightbesprayedwithpesticidesortreatedwithherbicidesthatcanfilterintothewatershed.Alsomakenoteofyourneighbors’lawnsandlandscapes,andrecordanychemicaltreatmentstheymightuseifyou’reawareofthem,andincludehigh-trafficroads,schoolsandbusinessessuchasdrycleaners,gasstations,electricalpowerstationsorchemicalprocessingplantsthatmightcontributetothechemical-orelectro-pollutioninyourneighborhood.Youshouldalsonotetheprevailingwindpatterns,thepositionofthesuninrelationtothewindowsinyourprimarylivingspacesaswellasthelocationoftreesthatcanprovideshadeandwindprotectionforyourhome.

Onceyou’vegainedaclearersenseoftheareaaroundyourhomeandhavepinpointedthepotentialproblems,youcanbegincollaboratingwithneighborsandyourcommunitytoinfluenceanynecessarychanges.Youmight,forexample,workwithalocalschoolcommitteetoaddressenvironmentalhealthconcernsforchildrencausedbyaschool’soutdatedbuildingmaterialsprocurementproceduresorineffectiveventilationsystems.Oryoumayjoinwithneighborstosetupaconservationeasementtoprotectasceniclocationinyourvicinity.

NaturallyOccurringPollutantsandElectromagneticFields

Youwouldnaturallyavoidbuildingorbuyingahomenearanybusinessorindustrialsitethatgeneratesexcessivemanmadepollutants,suchastoxicwaste,electromagneticwaves,andpesticides,whichcancausevariouskindsofenvironmentalillnesses,includingmultiplechemicalsensitivityandcancer.Buttherearealsonaturalpollutants,includinggeopathicstress,electromagneticradiation,radonandotherelementsthatmanyenvironmentalistsbelievecancauseharmtoyourhealthandthatyoushouldalsoavoidorcontroltothebestextentpossible.

GEOPATHICSTRESSNaturallyoccurringearthenergiesknownasgeopathicstresscomefrompolarmagnetism,veinsandstreamsofwater,undergrounddomes,radongasemissions,electromagneticwavesandseismicactivity.Theycanproduceeffectssuchasundergroundcaves,vortices,rockfissuresandfaults,powerspotsandothergeologicalstresses.Manyofthesestresses,suchasearthquakefaultlinesorareaswherethereareradongasemissions,forexample,arerecognizedashazardous,whileothers,suchasnaturallyoccurringnoxiousgeopathicenergylinesthatcrisscrosstheearth,aremorecontroversial.

Yetsomestudieshavemeasuredsignificantchangesinlevelsofserotonin,melatonin,calciumandzincinpeoplelivingovernoxiousenergyemissionsthatcausesleepdisorders,depression,rapidheartratesandothersymptoms.Otherstudieshaveshownthatplantsandanimalbehaviorcanindicateareaswheregeopathicstressoccurs.Forexample,cats,beesandantsaredrawntogeopathicstresszones,andoak,elmandwillowtreesthriveintheseareas.Cattle,horses,pigs,sheep,swallows,chickensanddogs,ontheotherhand,avoidtheseareas,andfruittreesdonotflourishinthem.Also,lightninghasbeenreportedtobemorelikelytostrikeinareaswhereundergroundwaterveinscrossanddeterioratingorcrackingstoneorconcretestructurescanindicatewhereareasofgeopathicstressarepresent.Studiessuggestthatthesenaturallyoccurringearthenergiescanbecomemoreproblematicwhentheyinteractwithartificiallyproducedelectromagneticfieldsfromundergroundtransportation,sewers,communicationssystems,computers,appliances,cellphones,wirelesstechnologiesandthelike.

ElementsofaGreenNeighborhood

ElementsofaGreenNeighborhoodIfyou’relookingforaneighborhoodinwhichtobuildanewgreenhome,orifyou’dliketogetasenseofhowyourownneighborhoodstacksupagainstothersfromagreenperspective,considercomparingittomeasurestheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncilusestoratetheeco-consciousnessofcommunitiesthroughitsLEED-NeighborhoodDevelopmentcertificationratingprogram.Theprogramidentifiesseveralconditionsbywhichthesustainabilityofacommunityorneighborhoodcanbejudged.Theseinclude:

•AreductioninsprawldevelopmentLocationsthatareclosertoexistingtownandcitycenters,siteswithgoodaccesstotransitsystems,infillorpreviouslydevelopedsites,andsitesadjacenttoexistingdevelopmentsarepreferred.Low-densityhousinglocatedinautomobile-dependentoutlyingareascanharmthenaturalenvironmentbyconsumingandfragmentingfarmland,forestsandwildlifehabitat,degradingwaterqualitythroughthedestructionofwetlandsandpollutingtheairwithincreasedautomobiletravel.

•AnemphasisonhealthylivingCompact,mixed-useneighborhoodswithshopsandserviceswithinwalkingorbikingdistancearepreferred.Neighborhoodsthatpromotewalkingandbikingratherthanautomobileusecanimprovecardiovascularandrespiratoryhealthandreducetheriskofhypertensionandobesityintheirinhabitants.Thisapproachalsoaddresseswhatonegreenhomedevelopercallsa“timefamine,”orlackoftimeinpeople’slives,whichisoneofthebiggestdrivinginterestsofhomebuyers.Quicktransportationandeasyaccesstorecyclingcentershelpsfreeupmoretime.

•LanddevelopmentthatprotectsthreatenedspeciesCompactdevelopmentpatternsandsiteswithinoradjacenttoexistingdevelopmentsthatminimizehabitatfragmentationandhelppreserveareasforrecreationarepreferred.

•PlentifultransportationoptionsthatdecreaseautomobiledependenceDowntownareasandneighborhoodcentersthatcanbeaccessedeasilybybuses,trains,carpools,bicyclelanesandsidewalksarepreferred.

Somestudieshaveshownthatavoidingmetalbuildingmaterialsandbedframes,andusingwoodstructuralsystemsandframesinstead,canhelpmitigatetheeffectsofgeopathicstress.Experienceddowsers,whopracticeancient

theeffectsofgeopathicstress.Experienceddowsers,whopracticeancienttechniquestounderstandearthenergies,canlocateareasofgeopathicstressandoffercorrectivemeasures.

ELECTROMAGNETICFIELDSSomeelectromagneticenergywaves,suchassunlight,arenatural;otherfields,suchastelevisionandradiowavesormicrowaves,arenot.Themagneticfieldthatenvelopstheearthisanonoscillating,directcurrentat7.83cyclespersecond,similartothatofthehumanbody.Itpulsesonandoff,butalwaysmovesinthesamedirection.Communicationinthecellsofyourbodyoccursthroughelectricalchargesthatgeneratecurrentsthatcontrolmanyofthebody’smajorfunctions,suchasnerveconductionandheartbeat,andthesenaturalfieldspulseonandofflikethataroundtheearth.

Unlikenaturalcurrents,manufacturedcurrentsoscillatebackandforthindifferentdirectionsandareknownasalternatingcurrents.Manybiologistsconcurthatelectromagneticfieldshavebiologicaleffects,butdonotagreeonthedegreetowhichtheyareharmful.Studieshaveindicated,however,thatEMFscancontributetonervousdisorders,suchasdepressionandanxiety,andsomelinkexposuretoEMFstoelevatedchildleukemiarisks.Thelong-termconsequencesofexposuretomanufacturedradiationarenotwellunderstood,thoughtodaymillionsofAmericansareineffectparticipatinginanexperimentonthem.Whilesomecountrieshavesetnationallimitsonexposuretocertainkindsofelectricandmagneticfields,theU.S.hasnot.

ToensureyourpropertyisprotectedfromadverseexposuretomanufacturedEMFs,somepublichealthexpertsrecommendkeepingatleast250metersfrom400kilovoltlines,150metersfrom225kilovoltlines,100metersfrom63–90kilovoltlines,and5to10metersfromtransformers.Anothergroupofexperts—ledbyDavidCarpenter,thedirectoroftheInstituteforHealthandtheEnvironmentfortheStateUniversityofNewYork—reviewed2,000studiesonEMFsandrecommendsa1milligausslimitforhousingadjacenttoneworupgradedpowerlines,a2milligausslimitforallothernewconstruction,a1milligausslimitforexistinghousingtoprojectchildrenandpregnantwomen,anda0.1microwattpersquarecentimeterlimitforoutdoorcumulativeexposuretoradiofrequencies.Youcanuseagaussometertomakethesecalculations.

Apergola,patiosandporchesenrichthecharacterofa1950sranchhouserenovatedbyWesketchArchitectureinaShinglestylehomewithoutdeviatingfromthecontextualscaleofthesurroundingcommunity.

RADONANDHEAVYMETALSRadonisaradioactivegasformedbythenaturalradioactivedecayofuranium,whichoccursnaturallywithintheEarth’scrust,rock,soilandwater.Radoniscolorless,odorlessandtasteless,andcanseepfromthegroundintohomes.Itcanalsoenterintothegroundwaterandaffectwatersupplies.Manykitsanddevicesareavailabletotestforradon,whichappearsathigherlevelsinsomepartsofthecountrymorethanothers.ThelevelatwhichtheEPArecommendsactionis4picocuries.Thereareavarietyofservicesthatcanbeemployedandtechniquesthatcanbeappliedtoreduceradontoacceptablelevels.

Heavymetalsarepresentinair,food,waterandvariouschemicals,andmanyofthem,suchasaluminum,copperandlead,canaccumulateinhumantissueovertimeandcausedamagetothebrain,kidneysandliver.TheEPAConsumerConfidenceRulerequiresthatpublicwatersuppliersthatservecommunitywatersystemsyear-roundprovideaconsumerconfidencereport(CCR)totheircustomers.Thereports,whicharealsoknowasannualwaterreportsordrinkingqualityreports,summarizethesourcesused(suchaslakes,rivers,aquifersand

qualityreports,summarizethesourcesused(suchaslakes,rivers,aquifersandreservoirs)andanydetectedcontaminantsandremedialactionorcomplianceefforts.WatercanalsobecomepollutedthroughPVC,leadorcopperpipes,orleaksinpipesthatpermitsiltandbacteriatoenterthetapwaterstream.PrivatewellwaterqualityisnotgovernedbyEPAregulations,butthestandardsforpublicsystemsarehelpfulguidelinesforthetreatmentofwaterfromprivatewells.TheEPArecommendstestingprivatewatersuppliesannuallyforcoliformbacteria,nitrates,totaldissolvedsolidsandpHlevelstodetectforwatercontaminationproblemsregularly.

A1960sA-framehomewasrenovatedinaShinglestyleandfittedwithnewefficientwindowstomaximizedaylightandminimizeenvironmentalimpactbypreservingtheoriginalplan.Anewdecklinksthehometotheoutdoors.

ENVIRONMENTALINSPECTIONANDSITEPREPARATION

SiteInspection

Beforeyoumakeanoffertopurchaseanyproperty,enlistthehelpofprofessionalconsultantstoinspectthepropertywithaPhaseIenvironmentalaudit,especiallyifthepropertyhasahistoryofindustrialoragriculturaluse.Thecostofaninspectionisminorcomparedtopossiblehazardouswastecleanupcosts.Ageotechnicalengineercantroubleshootproblemswithhighwatertables,unstablesoils,earthquakefaultsandsinkholes.Ageotechnicalengineerisoftenalsoasepticengineerandcanperformpercolationteststodeterminehowsewagewasteshouldbestbehandledandcanmakerecommendationsonapropersepticsystemforthesite.Ifthesitelackswater,awaterspecialistcanhelpyoufindoutthecostofobtainingit,eitherthroughthelocalmunicipality’swatercompanyorbydrillingawell,ifyoumustdothat.Ifthepropertyalreadyhasawell,itspumpshouldbeonethatwasmanufacturedafter1979,asoilsinolderpumpscancontainPCBsthatcanposeahealthhazard.

Linkedbyapergola,twocabanascladinsustainablyforestedmahoganyframetheedgeofapool.

Resources

Resources•scorecard.orgThewebsiteofEnvironmentalDefense,aleadingnationalnonprofitenvironmentaladvocacygroup,allowsyoutoobtainaccessible,scientificallycredibleinformationabouttoxicsinyourcommunitysimplybytypinginyourzipcode.Thesitealsoallowsyoutoidentifycompanieswiththeworstenvironmentalrecordsinyourarea.Bydistributingpreviouslyinaccessibledata,theScorecardsiteaimstoprovideapowerfultoolforbothcitizensandcommunitiestodemandimprovementsinenvironmentalquality.

•nwf.orgThiswebsiteoffersinformationonTheNationalWildlifeFederation’sCertifiedWildlifeHabitatprogram,whichhelpshomeownersturntheirbackyardsintowildlifesanctuaries.

•susdesign.com/sunangleThissunanglecalculator,offeredthroughtheSustainablebyDesignwebsite,allowsyoutofindoutthepositionofthesunbasedonyourlocation,thetimeandthedayoftheyear.

•davisnet.comThewebsiteofDavisInstruments,aprivatemanufacturingcompanyanddeveloperofweather-monitoringinstruments.

•weathertrak.comThewebsiteofawatermanagementserviceandproductcompany.

•dowsers.orgThewebsiteoftheAmericanSocietyofDowsers,anonprofitorganizationthatseekstopromotepublicawarenessoftheartofdowsing,andtoprovideandencouragehighethicalstandards.

•ewg.org/tapwater/findings.phpTheEnvironmentalWorkingGroup’sNationalTapWaterQualityDatabaseenablesyoutofindtheCCRforyourmunicipalsystem.

SiteClearingandPreparation

Beforeagreeingtoworkwithacontractor,besureyouclarifyandagreeuponyourdemandsforminimalimpacttotheenvironment.Youshouldbesurethatnaturalvegetationandlandfeaturesarepreservedtothemaximumextentpossibleandthatyouoryourarchitectwillhavetheauthoritytoapprovethesitelayoutbeforefootingsaredug.Youshouldalsodemandthattopsoilandbouldersbestockpiled,andreservetherighttodeterminewhichtreeswillberemoved.Treestumpsshouldalsoberemovedanddisposedofoff-sitetokeepawaytermitesandotherpests.

awaytermitesandotherpests.Thegroundshouldalsobegradedtoslopeatleast5percentawayfromthe

houseperimeterforproperwaterdrainageandtopreventmold.Andbuildersshouldavoidtreatingsoilbeneathbrickpaversoraroundthestructurewithinsecticidesorpesticides.Ifsoiltreatmentisrequired,considerusingboricacidonsandsurfacesandapplyingbarrierclothunderfloorsandwalkwaystopreventweedgrowth.Finally,avoidusingasphaltorblacktoppaving,whichcontainspetroleumtar.Itiscarcinogenicandemitsharmfulvaporsduringinstallationandbecomesvolatilewhenheatedbythesun.Healthieroptionsincludeconcreteslab,gravel,brickpaversorpavingstone.

Plantersmadeofrusticated,engineeredstoneformaborderattherearofaneco-friendlyhouse.

SHAPINGYOURYARD

Themannerinwhichyoumaintainyourgardenorlandscapecanhaveasignificanteffectonyourownhealthandthatofthesoil,air,waterandhabitatfornativewildlifenearby.Ifyougardeninanenvironmentallyfriendlyway,usingsustainablegardeningtechniques,youcanenhanceyourenvironsandhelpconserveresources.Considertheseapproaches:

A4,000-gallonrainwatercatchmentsystemisburiedunderthedrivewayofthishomedesignedbyPlumbobandsurroundedbydrought-tolerantplants.

•Employpassivelandscapingtechniques.Planttreesinawaythatworkswiththesunandseasonstoimprovetheheatingandcoolingofyourhome.Forexample,placematureorfast-growingdeciduousshadetreesnearsouth-andwest-facingwindowstoblockhighsunfrompenetratingwindowsandheatinguproomsinsummer,whilepermittingthelower-anglesuntowarmroomsinwinteraftertheleaveshavefallen.You’llsavemoneyonheatingandcoolingandprotectyourfurnishingsandcarpetsfromfading.

•Restorenativeplantsandremoveinvasiveones.Plantsnativetoyourregionarebetterfortheenvironmentthanexoticones.Theygenerallyrequirelesswater,fertilizerandotheradditives,andneedlesseffortinpestcontrol.Theyarealsoimportanttonativewildlife,suchaspollinators.Pollinatorsoftenrelyonacertaintypeofflowerasasourceoffood,andtheflowerdependsonthepollinatortotransportitspollentootherflowerstoreproduce.Non-nativeplantscanupsetthedelicatebalanceofalocalecosystem,sometimesout-competingnativespeciestothepointofextinction.

•Incorporatebioswales.Theseorotherstorm-watersystemsaredesignedtoremovesiltandpollutionfromsurfacerunoffwater.Theytypicallyconsistofaswaleddrainagecoursewithgentlyslopedsidesandarefilledwithvegetation,compostorripraptomaximizethetimewaterspendsintheswaleandtrap

pollutantsandsilt.Bioswalesandraingardensarelow-impactstorm-watersystemsthatcandealwith95percentoftherainfallonsiteasopposedtohavingitrunoffthesitequicklyintopipeschanneledintoariverorotherwaterfeature.

•Introduceanautomaticirrigationsystem.Sincemorewaterisgenerallyusedoutsidethehomethaninside,considerintegratinganefficientirrigationsystemintoyourexistinglandscape.Innewdevelopments,somelocalhomeowners’covenantsallowbuilderstoinstalldripirrigationsystemsalongwithdrought-tolerantplantsandminimallawns.Also,ifyou’reinthemarketforapreconstructedgreenhome,lookforoneinadevelopmentthatincludeswaterconservationtechniquesinitsbuildingguidelinesorcertificationprogram.SomecommunitiesevenmandateWeatherTraksatelliteirrigationcontrol.Youmightalsoconsiderpurchasingyourownelectronicorwirelessautomaticirrigationsystem,suchasDavis’sVantagePro2,whichconnectstothecompany’sweatherstationsaroundtheglobeandoffersreadingsforbarometricpressure,temperature,humidity,rainfall,windspeedanddirection,andmuchmore—withoutaPC.

•Harvestrainwaterforirrigation.Todothis,youcansimplycollectrainwaterinbarrelsforyourirrigationneeds.Inanewhome,planforguttersthatdivertrainwaterfromtheroofintobarrelspositionedaroundthesideofyourhouse.Inanexistinghome,youcancutanopeningintoanexistingdownspoutanddivertthewaterintotanksorbarrels.Dependingonyourlocationandlandscapingneeds,youcancollectabout375gallonsina400-gallonrainbarrelfroma½-inchrainfalloffonesideofa2,400-square-footroof.Thebarrelsareabout4×4feetandcanbelinedupandcamouflagedwithshrubs,andthewatertheyholdcanbedrawnoutwithasmallwaterpumpandusedforirrigationduringdrysummermonths.

•Usemulch.Mulchhelpsholdwaterinthesoil,ratherthanallowingittoevaporateintotheair,soitremainsavailabletoyourplants.Mulchingcanalsohelpyoureduceyourwateringtime.Asthemulchbreaksdownitalsoprovidesnutrientstothesoil,helpingtoreducetheneedforfertilizer.Usemulchesthatarederivedfromsustainableforestrypracticesandfreefrompests.

Topandbottom:Downspoutsattheperimeterofslopedroofsallowrunoffwatertocollectinrainbarrelsforenvironmentallysoundlandscapeirrigation.

Sedum,plantedingravel-filledtrays,coverspartoftherooftopgardenofarchitectRickRenner’surbanapartment.Theplantshelpwithinsulationandrooftoprunoff.

DesignerBrianFlynndesignedthisstylish,low-maintenancerooftopgarden,addingvaluetohisAtlantaapartmentandgivinghimaccesstotheoutdoors.

•Reducelawnsize.Grasslawnsoftenrequirechemicaltreatmentsandfrequentmaintenancewithgas-poweredlawnmowers,whichproducehighlevelsofgreenhousegasesthatcontributetoglobalwarmingandairpollution.Mostlawnsconsistofjustafewtypesofplantsthatmostanimalsdonotconsume,sotheydon’tprovidealotofvalueforwildlifeeither.Ifyoureplacegrasswithnativewildflowers,bushes,andtrees,youcanprovidethefood,shelterandcoverforbirds,butterfliesandotherwildlifethathelpmaintainhealthy,naturalecosystems.

•Tryxeriscaping.Xeriscapingisanapproachtolandscapingthatminimizesoutdoorwateruseandmaintainssoilintegritywithnative,drought-tolerantplants.Thispracticeiscommonindrierareasofthecountry,suchastheWestandSouthwest,wherewaterisinshortersupplyorwaterqualitycanbeanissue.

•Createaroofterrace.Ifyouliveinanurbansettinganddon’thaveaterraceorground-levelgarden,youmightstillbeabletocultivateaccesstothegreatoutdoorsbycreatingaroofgarden.Notonlywillitimprovethequalityofyourlife,butitwillalsoincreasethevalueofyourhome,asapotentialbuyerwillpayapremiumforgardenspaceinurbanareas.

SurroundedbyadeckofdurableWesternRedCedar,a12-inch-deepgardeninsulatesthishomedesignedbyPlumbob,andcontrolsstormwater.

SimpleStepstoTurnYourHomeintoanEco-FriendlySanctuary1Usesolargardenlightstolinepathways.Thesefixturesdonotrequirewiringorelectricity.Insteadtheyabsorbnaturalsunlightduringthedayandturnonautomaticallyatdusk.SomeuseLED(light-emittingdiode)bulbs,whicharebrighterandlastlongerthanstandardincandescentbulbs.

2Putoutabirdbathorbirdfeeder.Thebirdsthatcometoindulgeinthemwillintroducemovement,colorandsongtoyouryard—andthey’lleatupmanyharmfulinsects,too.Useplatformfeederstoattractbluejays,cardinals,robinsandsparrows;hangingfeedersforgoldfinches,purplefinchesandvariouschickadees;polefeedersforcertainwoodpeckersormockingbirds.Useabrightlycoloredhummingbirdfeedertoattracthummingbirdsandusesuetfeederstoattractinsect-eatingbirds,suchasthrushandtanagers.

3Buildabathouse.Aseerieastheyaretomanypeople,batsareactuallyenvironmentallyhelpfulfriends.Theyeatthousandsofmosquitoesinasingleeveningandtheyalsoeatcockroachesandgnats.Inadditiontotheirpestcontrolabilities,theypollinatemanyfoodplants.

4Attractbutterflies.Plantbuddleia,aster,goldenrod,clover,hyacinthandotherplantsthatbutterflieslove.You’llenrichyourgardenwiththecolorandmovementofthesebeautifulcreaturesandhelppollinateplants.Justbesurethey’reinasunny,warm,relativelywind-freeplacewithaccesstowater,andchooseplantsthatareattractivetothebutterfliesinyourarea.Don’tusepesticidesonsuchplants.

5Deer-proofyouryard.Includeplantsdeertendtoavoid,suchasmarigoldsandzinnias,orplacescentedsoaporhumanhairinyourgardens.Anotheroptionistouseverytallfencesornettingfences.

6Protectyourpets.Keepplantsthatmaybedelightfultohumansbuttoxictoyourpetsoutofyourgarden.VisitthetoxicplantdatabaseatthewebsiteoftheUniversityofIllinois’sLibraryofVeterinaryMedicineatlibrary.uiuc.edu/vex/toxic/comlist.htm.

Low-maintenanceplantsenrichahome’ssurroundingswithoutharmingtheplanet.

CreatinganEfficient,Eco-FriendlyBuildingStructure

Twobump-outscladinstuccoandpaintedtomatchexistingwoodsidingbelowincreasetheareaonahome’ssecondfloorwithoutalteringitsoriginalfootprint.

STARTINGFRESHORSTARTINGFROMSCRATCH

Whetheryouwanttoremodelanexistinghometomakeitgreenerorbuildorpurchaseanewgreenhome,itisessentialtounderstandthecharacteristicsofthehome’sbuildingenvelope.Theenvelopeofagreenhomeshouldbetightandenergyefficientwithwell-insulatedwalls,efficientwindows,andeffectivevaporandventilationcontrol.

Amajorproblemwithmanyexistingandnewhomesbuiltwithstandardframeconstruction,forexample,isthelocationandhandlingofthemechanicalequipment.Furnaces,boilersandairhandlersshouldnotbeplacedinventedcrawlspacesorinatticsthatarenotproperlyinsulated.Ventsinatticsandcrawlspaces,aswellasopeningsforplumbingandwiring,allowairleakagethatcancauseahometoloseupto30percentofitsenergy.Otherenergyinefficienciesresultfrompoorconstructionordesign,suchasimproperlyplacedroofsheathingorinteriordrywallthatisn’ttightatkeyconnectionpointsinsidethehouse,suchasnexttoakitchencabinetorbathtubadjoiningahome’sperimeterwall.Poorexhaustfansinbathroomscanalsocausemoisture-relatedproblemswithmoldandmildewthatcreateindoorairqualityissues.

It’sarealheadachetoripoutandrepairstructuralproblemsorinefficientbuildingenvelopes.Butifyou’replanningtoremodelorwanttoimprovetheenergyefficiencyofyourexistinghome’senvelope,it’shelpfultogetabuildinginspectiontoexaminetheattic,ductsandexhaustvents,andgetaRESNETblowerdoorandductpressurizationtestdonetoseeifyourhomemeetsminimumstandardsofairtightness.Thiswillhelpyoudeterminewhereanyproblemsmightbe,sothatupgradescanbemadeaccordingly.

Ifyou’reinthemarkettobuyapreconstructedgreenhome,therearenumerousgreendevelopmentsandcommunitiesthroughoutthecountry.Agoodwaytofindoneistoreviewthelistofbuildersinyourareawhoareparticipatinginthegovernment’sEnergyStarprogram.Itswebsiteenablesyoutosearchforbuildersbystate.Ifyouwanttobuildanewgreenhomeorremodelanexistinghomeusinggreenprinciples,besuretofindanarchitect,builderorotherindustryprofessionalswhohavetheknowledgeandexperiencetocost-effectivelyplan,designandbuildagreenhome.

effectivelyplan,designandbuildagreenhome.

ResourcesforGreenBuilders,ArchitectsandDesigners•energystar.gov/homesThewebsitefortheU.S.Government’senergyefficiencyratingprogram.

•www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=1306TheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil’sprofessionalresourcelink.

•aia.orgThesitefortheAmericanInstituteofArchitects,whichallowsyoutofindarchitectsinyourareawhospecializeinsustainabledesign.Alternatively,youmightcontactthestateorlocalchapteroftheAIAinyourareaforrecommendations.

•bau-biologieusa.com/findexpert.htmlTheInternationalInstituteforBau-Biologie&Ecology,anonprofitorganizationdedicatedtoeducationonenvironmentallyhealthybuildinganddesign,whichshouldbeabletoreferyoutoexpertsfamiliarwithitsprinciples.

•asid.orgThesitefortheAmericanSocietyofInteriorDesigners,whichallowsyoutolocateinteriordesignersspecializinginsustainabledesign.

•greenbuilding.comAthoroughsourceforfindingexperts,contractors,buildersandgreenbuildinginformation.

FindinganArchitectorBuilder

OnesourceforfindingdesignandconstructionprofessionalsistheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil.Therearemanyarchitects,designersandotherprofessionalswhohaveexperienceingreendesignandbuilding,butwhoarenotcertifiedbytheCouncil,however.LocalchaptersoftheAmericanInstituteofArchitectsortheAmericanSocietyofInteriorDesignersshouldalsobeabletohelpreferyoutogreenarchitectsinyourarea.TheAmericanSocietyofInteriorDesignerscanhelpyoulocateinteriordesignerswhospecializeingreendesign.AnothersourceforfindingprofessionalscommittedtosustainabledesignistheInternationalInstituteforBau-BiologieandEcology.Itisanonprofiteducationalorganizationofferinginformationonanintegratedsustainableapproachtobuildingdesign,whichwasdevelopedinGermanyandbringstogethertechnicalexpertise,biologyandecologytocreatehealthyhomesandworkplaces.

ThisdeckismadeofBlueStarMahogany,whichisharvestedfrommanagedforestsindependentlycertifiedbytheMalaysianTimberCertificationCouncil.

EARTHMASONRYANDOTHERALTERNATIVEGREENCONSTRUCTIONMETHODS

Buildinganewgreenhomeaffordsyoutheopportunitytocreateadwellingthatissitedtoworkintandemwiththenaturalcyclesoftheearthandconstructedofthemosthealthy,locallyproducedandefficientmaterialsavailable.Ideally,yourarchitectwillalsoemployaclimate-basedapproachtoitsconstructiondetailing.

Historically,buildingtypesemergedovertimethatincorporatedlocalmaterialsthatrespondedperfectlytotheirclimacticconditions.SinceWorldWarII,however,withtheintroductionofmass-producedandtransportedbuildingproducts,thebuildingindustryhaschangeddramatically.Furthermore,thecodesthatregulatethebuildingindustrydonotalwaysaddressvariationsinclimacticconditionsindifferentpartsofthecountry.Withincreaseddependenceonmechanizedheatingandcoolingsystemsandtighterinsulatedbuildingenvelopes,mosthousesintheU.S.arenowconstructedinasimilarmanneranddon’tnecessarilytakeintoaccounttheextremeweatherconditionsthathavebeguntooccurduetoglobalwarming.

Becauseoftheseenvironmentaldrawbackstostandardframeconstruction,somesustainablearchitectspreferusinghistoricalmethodsofconstructionandnaturalmaterials.Thereasonwhyearthmasonryandotherso-calledindigenousmodesofearthconstructionareappealingisthattheytypicallyproducemassivewallsthataredesignedtohandlethetransferofmoistureandvaporintoandoutofthehouseinastable,healthyandcomfortableway,withouttheneedformanufacturedexteriorsheathing,insulation,gypsumboardandpaint,whichcancauseVOCcontamination.Otherbenefitsofearthasabuildingmaterialareitslowcost,recyclability,nonflammability,durabilityandexcellentthermalstoragecharacteristics.

Adownsideoftheseconstructionmethodsisthatthebuildingtechniqueitselfcandictatetheaestheticqualitiesofthehome,whichmaynotcoincidewithyourvision.Also,somejurisdictionsdonotpermitearth-masonryorsomeoftheotheralternativebuildingapproaches,orthemethodssimplyaren’tpracticalordesired.Furthermore,findingcontemporarybuildersfamiliarwiththeseconstructionmethodscanbeachallenge.

Ifyouchoosetouseanearthorotherhistoricgreenconstructionmethod,

Ifyouchoosetouseanearthorotherhistoricgreenconstructionmethod,however,andhaveanarchitectandbuilderwhoareexperiencedwithit,thenyou’llalsoneedtogetapprovaltobuildinthismannerfromyourlocalbuildingauthority,ascodesfortheseconstructionmethodsvarybyjurisdiction.Hereisabriefsummaryofsomeoptions:

•EarthBlockUsedthroughouttheworldinhot,drysubtropicalareas,earthblockscanbemadeintheformofadobes,pressedblocksorgreenbricks.ItsR-value,orinsulationcapability,isfairlylow,soittypicallyneedstobepairedwithsyntheticinsulationtomeetenergyrequirementsintheU.S.ItiscommonlyusedintheSouthwest.

•RammedEarthHistoricallyfoundinbothhot,dryareasandcold,wetregions,rammed-earthstructuresaremadeofsand,gravel,clayandmoisturethat’sbeenrammedintoformworkin6-to8-inchlayers.Withmodernenergyrequirements,thistypeofconstructionismostsuitedtowarmerclimates,buthasbeenadaptedtoincludeaninsulationlayerforcolderclimates.Ithasalsobeenproducedefficientlywithmodernmechanizedmachinery.

•CobandWetClayTechniquesCobconstructioninvolvestheuseofmoistenedclayandsandmixedwithstrawandthenformedintoloaves,whicharepiledontoawallandblendedwithpreviouslayers.It’salsobestsuitedtowarmerclimates.AnAmericancompany,theCobCottageCompany,hasdevelopedacontrolled,strongerformulationtocreatenewhomesusingthisprocess.

•LightClay-StrawIncolderclimateswherehigherinsulationvaluesarerequired,mudmixedwithlightweightaggregates,suchasstraw,woodchips,pumiceorvermiculite,canserveasasuitableearth-friendlyconstructionmaterial.TheEcoNestBuildingCompanyhasdevelopedatechniqueforbuildingclay-strawstructuresintheU.S.thatinvolvesapplyingaclay-strawmixturearoundatimberframeorasaninfillmaterial.Propercuringisessentialforthismaterial,andthewallsmustbefinishedwithearthandlimeplasterorproperlyventedwoodsidingforsufficientvapordiffusion.

•StrawBaleThistypeofconstructioniscreditedtoearlysettlersoftheNebraskanplains,wherefewtreesmadewoodbuildingsuppliesscarcebutstrawwasplentiful.Itshighinsulationvalue(betweenR-33andR-57)makesitagoodbuildingmaterialincolderclimates.Ifyouwanttoworkwiththistypeofconstruction,choosestrawthathasbeenorganicallygrowntoavoidthetoxicaffectsofpesticides.Also,cellulosematerialispredisposedtomold,so

strictmoistureandventilationstrategiesneedtobeincludedinthedesignwithearth-basedplastercoveringexteriorandinteriorwalls.Usually,strawbaleconstructioniscombinedwithvariousstructuralsystems,suchaspostsandbeamsormasonryconcretepiers.

•WoodInsulatedConcreteFormsInventedinEuropeafterWorldWarII,woodinsulatedconcreteforms(WICFs)weredevelopedtoaddressthemassiverebuildingneededduringaconventionalbuildingmaterialshortage.Theunitsaremadeofwastewoodchipsimpregnatedwithclayandmixedwithcement.Theyarelightweight,noncombustible,dimensionallystable,resistrotandfungus,andtoleratefreeze-thawcycles.Thesevapor-diffusiblebuildingcomponentscanbecombinedwithinsulationinsertstoproduceeconomicalandenergy-efficientstructures.Lookfortheformsthataremadewithoutpolystyrene.They’reavailableinthiscountrythroughDurisol,FaswallandHealthyBuildingsMadeEasy.

•AeratedAutoclavedConcreteManufacturedinAmericabyAercon,Contec,Tru-StoneandHumabuiltHumaBlock,aeratedautoclavedconcrete(AAC)wasdevelopedinSwedeninthe1920s.Sincerefined,it’saconcreteblock-likematerialmadefromquartzsand,lime,orcementaluminumpowderandwater.It’shighlyinsulative,andcanbereinforced,cut,sawed,shapedandplasteredwithnotoxicoutgassing.

•StructuralInsulatedPanel(SIP)isanothernewcompositehomebuildingmaterial.Thesehigh-performancebuildingpanelsaretypicallymadebysandwichingacoreofrigidfoamplasticinsulationbetweentwostructuralskinsoforientedstrandboard(OSB).Thebuildingsystemisextremelystrong,energyefficientandcosteffective,savingtime,moneyandlaborinthebuildingprocess.SIPhomesgoupfasterthantraditionallyframedbuildings.Panelscanbemanufacturedasbigas8×24ft,soentirewallscanbeputupquickly,reducingdry-intime.SIPscanbesuppliedasready-to-installbuildingcomponentswhentheyarriveatthejobsite,eliminatingthetimeneededtoperformindividualjobsiteoperationsofframing,insulatingandsheathingstick-framedwalls.Windowopeningsmaybeprecutinthepanels,anddependingonthesize,aseparateheadermaynotneedtobeinstalled.Electricalchasesaretypicallyprovidedinthecoreofthepanels,sothereisnoneedtodrillthroughstudsforwiring.TheywereformallyacceptedintotheInternationalResidentialCodebytheInternationalCodeCouncilinMay2007,andwhencombinedwithotherenergy-efficientsystems,canoffer50to70percentsavingsovertheModelEnergyCode(MEC).Theyhavealsobeen

instrumentalincreatingwhatareknownaszero-energybuildings,whichactuallyproducemoreenergythantheyconsume.

ECO-FRIENDLYFRAMECONSTRUCTION

Sincetherearemanywaystoevaluateandcertifyagreenhome,andmanybuildingproductsarenowmadewithatleastsomekindofeco-consciousproductionprocess,youcancertainlybuildanewgreenhomeorremodelanexistingoneusingacontemporarystandardconstructionmethod.Mostnewhomestodayarebuiltusingmetalorwoodframeconstructionmethods,andcode-approved,mass-producedbuildingmaterialsinuniformsizeswithpredictableperformancecharacteristics.Ifyouchoosetobuyorbuildanewgreenhomethathasastandardframeconstruction,thekeyistocreateanenergy-efficientbuildingenvelopewithhighR-valuewallsbyincorporatinggoodinsulation,efficientwindows,vaporcontrollayersandductworkinunventedspaces.

NaturalmaterialsaddcharactertotwohomesdesignedbyWesketchArchitecture.Aneyebrowarchcladincedarshinglesenlivensthefrontentranceofarenovatedsplit-levelhome.

GreenCertificationOrganizationsWindows,doorsandotherexteriorbuildingproductswithsealsofapprovalfromanyofthefollowingorganizationsandprogramswillbecertifiedforvariousaspectsofenvironmentalsensitivity.

•ForestStewardshipCouncilThisorganizationwasfoundedtocoordinatethedevelopmentofforestmanagementstandardsthroughouttheU.S.andisthemostwidelyrespectedcertifyingbodyofgreenwoodproductsofallkinds.Visitfscus.org.

•SustainableForestryInitiativeSFIInc.isafullyindependentcharitableorganizationdedicatedtopromotingsustainableforestmanagement.Paperorwoodproductswithitslabelhavemetitsstandardsforenvironmentalresponsibility.Visitsfiprogram.org.

•AlliancetoSaveEnergyMadeupofmembersofCongressandcorporateexecutives,thisorganizationiscommittedtopromotingenergyefficiency.

Visitase.org.•EnergyStarTheU.S.government’senergyperformanceratingprogram.Visitenergystar.gov.

•GreenSealAnindependentnonprofitorganizationthatstrivestoachieveahealthierandcleanerenvironmentbyidentifying,certifyingandpromotinggreenproductsandservices.WindowanddoorproductsthatareGreenSealcertifiedmeettheorganization’senergyefficiencyrequirementsandaremanufacturedandpackagedinaconsistent,environmentallyresponsiblemanner.Visitgreenseal.org.

•MetaforeFormerlytheCertifiedForestProductsCouncil,thisnonprofitorganizationcollaborateswithbusinessesandsocietytocreatemarket-basedapproachestosupportforestsandcommunities.Visitmetafore.org.

•TheNationalFenestrationRatingCouncilTheNFRCisavoluntarythird-partycertificationprogramdesignedtoensureaccuratewindowperformanceratingandlabeling.Visitnfrc.org.

Inadditiontousinglocalbuildingmaterialsinharmonywithyourclimate,yourarchitectorbuildershouldtrytousenontoxicmaterialswheneverpossibleontheexteriorofthehouseaswellasinside.Fortheconcreteusedforfootings,foundationwallsorslabflooring,forexample,youmighttrytogetyourbuildertosubstitutemagnesiumoxide–basedcementforPortlandcement.Althoughresearchhasbeendoneandeffortshavebeenmadetoimproveitfromagreenperspective,Portlandcementhasbeenestimatedtocontributetoasmuchas12percentoftheearth’sgreenhousegasemissions,andwhenmixedwithplastics,itmaynotcureproperlyandoutgasestoxicfumes.Itisalsosusceptibletomold.Inaddition,anyconcreteinyourhomeshouldbemadewithpotable-qualitywaterandcleannaturalmineralaggregates,notcrushedbrick,sandstoneorcinder.Iftheconcreteneedstobereinforced,it’sbesttousenonmetallicreinforcingfibersratherthanmetalwirefabric,orfiberglassbarsratherthansteelbarstoreducetheamountofconductivemetalsinthehouse.

Ingeneral,fornewconstructionorrenovationprojects,urgeyourarchitectorbuildertoavoidorlimittheuseofthefollowing:productsthathavebeentreatedwithinsecticides,mildewcidesorotherchemicaltreatments;compositewoodproductsboundwithformaldehyde-emittingglues,includingparticleboard;certainkindsofplywoodandmanufacturedsheathing;finishesthatemitharmfulVOCs;andasphaltroofingmaterialsanddriveways.Ifearth-friendlysubstitutes

VOCs;andasphaltroofingmaterialsanddriveways.Ifearth-friendlysubstitutescannotbemadeforthesebuildingproducts,effortsshouldbemadetoreducetheireffects,suchascuringorsealingthemoff-site.

Framing,SheathingandInsulation

Likeearthmasonryandotherhistoricgreenbuildingmethods,thegreencharacteristicsofahomebuiltwithstandardframeconstructionneedtobeevaluatedfortheirdurability,thermalandmoisturecontrolcharacteristics,andthetoxicityoftheirmaterials.Hereisasummaryofsomeoftheprimarycomponentsofahousebuiltwithframeconstructionandsomegreenapproachestoemploy:

Durableslateshinglescovertheroofofanewhomedesignedandconstructedtofollowthenaturaltopographyofthesite.

•FramingFrameconstruction,whichisstandardinthiscountrysincelumberisplentiful,istypicallydonewith2×4lumber.Metalstudsaregenerallyusedinurbansettingsforfiresafety.Ifyouopttobuildorremodelahousewiththistypeofconstruction,youcanuseframinglumberthathasbeensustainablyharvested,oftenatnoadditionalcost,ifyourarchitectorbuilderspecifiesit.Finger-jointedstudsmadefromreclaimedwoodscrapsofferanotherframing

alternative.Theymeasure2×6andtheirincreasedwidthallowsformoreinsulation,makingahomemoreenergyefficientinclimateswhereextrainsulationishelpful.

•SheathingLikeframinglumber,exterior-gradeplywoodsheathingforwallsandroofsshouldbespecifiedtobecertifiedassustainablyharvested.Plywoodsheathingaswellasanothercommonsheathingmaterialknownasorientedstrandboard(OSB)cancontainformaldehydeandothertoxicchemicals.

•InsulationAnyinsulationcanbeseenasagreenchoicebecauseitimprovesahome’senergyefficiency.Buttherearemanytypesofinsulation,andsomearegreenerthanothers.Tounderstandthegreencharacteristicsofanyinsulation,you’llwanttoconsidertheresourcesandmanufacturingprocessesusedinitsproduction,aswellasitsdurability,recyclabilityandimpactonindoorairquality.Severalgreenresources,includingGreenBuilding.comandTreeHugger.com,evaluatethesecharacteristics.

WesketchArchitectureaddedsmallernorth-facingwindowstopermitviewsandhighersouth-facingwindowstoletinanabundanceofnaturallight.

Thesewebsitesarealsogoodresourcesforinformationonnewgreeninsulationalternativestostandardfiberglassinsulation,which,althoughwidelyusedinhomesintheU.S.,canreleaseparticulatematterandharmfulgasesintotheair.Someofthegreeneralternativesincludeinsulationmadefromsoybeans,cotton,recycledpaper,useddenimandevenhemp.Bio-basedsprayfoam

insulationissaidtocontainnoharmfulorirritatingmicrofibersororganicdustparticles.Thecontinuousairbarrierthatitcreatesaroundthehomenotonlyinsulatesbutalsoblocksharmfuloutsideirritantssuchasmold,pollenandotherallergensfromenteringthehome.AnothersourceforinformationonthevarioustypesofinsulationsandtherecommendedR-valuesforyourareaistheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’sConsumerGuidetoEnergyEfficiencyandRenewableEnergy(Guidancesidebar).

Ifyou’reremodelingakitchenorbathroom,naturallyyou’llbeconcernedwiththeaesthetics,butifyouarerippingoutdrywallanyway,taketheopportunitytoaddinsulation,whichnotonlyimprovesenergyefficiencybutalsoreducesnoiseandincreasesfireresistance.SourcesoflessharmfulbattinsulationincludeCertainTeedandKnaufFiberGlass,whoseinsulationiscertifiedbyGreenguard,anorganizationdedicatedtoimprovingindoorairquality.

TypesofInsulationBeforechoosinganyinsulation,familiarizeyourselfwiththefourtypesofinsulationandtheirR-values.BattandblanketinsulationThisisthemostcommonformofinsulationandusuallyconsistsofmineralfiber,eitherfiberglassorrockwool.It’sfairlyeasytoworkwithandisgenerallytheleastexpensive.However,itdoesn’tsealairaswellasothertypes.It’susedtoinsulatebelowfloors,aboveceilingsandwithinwalls,andisbestsuitedforstandardstudandjoistspacingthatismostlyfreeofobstructions.

Loose-fillinsulationLoosefibersofrockwool,fiberglassorcellulosecanbeblownintobuildingcavitiesoratticsusingspecialequipment.Itcostsmorethanbatts,butreducesairleakageinwallcavitiesifitisblowninwithsufficientdensity,andhasbettersoundreductionqualities.Cellulosefiber,madefromrecyclednewspapers,ischemicallytreatedforfireandinsectresistance.Itcanbeusedinwalls,floorsoratticsandyoucaninstallityourself.

RigidboardinsulationMadefromfiberglass,polystyreneandpolyurethane,rigidinsulationisusedforreroofingworkonflatroofs,onbasementwalls,asperimeterinsulationatconcreteslabedges,andincathedralceilings.Ifyouuseitinside,itmustbecoveredwith12-inch

gypsumboardorotherbuilding-code-approvedmaterialforfiresafety.Ifusedtoinsulatetheinteriorofmasonrywalls,itdoesnotrequireextravapor-retardingtreatment.Exteriorapplications,however,mustbecoveredwithweatherprooffacing.

SprayfoamSprayfoaminsulationisatwo-partliquidcontainingapolymer,suchaspolyurethaneormodifiedurethane,andafoamingagent.Itexpandsintoasolidcellularplasticthatfillseverynookandcranny.Materialsandinstallation,whichshouldonlybedonebyprofessionals,costmorethantraditionalbattinsulation.However,sprayfoamactsasbothinsulationandanairbarrier,soiteliminatestheusualstepsnecessarytoensureairtightness,suchascaulking,applyinghousewrapandvaporbarriers,andtapingjoints.Thiscanmakesprayfoamcost-competitivewithbattinsulation.Sprayfoaminsmallcontainersmaybeappropriatewhenreplacingwindowsordoors.

ThermalandMoistureControl

Inadditiontothethermalcontrolprovidedbyinsulation,houseswithframeconstructionalsoneedmoisturecontrolandinternalairbarriersthatpreventmoldandothermoisturedamageandblockthefumesofunhealthybuildingmaterials.

Therearefourbasicapproachestowaterpenetrationcontrolinbuildings:

•MassThisinvolvestraditional,solidstructures,includingsolidconcrete,masonryandtimberstructures,whichshedmostsurfacewater,effectivelyabsorbtheremainder,andsubsequentlyreleaseabsorbedmoistureasavapor.

•BarrierThesestructuresaredesignedtocompletelyshedsurfacewaterwithnomoisturepenetrationandincludeexteriorinsulationfinishsystems(EIFS)andstuccoorclapboardwallsbuiltwithoutadrainageplane.

•InternaldrainageplaneStructuresusingthisapproachincludetypicalstuccoandclapboardwallsbuiltwithadrainageplaneormoisturebarrierlocatedbetweentheexteriorcladdingandthesupportingwallthatprovidesextramoistureresistance.

•RainscreenThisapproach,whichcanbeappliedtobrickveneercavitywalls,furred-outclapboardwalls,anddrainableEIFS,involvesamoisture-managementsystemincorporatingtheexteriorcladding,aircavity,drainage

planeandairtightsupportwalltoofferavarietyofmoisture-sheddingpathways.Therearetwotypesofrainscreens:simplerainscreensandpressure-equalizedrainscreens(PERs).

HowtoFindEco-FriendlyExteriorProductsFormoreinformationongreenexteriorproductchoices,visitthesesites:

•greendepot.comAnonlinegreenbuildingproductsretailerforhomeownersandprofessionals.Thesite’strainedstaffwillalsoofferproductguidance.

•buildinggreen.comAmembership-basede-commerceandinformationsiteforprofessionals.

•igreenbuild.comOffersinsightandexperttipsinLEEDcertification,sustainabledesign,energyconservation,greenbuildingmaterialsandhundredsofothercategories.

•treehugger.comSeeitsDesign+Architecturesectionforinformationonnewgreenproductsforthehome.

•lowimpactliving.comOnlinesourceforallkindsofgreenproducts.•builditgreen.orgAprofessionalnonprofitmembershiporganizationwhosemissionistopromotehealthy,energy-andresource-efficientbuildingsinCalifornia.

Simplerainscreensareeffectiveinclimateswithanannualprecipitationoflessthan60inches;PERsareeffectiveinclimateswithanannualprecipitationof60inchesormore.

Theapproachyourarchitectandbuilderuseswilldependonthestyleofyourhomeandthelevelofrainfallinyourarea.

Forahousewithaframeconstruction,specialfoundationdetailingwithintegratedflashingsystemsandlayersofmaterialmembraneswillprovidevariouslevelsofdamp-proofing,vaporcontrolandsoilgascontrol,includinglow-emissionproductstoblocktheentryofradon,ifthat’sanissueinyourarea.Asbuildingsbecometighterandbetterinsulated,thetransferofwatervaporthroughthebuildingshellhasbecomemoreproblematic.Withtheadditionof

throughthebuildingshellhasbecomemoreproblematic.Withtheadditionofthermalinsulationinthecavitywallsofhousesbuiltwithframeconstruction,moisturecanbecometrappedintheinsulation,ratherthanflowthroughthewalltoevaporateanddryout,andcanthereforeresultinmoldandrotthatcandamagetheassembly.Toavoidtheseconditions,yourarchitectandbuildershouldbeabletooffergreenoptionsforvarioussealants,membranesandroofunderlaymentstoprotectthestructureofyourhome.Tyvekhousewrapisonecommonvaporretardant,forexample.Theyshouldalsobeabletorecommendsite-andclimate-baseddesignstrategiesthatcanmitigateorcontrolpotentialproblems.

Ifyou’reremodelingahomeandopenyourwallstofindmoistureproblemssuchasrotandmold,donotattempttocleanorrepairtheproblemyourself,ascertaintypesofmoldareextremelyharmful.Contactaprofessionalinspectorwithexperienceinindoorair-qualityissues.

GuidanceonCreatinganEnergy-EfficientEnvelopeFormoreinformationoncomparisonsamongthedifferentkindsofinsulationandweatherproofing,visitthesesites:

•energystar.govOffersinformationonenergy-efficientwindowsanddoors,andaThermalBypassInspectionChecklistprovidesvaluableguidanceonallthestepsneededtoensureproperinstallation.Visitthe“AirSealandInsulation”sectionofthesiteformoreinformationoninstallationtechniques.

•toolbase.orgForamoredetaileddescriptionofvariousinsulationtypes.•greenguide.comForinformationoninsulationandothergreenissues.•eere.energy.gov/consumerTheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’sEnergyEfficiencyandRenewableEnergysiteforconsumersoffersinsightonmanyhomeenergy–relatedconcerns.

•pathnet.orgAvoluntarypartnershipbetweenleadersofthehomebuilding,productmanufacturing,insurance,andfinancialindustriesandrepresentativesoffederalagencies,ThePartnershipforAdvancingTechnologyinHousingofferssomesimpleguidanceonchoosingtherightinsulationforthejob,includingsomepopulargreenalternatives.

•naima.orgTheNorthAmericanInsulationManufacturersAssociation:an

industrytradegroupthatoffersinsightoninsulationalternatives.Orlookatitsconsumersite:simplyinsulate.com.

•eeba.orgTheEnergy&EnvironmentalBuildingAssociationoffersclimate-basedmoisture-controlstrategies.

Sustainablebrickwasusedasasidingmaterialonthiswoodframestructure,designedbyWesketchArchitecturetoresembleanEnglish-stylecottage.

ExteriorCladding

Theexteriorcladdingyouuseonyourhomeiskeytoitscharacteranditscurbappeal.Itsaestheticqualitiesshouldharmonizewithitsenvirons,butitshouldalsobesuitedtoyourlifestyleandclimate.Eventhemicroclimateofyoursiteshouldbetakenintoaccounttoavoidasidingfailure.Fromagreenperspective,asidingmaterialshouldbejudgedonitsabundanceandaccessibilityinyourareaaswellasitssustainability,durabilityandlackoftoxicity.Hereisabriefsummaryofsidingoptionsandtheirattributes,greenorotherwise.

•BrickInmosthouses,brickisusedasasidingmaterialonawoodframestructureratherthanastructuralmaterialitself.Good-qualitybrickisasustainablechoicethatwillwithstandmostoftheforcesthatdeteriorateothersidingproducts.Maintenanceappliesmostlytothemortarusedtoholdthebrickstogether;whilenewermortarmaterialmaynotrequiretuck-pointing

restorationasoften,itmayrequiremosscontrol,watersealingandthecorrectionofanydeterioratingbricksorsettlingcracks.

•WoodsidingTherearemanyvarietiesofwoodsiding,fromcedarshingles,traditionalbevelcedarsiding,plywoodproductsandverticalcedarsidingtovariousformsofpremanufacturedwoodsiding,suchashardboards,orientedstrandboard,plywoodandmasonites.Good-qualitywoodsidingisagoodgreenchoiceinmanyareasand,whenproperlymaintained,canremaininexcellentconditionforyears.Woodsiding,likeallotherproducts,needstobeproperlyinstalled,however.Butunlikemanyothersidingproducts,itcanbefairlyeasilyrepairedorreplaced.

Naturalshinglesidinggivestworenovatedhomestimelessappeal.Porticos,withtheirclassiccolumns,alongthefacadeaddtimelessstyletoonehouse.

Notallwoodsidingproductsareofequalquality.Thin,bevel,tight-knotsidingproducts,forexample,aretypicallymanufacturedfromyoungtrees,whichdonothavegooddimensionalstability,makingthempronetoshrinkage,warpingandsplitting.Andunlikeoldgrowthcedar,theydonotresistrotwell.Whencedarshinglesareusedasasidewallproduct,agoodqualitypaint,stainorsealershouldbeusedtominimizesplittingandwarping.Improperinstallationofsidingoverthevaporbarrierandinsulationcanresultinahigherhumiditycontentinthesiding,andeventuallyaddtopaintandmoisture-related

contentinthesiding,andeventuallyaddtopaintandmoisture-relateddeteriorationproblems.

Theotherhomewasasplit-leveldwellingconstructedafterWorldWarII.NewintersectingDutchgablesgiveitanewsenseoforderandcharacter.

•AluminumsidingThisisarelativelylow-maintenanceproductoverthefirstyearsofitslife,butitissubjecttodentsandblemishes.Italsorequirescarefulwashingandeventuallyrepainting.Becausemetalisconductive,it’snotapreferredgreenproduct.Apaintingjobonaluminumsidingmustbecarefullyprepared,usingaprimerspecificallyselectedforthesiding.Agoodcraftsmancanreplaceindividualpieceswithmatchingsidingasneeded,butsincecertainpatternsofaluminumsidingareoftendiscontinued,besuretostockuponafewextrapiecesofyourpatternforfuturereplacementifyouchoosethismaterial.

•VinylsidingThisproductismadeofpolyvinylchloride,whichproducespotentiallyserioustoxicityproblemsduringmanufactureanddisposal.However,itdoesnotrotorpeelanditcanworkquitewellinmanystandardhomedesigns,thoughitrequirescarefulinstallationorwatercanwickupbehindthesidingandrotthesheathingwallbehindit.Also,thesidingmustbeprotectedbyagoodroofoverhangandmustbewashedfromtimetotime.Heatfromoutdoorgrillscanmeltandburnit,anddifficultyfindingmatchingreplacementpiecescanmakeitveryhardtorepair.Fromagreenperspective,vinylsidingisnotaparticularlypopularoption.

Developedin1895,low-maintenancebarkshingles,nowavailablefrombarkhouse.com,requirenosealers,stainsorpaintandcanlastupto80years.

Themetalroof/sidingofthishouseisreflectiveanddramaticallyreducesthecostofcoolingitsinteriorspacesduringthesummermonths.

•StuccoOfteninstalledonmasonryoradobestructures,stuccoisaverycommonsidingmaterialinareaswithaMediterranean,orrelativelydry,climate.Madeofsand,limeandcement,itisn’trecommendedinwetclimates.Stuccoonolderwoodframehomeswasoftenappliedoverawoodlath,whichcandeteriorateovertimeandcrackandseparatefromthewallstructure,

resultinginmossandmildewgrowth,paintblisteringandnoticeablerepairpatches.

•ExteriorInsulationFinishSystems(EIFS)EIFSsidinginvolvestheapplicationofaplasticizedcementstuccoproductoveranexterior-mountedpolystyrenefoamboardinsulation,usuallytop-coatedwithanacrylicpolymersealant.Thesystempromiseslowcost,easeofapplicationandacleanlook.Butmoisturecanbetrappedbehindthesidingandcausewoodrotandotherdamage,promptinganumberofjurisdictionstobanEIFSsiding.Accordingtosomeindustryreports,thefailurerateofEIFSsidingishigherthanthatofanyothersidingsystemonthemarket,andsomeinsurancecompaniesarereportedlyrefusingtoinsurehomesandbuildingswiththistypeofsiding.TosolvesomeoftheproblemsassociatedwithEIFSsiding,variouswatermanagementsolutionsinvolvingmorecomplicatedflashingandcaulkingsystemsprovideforasecondaryshieldbehindtheEIFSsidingandforawaytodrainanywaterthatpenetratestheprimarywaterbarrier.

•PanelizedshinglesidingsystemsThistypeofsidingconsistsofshortpanelswithoneormorerowsofthinshingles,whicharelaminatedontoaplywood-likebase.Thefactory-fabricatedpanelsarelow-costandcanbequicklyinstalledatthebuildingsite,butthethinshinglesurfacesaremorepronetoweatherdamage,andthepanelstendtoexpandandbulge.Panelizedshinglesidingseemstoperformquitewellonexteriorsurfacesthatareprotected,properlyinstalled,primedandpainted.Thebestkindofpanelizedsidingusesathickershingle(1/2"orsoatthebottomedge).

•Manufacturedsidingandlapsiding(LP)Sidingmanufacturedfromorientedstrandboardandotherwoodcompositeshastheadvantageofbeingmanufacturedfromrelativelylow-costwoodandyoungtrees,thussavingmoneyandattemptingatamorebenignimpactontheenvironment,butreportsindicatethatmanyoftheseproductshaveexperiencedmoisture-relatedproblemsoftenrelatedtoitsinstallationrequirements.However,theyaredurableandtherangeinstylesisdiverse—youcangetstuccopanel,reverseboardandbatten,colonialbeadedlap,andevenstainableshakes.Andthey’reusuallytreatedtohelpresistfungaldecayandtermites.

•HardiBoardandHardiPlankSidingThesenewerproductsareconcretecompositesandlooklikebevelorlapsiding,andthereportsonthemarepromising.

HowtoFindEco-FriendlyExteriorProductsFormoreinformationonGreenexteriorproductchoices,visitthesesites:

•Greendepot.com:Anonlinegreenbuildingproductsretailerforhomeownersandprofessionals.Thesite’strainedstaffwillalsoofferproductguidance.

•BuildingGreen.com:Amembership-basede-commerceandinformationsiteforprofessionals.

•igreenbuild.com:OffersinsightandexperttipsinLEEDcertification,sustainabledesign,energyconservation,greenbuildingmaterialsandhundredsofothercategories.

•TreeHugger.com:SeeitsDesign+Architecturesectionforinformationonnewgreenproductsforthehome.

•Lowimpactliving.com:Onlinesourceforallkindsofgreenproducts.•Builtitgreen.com:Aprofessionalnonprofitmembershiporganizationwhosemissionistopromotehealthy,energyandresource-efficientbuildingsinCalifornia.

Roofing

Onagreenhome,awell-slopedroofwithaconsiderableoverhangisgenerallypreferredtoaflatorlow-slopedroof.Slopedroofsshedwaterquickly,andoverhangs,whichcanbesizedtosuitthesolarconditionsinyourarea,provideshadeinsummerandpermitsolarheatentryinwinter.Theyalsoprotectthewallsandfoundationfromwaterdamagebydirectingwaterawayfromthestructure.Watercanpuddleonflatroofs,whichhaveahigherfailurerate,andleadtomoisture-relatedproblems.

WesketchArchitecturecombinedthelatestbuildingtechnologywithhand-splitroofcedarshakes,reclaimedhand-cutcedarlogs,andsolidcedarbeamsandtrussworktosensitivelyremodelacarriagehouseonastonefoundationdesignedalmost90yearsagobyarchitectGeorgePost.

Notsolongago,roofchoiceswerelimitedmostlytoshingles,shakesandcompositionroofing.MetalroofsonresidentialconstructionwererareandceramictileroofswereusedmostlyintheSouthwesternstatesinthiscountry.Today,dozensofroofingproductsonthemarketmakethechoicealittlemoredifficult.

Manyofthenewroofingproductsarebeingdevelopedinresponsetotheshortcomingsofolderroofingmaterials,thedemandsofmodernbuildingtechniques,andevermorestringentbuildingcodes.Forexample,mostoftoday’sbuildingmaterialsaretestedandratedfortheirfireresistanceandflamespread.Similarly,mostroofingmaterialsarecoveredbyamanufacturer’swarranty,withtypicalwarrantiesrangingfrom20to40years.Costalonedoesnotdeterminequality,whichisgoodnews,sinceroofreplacementisoneofthemoreexpensiveaspectsofthetypicalhome’sconstructionandmaintenanceprogram.Thisbriefsummaryofcommonroofingoptionscanhelpyouhomeinonthebestchoiceforyou.

•AsphaltshinglesAlsoknownascompositionshingles,theyareusedonalmost80percentofNorthAmericanhomes,andarepopularduetotheirdurability,reasonablepriceandeaseofmaintenance.Asphaltshingleshaveeitherafiberglassmatbaseoracompositionbaseoforganicfelt,whichisablendofpaperandwoodfibers.Ineithercase,thebasematerialissoakedinanasphaltcompoundwithembeddedmineralgranules.Theseshinglesincludeavastarrayofcolors,profilesandtextures.Specialchemicalsarealsoblendedintotheshinglestomakethemmold-andalgae-resistant.Sunandraincancauseasphaltshinglestocrack.Becausetheseshinglesoutgaswhenheatedbythesun,however,greendesignersprefertoavoidthem.

•MetalThisroofingmaterialishighlyreflectiveandemissive,creatingwhatisknownasacoolroof,meaningitcanreducecoolingloadsby20percentormoreandhelpcoolurbanheatislands.Metalroofingcanbemadewithrecycledmaterialsandisrecyclableattheendofitslifecycle.Itisagoodchoiceforflatorlow-sloperoofs(roofswithslopesfrom¼to3inchesperfoot).Itisalsoidealinforested,moss-proneorrainyareas.Typicallymanufacturedfromsteel,aluminumorcopper,itislightweight,durable,fire-retardantandalmostmaintenance-free.Thecostofmetalroofingisinitiallyhigherthanthatofcompositionshingles,butithasalongerlifecycleandreducesenergycosts.

•ClayandconcretetilesTheseroofingelementscanbeceramic(e.g.,clayfiredatahightemperature)orfabricatedfromcementconcrete.Theycanwithstandharshelements,suchashail,windandfire,andtheylastalongtime:theirminimumdurationis50years.Roofingtilesareavailableinawiderangeofcolors.Thoughmoredataontheirsolarreflectancepropertiesisneeded,agoodstartingpointtouseforestimatingtheirreflectancewouldbethereflectanceofapaintcoatingofsimilarcolor.Tilewon’trotorburnandcan’tbeharmedbyinsects.Itisalsoenergyefficientandfireresistant.Tileroofsoftenhaveenhancedaircirculationcomparedtootherroofingtypesbecauseambientaircancirculatebelowaswellasabovethetile.Buttheyareveryheavyandrequirecertainstructuralstandardsfortheframeandroofdecking.Tilesarealsofragileandrathercostly.

•WoodshinglesIfrot-resistantwoods,suchascedar,areused,thisroofingmaterialcanbegoodinareaswherefiredangerislowandhumidityismoderate.Woodroofsshouldalsohaveaprovisionforaircirculationbelowthemtomakesuretheyalwaysremaindry.Thisenhancedaircirculationhelpstheroofshedsolarheatmorereadily.Theyarebeautiful,butrequirecareful

workmanshipandhighmaintenance,andshouldberepaired,cleanedandtreatedwithawoodpreservativeeverythreetofiveyears.Youcanalsogetthempretreatedwithapreservativeorfireretardant,whichgivesthemalifeexpectancyof30to50years.Azincorcopperstripappliedattheroofridgecanalsohelpwashwoodshingleswithapreservativewhenitrains.Theyarecostlierthanasphaltshinglesormetalbutcomparablewithtile.

•SlateThisisanexcellentroofingproduct,butnotallslatestandsupwellinwetclimates.Itislow-maintenance,noncombustibleandwilllastfrom50to150years.Itisalsothecostliestchoice.

Adeeproofoverhangprovidesshadeandprotectionfromtheelementsontheterraceofacontemporaryeco-friendlyhomebyEisnerDesign.

RoofingandSidingInformationandAdviceFormoreinformationontheselectionorremovalofroofingandsiding,contactthesesources:

•builditgreen.orgOffersawiderangeofinformationonvarioussidingandroofingoptions.

•YourlocalAirPollutionControlAgencyFormoreinformationaboutcementasbestossiding,asbestosabatement,andguidelinesforhomeownerswhowishtoundertaketheremovalofcementasbestossidingthemselves.

•(800)898-2842(NAHB)or(800)294-EIMA(theEIFStradeassociation)FortheindustrypointofviewonEIFS.

•YourlocalHouseholdHazardousWasteInformationHotlineForinformationonhowtodisposeofleftoverpaintsandotherhouseholdproductsinaccordancewiththelaw.

•metalroofing.comandthemetalinitiative.comForinformationoncool-roofoptions.

•YourstateDepartmentofLaborandIndustries,OfficeofHealthandSafetyForinformationonhowtoaddressconcernsrelatedtohomespaintedwitholderexteriorpaintproductsthatoftencontainhighlevelsoflead.Paintchipsandsandingdustfromsuchbuildingscanbeingestedorinhaledbysmallchildrenorcancontaminatethesoil.

•paintquality.comTheRohmandHaasPaintQualityInstitute’ssiteforpainttipsandinformation.

Thebeautiful,budget-friendlyhorizontalcladdingaroundthebaseofthisnewlyconstructedhomeismadefromstripsofreclaimedlodgepolepine.

WindowsandDoors

Windowsanddoorsplayavitalroleindefiningthecharacterofyourhome,butinnovationsinwindowanddoortechnologyhaveenabledthesebuildingcomponentstoplayamoresignificantroleinimprovingenergyefficiency,too.Whiletherangesinstylesandpricesarevast,customoptionsgiveyouevenmorecontrolovertheiraestheticandfunctionalcharacteristics.Forreplacementwindowsinrenovationsorrestorations,forexample,somemanufacturers,suchasMarvin,provideoptionsthatallowyoutopreciselyrecreateahistoricwindowwhileincorporatingthelatestenergy-efficientglazingtechnologyandframes,enablingyoutoinstallnewwindowswithminimaldisruptiontointeriorsurfaces

enablingyoutoinstallnewwindowswithminimaldisruptiontointeriorsurfacesandfinishes.Others,suchasJeld-Wen,offerframeoptionsmadewithsustainablyharvestedwood.Andersen,ontheotherhand,offerswindowsmadefromanewsustainablematerialthecompanycallsFibrex,whichismadefromreclaimedwoodfibersfromtheirmanufacturingprocess.

ArchitectYianniDoulisusedIpewoodforthisfrontporchdeckandstairsandframedthepergolawithFSC-certifiedcedar.

High-performanceoculus,clerestoryanddouble-hungwindowsaddcharacterandfunctiontoahomebyWesketchArchitecture.

Mostwindowanddoormanufacturersoffertoolsontheirwebsitesthatcanhelpyouselectneworreplacementwindowsthatsuityourenergy,aestheticandbudgetaryrequirements.Fromagreenperspective,however,therearecertainperformanceandtoxicityissuesthatyoushouldconsiderwithyourwindowsanddoors.

•Energy-efficiencyandUVprotectionToincreaseenergyefficiencyandcomfortinyourhome,chooseEnergyStar–rateddualpanelow-ewindows.Thepanesoflow-ewindowshaveametal-oxidecoatingthatadmitsthesun’svisiblelightbutreflectsinfraredheatandultravioletraysinsummer,cuttingdemandforcoolingenergy.Inwinter,indoorheatisreflectedbackintothehouse,reducingheatingdemand.Thecoatingcanbeadaptedtosuitvariousclimates.Also,thespacesbetweenthepanesofsomewindowsarefilledwithargon,kryptonorothernontoxicgasesformoreinsulation.Andinverycoldclimates,askforwindowswiththreeormorepanes.Thesequalitiesshouldalsobesoughtinsidelightsordecorativewindowsinexteriordoors.Ifyou’renotinapositiontopurchasenewwindows,youcanapplyUVwindowfilmtoyourwindows,whichcanhelpimprovetheireffectivenessandefficiency.

Variouswindowfilmfrom3m,forexample,reducestheeffectsofsolarheatandvisiblelightonyourfurnishings;willblock99percentofthesun’sharmfulultravioletraysandprovideuptoa79percentreductioninthesun’sheat,reducingthecostofyourenergybill.

•MoistureissuesIfthedrainagechannelsofyourwindowsaren’tworkingproperly,orifthewindowsarepoorlyinstalledwithimproperflashing,watercanseepintothebuildingcavityandcausestructuraldamage.Havethewindowstestedforproperdrainageduringconstruction.

•MaterialsandfinishesFromagreenperspective,therereallyisnoperfectwindowframe.Vinylandwoodframesaremoreenergy-efficientthanaluminumframes,whichalsorequirealotofenergytoproduce.Butvinylframesoff-gasandcreatetoxicityissuesduringtheirmanufactureanddisposal.Andsincewoodframescanbemadefromold-growthtrees,theyareoftendippedinafungicide,thoughtheycanbesealedtocontainchemicalexposure.

Chemicallysensitivepeopleshouldchoosesteeloraluminumwindowswithabaked-onfinish.Mostmanufacturersalsoproducecladframesthathavewoodinsideandsteel,aluminumorfiberglasscoveringontheoutside,whichprovidesUVandweatherprotectionandeliminatestheneedformaintenancewithpaints,sealsandstains.Thatsaid,hereareafewbenefitsofvarioustypesofframes:

Rot-andinsect-resistantWesternRedCedarsidingandarecycledsteelsolarshademakethishome,builtbyMcDonaldConstruction,beautifulandsustainable.

•Vinylandfiberglasswindowsworkwellandarerelativelylowpricedanddurable.Ifyoudecideonvinylwindows,choosegoodonesandmakesurethattheyareinstalledtolastsoastoreducemanufactureofnewonesandtheamountofvinylthatendsupaswaste.Fiberglassframesarealsoenergyefficientandextremelydurable.

•Aluminumwindowshavethinnerframesthanvinylorwoodwindowsandareavailableinanaturalaluminumorabronze/brownfinish.Theyareagoodchoiceforstormwindowsandnewonesareassembledinawaythatreduces“sweating,”adrawbackoftheolderversions.

•Woodwindowsareaestheticallyappealingandtheirqualityrangesfrompoortooutstanding.Theyalsohavetheabilitytoreplicatehistoricandtraditionalwindowstyles.Good-qualitywoodwindowsaremoreexpensivethanvinylandaluminumunits.

Energy-efficientdual-pane,low-ewindowsadmitsunlightwhilescreeningoutdamaginginfraredandultravioletrays.

DOORS•FrameandcoreWoodcladding,fiberglassandsteeldoorswithpolyurethanefoamcoresareamongthemostenergy-efficientexteriordoorsavailable.Solidandpaneledwooddoorsareoftenmadewithtoxicgluesandtreatedwithbiocides.Fire-rateddoorsoftencontainparticleboardcoresthatcontinuouslyoutgasformaldehyde.Toavoidchemicalexposurefromthesetypesofdoors,sealthedooronallsideswithanontoxicsealerorprimer,andpaintwithlow-VOCproducts.And,ifpossible,choosedoorsmadewithsolvent-freeadhesives.

•WeatherstrippingDoorswithnewframesmayalsoincludeamagneticstriptocreateatightersealthatreducesairandwaterleakageandnoise,andmakesyourhomemoreenergyefficient.Manytypesofweatherstrippingaremadefromsyntheticmaterialsthatoutgas,suchasneoprene,polypropylenenylonorurethanefoam.Brassandstainlesssteelweatherstripping,availableatmany

hardwarestores,canbealesstoxicalternative.

WindowReplacementDosandDon’tsReplacingoldwindowsmayaddvalueaswellasenergyefficiencytoyourhouse,butthatisthehardestparttoevaluate.Anaccuratecalculationofthenetvalueofwindowsinthesaleofahomeisalmostimpossibletoascertainandisoneoftheleastcompellingreasonstoreplacethewindowsinyourhome.Here,afewdosanddon’tsonreplacement:

•Dochoosewindowsthatareenergyefficient,haveoperablesashesthatopenandshuteasily,withframesthatrequireverylittlemaintenanceorrepair.

•Don’treplaceyourwindowsjustbecausethereisadiscountorsomeotherweeklypromotion.

•Dochoosewindowsthatcanhelpreducemoistureandcondensationproblemsandcanbefittedwithinsectscreens.

•Don’treplaceoldleaded-glassorsimilarfinehistoricwindowsthatcanbemaintainedorrepaired.Ifyouarefortunateenoughtohavewindowsthataddcharactertoyourhome,havethemrestoredandaddstormwindowstotheoutside.

•Doreusetheouterframeandtrimoftheexistingwindowsifpossible.Todothis,removetheoldglassandsashes.Carefullyinspecttheexistingframestomakesurethattheyareingoodconditionandcanlastforthelifeofyournewsashes.Oneareaoffrequentdamageistheexteriorwindowsill.Smalldefectscanberepaired.Insertthereplacementwindowintotheoldsashes.Keepingtheexistinginteriorandexteriorwindowtrimcanalsosaveyoumoneyandhelpyoupreservethestyleofyourhome.

SCREENSIngeneral,aluminumandstainlesssteelscreensforwindowsanddoorsarepreferablegreenoptionsoverfiberglassornylonmeshscreens,whichcanoutgasandareoftentreatedwithpesticides.

PaintsandStainsJustasyouwouldseektofinishinteriorwallsorwoodsurfaceswithlow-orno-VOCpaintsandstainstoenhanceindoorairquality,exteriorwoodshingles,masonryandothersidingshouldbetreatedwitheco-friendlyfinishes,too.Anewcoatofexteriorpaintisfunctional—itprotectsthehomefromrain,snow,windandsundamage.Butinadditiontoimprovingthelifeofyourhome’sskin,paintrevivescurbappealandcanpumpupthevalueofahome.

Asinterestingreenmanufacturingprocessesandproductsincreases,manyeco-friendlyexteriorfinishproductsarebecomingavailableinthemarket,includingWeather-Bos’snontoxic,low-VOCfinishesmadefromnaturaloilsandresinsthatpenetratedeeplyintowood,masonryandothermaterials.Thisprovidesprotectionnotonlyfromtheelements,butfrommoldandmildewaswell.BenjaminMoore’sAuraexteriorpaintcontainsoneofthelowestVOC(volatileorganiccompound)levelsofanypaint,exceedingthemoststringentenvironmentalregulations.Italsoprovidesunsurpassedperformance,offersenvironmentalsafeguards,emitslowodorandisspeciallyformulatedwithagentsthatinhibitthegrowthofmildew.

Yourarchitectshouldbeabletohelpyousortthroughtheeco-friendlyoptionsforthebestproductforyourhome’sneeds.

PeelingPaintTipAgoodexteriorpaintjobshouldlast10to15years.Prematurepaintdeteriorationisoftentheresultofmoistureandwatervapor,whichoriginatesinsidethehomeandpenetratesthroughthewallandsiding.Ifyouseeblisteringorotherpaintdeteriorationonanexteriorsurface,onecommoncauseisafailingtuborshowerwall.Thistypeofexteriorpaintdamagecannotbecorrectedunlessthecauseofthemoistureorwatervaporisfirsteliminatedandassociatedrepairsaremade.Acarefulinspectionoftheexteriorandinteriorofthehomeshouldbeperformedbeforeexteriorsidingandpaintingworkbegins.

ChoosingEco-FriendlyWoodBuildingProducts

•Choosecertifiedsustainablyharvestedwood.Tobesurethatanywoodyoupurchasehasbeensustainablyharvested,demandthatitbecertifiedbyathird-partyorganizationaccreditedbytheForestStewardshipCouncil,theleadinginternationalorganizationthatsetsstandardsforgreenforestryandwoodharvesting.Toavoidproblemswithchemicalsensitivitythattreatmentsformold,rotandpestscancause,choosewoodfromacertifierthatusestheleasttoxictreatments.Alsobesurethewoodwaskilndriedandisfreeofmoldandmildew.Ifpossible,choosefir,hemlockorspruceoverpineorcedar,whosenaturalterpenescanbeproblematicforchemicallysensitivepeople.

•Choosebenignwoodtreatments.Woodsareusuallytreatedtopreventrotorinsectormoldinfestation.Someofthetreatments,suchasthosethatcontaincreosoteandpentachlorophenol,arequitetoxic.Instead,choosewoodtreatedwithBioShield,Bora-Careorlow-toxicitytreatmentsavailableonthemarket.

•Choosehealthywoodadhesives.Woodadhesivescancontainharmfulsolvents,sourgeyourarchitectandbuildertoworkwithhealthierwoodadhesives,suchasElmer’sCarpenterGlue,Dap/DowCorningsiliconesealantandothersaferglues.

•Replacepressure-treatedlumber.Duringthelast25yearsorsoofthe20thcentury,lumberwaspressure-treatedwithchromatedcopperarsenateorammoniacalcopperarsenatethatisextremelytoxictohumansandtheenvironment.Ifyou’reremodelingandhavedecksorotherstructuresmadewiththistypeofwood,trytosafelyremoveitandreplaceitwithasaferalternative.Ifyou’rebuildingnew,useanontoxicalternative,suchasNatureWood,orotheruntreatedorsafelytreatedwoods,especiallyforwoodusedassillplatesatopastemorfoundationwall.

•Safelysealwoodcompositeproducts,suchastrussjoints,withasafeproductsuchasB-I-NPrimerSealertoavoidVOCemissionsintothehome.

LivingHealthilyandEnergy-Efficiently

Naturallight,efficientlightfixturesandEnergyStar–ratedappliancescontributetoaneco-friendlykitchen.

HARVESTINGANDSAVINGENERGY

It’spracticallyimpossibletoimagineaworldwithoutelectricity.Wedependonitforsomuchofwhatwedo.Sincethefirstcentralpowerplantbegangeneratingelectricityinourcountryinthe1880s,ithasbecomeourdominantenergyformandpowersthecontemporarytechnologiesthatenhanceourqualityoflife.

Today,Americanhomesusemoreelectricitythanever,whichisn’tsurprisingwhenyouconsiderthattheaverageU.S.householdowns25consumerelectronicsproducts.Infact,thepercentageofU.S.energyconsumedinelectricformhasquadrupledsince1940.Electricity,forexample,nowpowersmorethan176millionpersonalcomputersandournationalnetworkof208millioncellularphones,amongamultitudeofotherappliancesandhomeelectronics.Furthermore,Americanhomesarebiggerthaneveranduse21percentmoreelectricitytodaythantheydidinthelate1970s.

Despiteenormousgainsinenergyefficiency,rapidpopulationgrowthandanexpandingdigitaleconomywillcauseasubstantialincreaseinelectricitydemandoverthenext25years.ThismeansAmerica’selectriccompanieswillneedtogeneratemorepowertomeetourdemandsforreliableelectricity.Atthesametime,capacitymarginsaredeclininginmostU.S.regionsand,withinthenext2to3years,theywilllikelydropbelowminimumtargetlevelsinseveralareasofthecountry.Theelectricitydeliverysystem—thetransmissiongridthatdelivershigh-voltageelectricityfromgeneratorstothedistributionlinesthatreducethevoltageanddeliverittoretailcustomers—isalsooverburdened.Furthermore,thedeliverysystemhasanaginginfrastructure,largelyreflectingtechnologydevelopedmorethan50yearsago.

ThepublicdebateoverU.S.policytoaddressclimatechangeisintensifyingandCongressandpolicymakerscontinuetodiscusswhattypeoffederalactionorlegislationisneededtoreducecarbondioxideandothergreenhousegasemissions.Butnomatterhowweasanationchoosetoaddressglobalwarming,asustainedcommitmentbytheelectricpowerindustryandpolicymakerstodevelopingawiderangeoftechnologiesoverseveraldecadeswillbekeyinsolvingtheproblem.

Whiletheelectricpowerindustryleadsallothersectorsintakingvoluntary

Whiletheelectricpowerindustryleadsallothersectorsintakingvoluntaryactionstoreducegreenhousegasemissions,about49percentofthefuelthatAmerica’selectriccompaniesrelyontogenerateelectricitycomesfromcoal,theburningofwhichcontributesheavilytogreenhousegasemissions.Buttheyalsodependonavarietyofotherfuels,includingnuclearenergy,naturalgas,fueloil,andhydropowerandotherrenewablesources.Fueldiversityprotectseveryone—electriccompaniesandcustomersalike—fromproblemssuchasfuelunavailability,pricefluctuations,andchangesinregulatorypracticesthatcandriveupthecostofaparticularfuel.Fueldiversityalsohelpsensurestabilityintheelectricitysupply.

Fromagreenperspective,renewableenergysources—fuelsthatcanbenaturallyreplenished—arethefuelsofchoicetoprotecttheplanet.Hydropowerisournation’sdominantrenewableresource,providing7percentoftotalU.S.electricitysupply.Non-hydrorenewableenergysources—suchassolarpower,wind,geothermalpower,andbiomass—nowgenerateonlyabout3percentofthesupply.Buttheelectricpowerindustryhasexpandedtheuseofnon-hydrorenewableenergyresourcesforgeneratingelectricityduringthelastdecade.Windpoweristhefastest-growingrenewableenergysource,withwindfarmscurrentlyoperatingin32states.Anumberofstatesalsoareencouragingthedevelopmentofrenewableenergyresourcesbasedontheirparticularcircumstancesandavailableresources.Todate,morethanhalfthestatesintheU.S.,plustheDistrictofColumbia,haveadoptedmandatoryrenewableenergyportfoliostandards.

Wecanallplayaroleinfast-forwardingthistransition.Forexample,theAllianceforClimateProtection,anonprofit,nonpartisaneffortfoundedbyNobelLaureateandformervicepresidentAlGore,urgespeopletoaskbusinessandelectedleaderstomovetowardaworldpoweredbycleanenergy.Itsleaderssuggeststartingbylettingyourutilitycompanyknowthatinsteadofcoalpoweryouwanttobuysolar,windorgeothermalenergy;informingyourmayorthatyouwantcityplanningthatencouragesmoreefficientnewbuildingsaswellassidewalksandbikepaths;andaskingstateandnationalofficialstodeveloppoliciesthatencourageinvestorstomakelong-termcommitmentstocleanenergy.AccordingtotheAlliance,arecentreporthasalsoshownthatinvestmentinacleanandefficienteconomywould“leadtoover3millionnewgreen-collarjobs,stimulate$1.4trillioninnewGDP[grossdomesticproduct],addbillionsinpersonalincomeandretailsales,produce$284billioninnetenergysavings,allwhilegeneratingsufficientreturnstotheU.S.Treasurytopayforitselfover10years.”

Energy-efficientwindowscanbecustommadetomimichistoricalstyles.

OneeffortcalledtheBuildersChallenge,whichisspearheadedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy(DOE),isastepintherightdirection.Theprogramisavoluntaryeffort,challengingAmerica’shomebuilderstobuild220,000high-performancehomesintothemarketplaceby2012,andspurringstrongconsumerdemandforthesehomes.TheDOE’sultimatevisionistogiveconsumerstheopportunitytobuyanaffordablenetzeroenergyhome(NZEH)—agrid-connectedhomethat,overthecourseofayear,producesasmuchenergyasituses—by2030anywhereintheUnitedStates.

HalogenfixturesalongwithlargewindowsandglassdoorsprovideefficientnaturalandartificialilluminationinthiskitchenbyEisnerDesign.

SimpleWaystoProtectthePlanetYoucansavemoneyandreduceyourowncontributiontoglobalwarmingbymakingclimate-friendlychoiceseachday.HereareafewsimpletipsfromtheAllianceforClimateProtectionforlivingamoreclimate-friendlylife:

•Turndownorturnofftheheatandairconditioningwhenyouaren’thome.Tryusingaprogrammablethermostatorsettingyourthermostatyourselfto68degreeswhileyouareawakeand60degreeswhileyouareasleeporawayfromhome.Inthesummer,keepthethermostatat78degreeswhileyouareathome,butgiveyourairconditioningarestwhenyouareaway.Thiswillallowyoutosaveabout10percentayearonyourhomeenergycosts.IfeveryhouseinAmericadidthis,ourtotal

greenhousegasproductionwoulddropbyabout35milliontonsofCO2.Thisisaboutthesameastaking6millioncarsofftheroad.

•Chooseenergy-efficientappliances.Becausetheyuselessenergy,EnergyStar–ratedappliancescanreducecarbonpollutionandhaveabigimpactonyourenergybill—justlookfortheEnergyStarlogo.EnergyStarproductstypicallyexceedthefederalenergystandardsbyatleast15percent.Whenbuyingappliancesthatusethemostenergyinyourhome,likeheaters,airconditioners,waterheatersandrefrigerators,alsousetheEnergyGuidecardpostedontheappliancetohelpyouchoosetheonewiththelowestannualenergyconsumption.Heatingandcoolingusesabouthalfoftheenergyinatypicalhomeandcanaccountforabout$1,500inannualcosts.

•Switchtocompactfluorescentbulbs.Accordingtothegovernment’sEnergyStarprogram,ifeveryAmericanhomereplacedtheirfivemost-usedlightfixtureswithEnergyStar–ratedcompactfluorescents,thesavingswouldaddupto$8billionannuallyinenergycosts.That’sliketakingalmost10millioncarsofftheroad.CFLsarewidelyavailable,affordable,andtheylast10timeslongerthantraditionalbulbs.

•Washyourclotheswithcoldwater.Ifyouusuallyusehotwaterforyourlaundry,youcancutyourenergyconsumptioninhalfbychoosingwarmwater,andupto90percentifyouchoosecold.Yourcurrentliquidlaundrydetergentshouldworkfine.Ifnot,specialcold-waterdetergentsareavailable.Yourclothesshouldbejustasclean,andyou’llthankyourselfwhentheelectricitybillarrives.

•Switchtogreenpower.Itislikelythatmostoftheelectricityyouusecomesfromnonrenewablesourceslikecoal.However,therearesomeutilitiesthatwillsellyouclimate-friendlyelectricitylikewind,biomassorsolarpowerifyouaskforit.Morethan750utilitiesin37statesoffergreenpowerproducts,andsigningupcanbeveryeasy.Tofindoutwhatyouroptionsare,checkouttheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’smapat:eere.energy.gov/greenpower/buying/buying_power.shtml,orcontactyourlocalenergycompanydirectly.And,whenyousignupforgreenpower,askyourutilitywheneveryonewillbegettingcleanenergy.

Formoreinformationandideasonhowyoucanreversetheeffectsofclimatechange,visittheAlliance’swebsiteatwecansolveit.org.

BuyingCleanEnergy

AccordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy,theelectricityindustryisalreadyundergoingatransformation.Atleast50percentofcustomersnowhavetheoptiontopurchaserenewableelectricity,alsoknownas“greenpower”or“cleanpower,”directlyfromtheirpowersupplier,andeveryonehastheoptionofpurchasingrenewableenergycertificates.Inmoststates,youcanbuycleanpowerthroughoneormoreofthefollowingprograms:

•GreenpricingSomepowercompaniesnowprovideanoptionalgreenpricingservicethatallowscustomerstopayasmallpremiuminexchangeforelectricitygeneratedfromclean,renewableenergysources.

•CompetitiveelectricitymarketsCertainstateshaverestructuredtheirelectricityindustrytoallowcompetitionamongelectricitygenerators.Insomeofthesestates,cleanpowergenerators,whospecializeinproducingelectricityusingrenewablesources,takeadvantageoftherestructuredmarkettosellcleanpowerproductstocustomerswhowillopttopayslightlymoreforrenewableenergyproductsandservicesthatreflecttheirenvironmentalvalues.

•GreencertificatesMoreclean-powergeneratorsarenowseparatingthepowerthattheyselltopowerprovidersfromtheenvironmentalattributesassociatedwiththatpower.Theseenvironmentalattributesarerepresentedby“greencertificates,”“greentags,”“renewableenergycertificates”or“tradablerenewablecertificates.”Theyaresoldtocompaniesandindividualswhowanttohelpincreasetheamountofcleanpowerenteringournation’selectricitysupply.Byseparatingtheenvironmentalattributesfromthepower,cleanpowergeneratorscanselltheelectricitytheyproducetopowerprovidersatacompetitivemarketvalue.Someoftheextrarevenueencouragesthedevelopmentofadditionalrenewableenergyprojects.Manyorganizationsoffergreenenergyorrenewableenergycertificatesthatcanbepurchasedseparatelyfromyourcurrentelectricityservice,too.Thepremiumyoupayfortheseoptionsoffsetstheextracostspowercompaniesincurinpurchasingand/orgeneratingelectricityfromrenewablesources.

High-efficiencyappliancescomplementbamboo-plywoodcabinetsandrecycledpullsinthegreenkitchenofLEED-certifiedarchitectRickRenner.

TypesofLarge-ScaleRenewableTechnologies

Renewableenergytechnologiescangenerateelectricityonalargescaleforresidential,commercialandwholesalecustomers—andyoumayfindthatyoucanuseoneofthe“greenpower”buyingstrategiestoaccessthem.Thesetechnologiesinclude:

•HydropowerCurrentlythelargestandleastexpensivesourceofrenewableelectricityproducedintheUnitedStates,large-andsmall-scalehydropowerprojectsarecommonlyusedbyclean-powergeneratorstoproduceelectricity,andaccountfor10percentofthenation’selectricity.Mosthydropowerprojectsuseadamandareservoirtoretainwaterfromariver.Waterstoredinareservoircanbeaccessedquicklyforuseduringtimeswhenthedemandforelectricityishigh.UsedthroughouttheUnitedStates,hydropowerismorecommonontheWestCoast,especiallyinthenorthwesternUnitedStates.

•BiomassBiomasselectricalgeneration,alsoknownasbiopower,issecondonlytohydropowerasarenewableenergysource.Mostelectricitygenerated

usingbiomassisdonethroughdirectcombustionusingconventionalboilers,whichburnmostlywastewoodproductsgeneratedbytheagricultureandwood-processingindustries.BiomassresourcesareabundantacrosstheeasternhalfoftheUnitedStates,andthus,mostoperatingbiomasspowerplantsarelocatedthere.

•ConcentratingsolarpowerLarge-scaleconcentratingsolarpowertechnologiesincludeparabolictroughsandpowertowers.Parabolictroughsystemsconcentratethesun’senergythroughlong,rectangularcurvedreflectorsthataretiltedtowardthesun,focusingthesun’senergyonapipethatrunsdownthecenterofthetrough.Thesun’senergyheatsoilflowingthroughthepipe,andthehotoilboilswaterinaconventionalsteamgeneratortoproduceelectricity.Theyhaveaproventrackrecordoffunctioningeffectivelyforlarge-scalepowerneedsandcurrentlyoffertheleastexpensivewaytoproducesolarelectricity.Powertowershavealsoshowntheirefficacyindemonstrationprojects,buttheyarenotyetinusecommercially.Concentratingsolarpower’srelativelylowcostandabilitytodeliverpowerduringperiodsofpeakdemandmeansitcanbeamajorcontributortothenation’sfutureenergyneeds.ThesetechnologiesfunctionmostefficientlyinthesouthwesternUnitedStates,whichreceivesthegreatestamountofsun.

•GeothermalHeatfromtheEarth—geothermalenergy—heatswaterthathasseepedintoundergroundreservoirs,andenergyfromhigh-temperaturereservoirs(225º–600ºF)canbeusedtoproduceelectricity.Therearecurrentlythreetypesofgeothermalpowerplants:

Drysteamplantsusesteamfromundergroundwellstorotateaturbine,whichactivatesageneratortoproduceelectricity.OfthetwoknownundergroundresourcesofsteamintheUnitedStates,theGeysersinnorthernCaliforniaandOldFaithfulinYellowstoneNationalPark,theGeysersaretheonlysourceusedfordrysteamplantsinthecountry,sinceYellowstoneisprotected.Flashsteamplantsarethemostcommontypeofgeothermalpowerplantandusewatersattemperaturesgreaterthan360ºF.Asthehotwaterflowsupthroughwells,thedecreaseinpressurecausessomeofthewatertoboilintosteam,whichisusedtopoweragenerator.Binarycycleplantsusetheheatfromlower-temperaturereservoirs(225º–360ºF)toboilaworkingfluid,whichisthenvaporizedinaheatexchangerandusedtopoweragenerator.IntheUnitedStates,geothermalenergyhasbeenusedtogenerateelectricityonalargescalesince1960andisnowbecoming

morecost-effectiveandcompetitivewithfossilfuels.Currentdrillingtechnologylimitsthedevelopmentofgeothermalresourcestorelativelyshallowwater-orsteam-filledreservoirs,mostofwhicharefoundinthewesternpartoftheUnitedStates.Butresearchersaredevelopingnewtechnologiesforcapturingtheheatindeeper,dryrocks,whichwouldsupportdrillingalmostanywhere.

•Photovoltaics(solar)Solarcells,alsocalledphotovoltaics(PV),areusedtoeconomicallypoweranythingfromwatchesandcalculatorstowholehouses.PVtechnologiesproduceelectricitydirectlyfromsunlight,whichstrikesasolarcellwhosesemiconductormaterialsabsorbaportionofthatlight.Energyfromtheabsorbedlightthenstrikeselectronsintheoutershellofanatom,freeingtheelectronstotravelintoacircuitintheformofelectricity.

SolarpanelshelpsupplyenergytotheurbanhomeofarchitectRickRenner,whoaddednewinsulation,triple-glazedwindows,andefficientHVACequipment.

ThesolarresourceacrosstheUnitedStatesisampleforPVsystemsbecause

ThesolarresourceacrosstheUnitedStatesisampleforPVsystemsbecausetheyusebothdirectandscatteredsunlight.ButtheamountofpowergeneratedbyaPVsystemdependsonhowmuchofthesun’senergyreachesit.Asaresult,PVsystems—likeothersolartechnologies—functionbestinthesouthwesternUnitedStates,whichreceivesthemostsunlight.

•WindManypowerprovidersusewindplantstosupplypowertotheircustomerstoday.Tomeettheelectricityneedsofapowercompany,manylargewindturbinesarebuiltclosetogethertoformawindplant.Windenergycanbeproducedanywhereintheworldwherethewindblowswithastrongandconsistentforce.Windierlocationsproducemoreenergy,loweringthecostofproducingelectricity.WindresourcesarefoundinmostregionsoftheUnitedStates,butmostusablewindresourcesintheU.S.arefoundinthewesternplainsstates.

GeneratingYourOwnCleanElectricity

Somehomeownersareactuallybeginningtogenerateelectricityusingtheirownsmallrenewableenergysystems.Ifyou’rewillingtoinvestthetimeandmoneytoresearch,buyandmaintainit,arenewableenergysystemcanbeusedtosupplysomeorallofyourelectricityneeds.Ifyouusetheelectricityfromyourownsysteminplaceofelectricitysuppliedbyapowerproviderorelectricutility,itiscalledastand-aloneoroff-gridsystem.Inremotelocations,thesesystemscanbemorecost-effectivethanextendingapowerlinetotheelectricitygrid,whichcancostfrom$15,000to$50,000permile.Youcanalsoconnectyoursystemtothegridanduseittoreducetheamountofconventionalpowersuppliedtoyouthroughthegrid.SincethePublicUtilityRegulatoryPolicyActrequirespowerproviderstopurchaseexcesspowerfromgrid-connected,smallrenewableenergysystemsatarateequaltowhatitcoststhepowerprovidertoproducethepoweritself,agrid-connectedsystemletsyousellwhateverexcesspoweryoumightproducebacktoyourpowerprovider.

Beforeyoupurchaseandinstallasmallrenewableenergysystem,you’llneedtounderstandandcalculateyourelectricityloadstoseeifoneofthesmallrenewableenergysystemscanmeetallorenoughofyourelectricityneeds.You’llalsoneedtoresearchyourlocalcodesandotherrequirementsforinstallingsuchasystem.Indeterminingwhetheranyofthesetechnologiesareviableforyou,therearemanyvariablestoconsider,includingthesizeofyourlot,zoningrestrictions,windspeedsorsunconditionsinyourarea,thecostand

amountofelectricityyouuse,whetheryourutilityoffersnetmetering,andtheavailabilityofstaterebatesandincentives.Formoreinformationonallofthesetechnologies,visittheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’sEnergyEfficiencyandRenewableEnergywebsite(eere.energy.gov).

Ifyouplantobuildanewhomeandasmallrenewableenergysystemisfeasibleforyou,workwithyourarchitect,builderorcontractortoincorporatethesystemintoyourwholehousedesign.Therenewableenergytechnologiesavailabletogenerateyourownelectricityaresimilartothelarge-scaletechnologies.Theseincludesmallsolarelectricsystems,smallwindelectricsystems,micro-hydropowersystemsandsmallhybridelectricsystems,whichcombinesolarandwindtechnologies.

InnovativeshinglesfromEagleRoofingProductsareactuallysolarcollectorsthatharnessenergywhilemergingseamlesslywiththedesignofthestructure.

WhatIsaNetZeroEnergyHome?ANetZeroEnergyHomecombinesstate-of-the-art,energy-efficientconstructionandapplianceswithcommerciallyavailablerenewableenergysystems,suchassolarwaterheatingandsolarelectricity.Thecombinationresultsinahomethatproducesitsownenergy—asmuchormorethanitneeds.Eventhoughthehomemightbeconnectedtoautilitygrid,ithasnetzeroenergyconsumptionfromtheutilityprovider.ANetZeroEnergyHomecanbedesignedtocontinuefunctioningevenduringblackouts,andthefactthatsuchahomeproducesenergyprotectsitsownerfromfluctuationsinenergyprices.It’salsoenvironmentallysustainable,asitsavesenergyandreducespollution.

HEATING,VENTILATIONANDAIRCONDITIONING

HeatingandcoolingsystemsaccountformorethanhalfoftheenergyuseinatypicalU.S.home.Toreducetheenergyconsumptionandcostofcoolingandheating,thefirststepistomaximizeyourhome’sefficiency.Ifyou’reremodelingyourhome,thismeansaddingtherecommendedlevelsofinsulation,installingenergy-efficientwindowsanddoors,applyingweatherstripping,andsealinggapsandcracksinopeningsandjointswithaneco-friendlycaulk.Ifyou’rebuildinganewgreenhome,itmeanssitinganddesigningyourhomeinawaythatmaximizespassiveheatingandcoolingtechniques,andcreatinganenvelopethatistightandefficient.

Onceyou’vedonethis,decideonthetypeofsystemyouwantandworkwithacontractortofigureouttheoptimumsizeforit.Ifyou’rethinkingofreplacingorupgradinganexistingheatingandcoolingsystem,firstlearnaboutthelimitationsofyourcurrentsystemandavailableenergysourcesinyourarea.Whenchoosingasystemforanewhouse,you’llhaveawiderarrayofoptions.

Asleek,straightforwardceilingfanoverthekitchenareaprovideslow-techventilationinthisopen-planspace.

SelectingaSystem

Therearealotoftechnologiesavailableforheatingandcoolingyourhome,eachwithadvantagesanddisadvantages.Inaddition,manyheatingandcoolingsystemshavesupportingequipment,suchasthermostatsandelectricorgasmeters,whichprovideadditionalopportunitiesforsavingenergy.Whenchoosingaheatingandcoolingsystem,thereisnoperfectanswer.Choosingbetweensystemsdependsinpartonyourfueloptions,butalsoonyourpreferences.

CoolingSystems

Dependingonwhereyoulive,coolingyourhomecanbeassimpleasopeningawindoworascomplicatedasinstallingacentralair-conditioningunit.Hereisasummaryofthemostcommonoptions:VentilationExceptinhot,humidclimates,naturalventilationisthecheapestandmostenergy-efficientwaytocoolahome.Insomecases,natural

ventilationwillsufficeforcooling,althoughitusuallyneedstobesupplementedwithspotventilation,ceilingfansandwindowfans.Forlargehomes,considerwhole-housefans.Inhotclimates,atticventilationcanhelptoreducetheuseofairconditioning.

EvaporativeCoolersInlow-humidityareas,evaporatingwaterintotheairprovidesanatural,energy-efficientmeansofcooling.Evaporativecoolers,alsoknownasswampcoolers,relyonthisprincipal.Evaporativecoolerscostabouthalfasmuchtoinstallascentralairconditionersanduseaboutaquarterasmuchenergy.Theyarehigher-maintenancethanrefrigeratedairconditioners,though,andaresuitableonlyforlow-humidityareas.

AirconditionersTwo-thirdsofallhomesintheU.S.areequippedwithairconditioners.Theyuseabout5percentofalltheelectricityproducedinthecountry,costinghomeownersmorethan$11billionandreleasingroughly100milliontonsofcarbondioxideintotheaireachyear.Switchingtohigh-efficiencyairconditionersandusingothermeanstocoolyourhomecanreducethisenergyuseby20to50percent.Thetwomostcommontypesofairconditionersareroomairconditionersandcentralairconditioners.Ductless,mini-splitairconditionersprovideacompromisebetweenthesetwosystems.

Low-ImpactCoolingTricksWhenit’shotoutside,ourfirstinstinctistoturnontheairconditioner.Buttheyguzzleenergy.Usingnon-ACcoolingstrategiessavesbothmoneyandtheplanet.Here,afewtipsforkeepingcoolwithouttouchingthethermostat.

•Openwindowsandinteriordoorstoallowairtoflowfreelythroughyourhouse.Closedinteriordoorsreduceairflow.

•Replaceincandescentlightbulbswithcompactfluorescents(CFLs),whichgiveoff75percentlessheat.

•Installawhole-housefanandturnitonattheendoftheday,whenitbeginstocooloffoutside.

•Plantdeciduoustreesonthesouth,eastandwestsidesofyourhometoblockthesunandkeepthehousecooler.

•Installwindowshadesorcurtainsandkeepthemclosedduringthedaytopreventdirectsunlightfromenteringthehouse.

preventdirectsunlightfromenteringthehouse.•Ifyou’rerenovatingorbuilding,trycreatinganopenfloorplantoencourageairflow.

TheR-valueofthewindowsalmostequalsthatofthishome’ssoy-based-foam-insulatedwalls,minimizingtheneedforcooling.

HeatingSystems

MostU.S.homesuseeitherafurnaceoraboiler,butotherapproachesrangefromwoodstovestoactivesolarheatingsystems.Whetheryouwanttoupgradeanexistingsystemorpurchaseanewone,therearevariousfuel-andenergy-relatedissuesthatwillinfluenceyourdecision.Hereisasummaryofmostoftheoptions.

FURNACESANDBOILERSFurnacesheatair,whichisthendistributedthroughthehouseviaducts.Boilersheatwater,providingeitherhotwaterorsteamforheating.High-efficiencyversionsofalltypesoffurnacesandboilersareavailable,andsincetheyaresaferandcanbemorethan30percentmoreefficientthantheoldersystems,upgradingtoanewsystemcancutyourfuelbillsandyourfurnace’spollutionoutputinhalf.Despitetheirhighefficiency,however,thehighercostofelectricityinmostpartsofthecountrymakesall-electricfurnacesorboilersapoorchoicefinancially.

poorchoicefinancially.Sinceretrofitsarefuel-specific,anynewsystemyoupurchasewillneedtobe

gearedtothefuelyouuse.Otherretrofittingoptionsthatcanimproveasystem’senergyefficiencyincludeinstallingprogrammablethermostats,upgradingductworkforforced-airsystemsandaddingzonecontrolforhot-watersystems.Beforebuyinganewfurnaceorboilerormodifyingyourexistingunit,haveaheatingcontractorsizeyourfurnacesothatyoumakethecorrectchoice,andchooseahigh-efficiencyfurnaceandboilerwiththeEnergyStarlabel.Ifyouliveinacoldclimate,itusuallymakessensetoinvestinthehighest-efficiencysystem.Inmilderclimateswithlowerannualheatingcosts,theextrainvestmentcanbehardertojustify.

Toensurethatanynewfurnaceorboilerremainseffective,youshouldhaveitinspectedandmaintainedbyaheatingsystemprofessional.Andanytimeyoumaintain,retrofitorreplaceagasheatingsystem,checkforunintentionalairleaks,orproblemswithairductsthatconnecttotheoutdoors.Thecombustionprocesscreatesbyproductsthatcanbehazardoustohumanhealthandimpacttheairqualityinyourhome.Ensurethatyourchimneysystemfunctionsproperlyandthatagasheatingsystemisproperlyventilated.Installingasealed-combustionfurnaceorboilercanalsohelp.Ifyoureplaceanolderfurnaceorboilerwithahigher-efficiencynewsystem,thechimneysmustbepreparedtoaccommodateit.Also,contactyourlocalutilityorheatingcontractortocheckforandremedyanyotherventingproblems,suchasthepresenceofhigh-temperatureplasticventpipe,whichhasbeenrecalledandshouldbereplacedbystainlesssteelventpipe.

Solarphotovoltaicpanelssupplymostoftheenergyfortheradianthydronicheatingsystemthatwarmsthishouse.Anatural-gassystem,whichfuelsthebuilt-infireplace,servesasabackupifnecessary.

WOODANDPELLETHEATINGBeforethe20thcentury,mostAmericansburnedwoodtoheattheirhomes.Buttheuseoffossilfuelsincreasedovertime,andby1970,only1percentofthepopulationusedwoodforfuel.Duringtheenergycrisisinthe1970s,however,interestinwoodheatingasarenewableenergygrew.Later,pelletfuelappliances,whichburnsmallpelletsmadefromcompactedsawdust,woodchips,bark,agriculturalcropwaste,wastepaperandotherorganicmaterials,emerged.Todayyoucanfindanewgenerationofwood-andpellet-burningappliancesthatarecleaner-burning,moreefficientandpowerfulenoughtoheatmanyaverage-sizedmodernhomes.

Sincewood-burningappliancesandfireplacesmayemitlargequantitiesofairpollutants,somemunicipalitiesrestricttheirusewhenthelocalairqualityreachesunacceptablelevels.Othersrestrictorbantheinstallationofwood-burningappliancesinnewconstruction.Beforeinstallingawood-burningsystem,contactyourlocalbuildingcodesdepartment,stateenergyofficeorstateenvironmentalagencyaboutwood-burningregulationsthatmayapplyinyourarea.

Ifyouhaveanolderwood-burningappliance,considerupgradingtooneofthenewvarietiescertifiedbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).Theseincludeacatalyticcombustorthatallowscombustiongasestoburnatlowertemperatures,therebycleaningtheexhaustgaswhilegeneratingmore

lowertemperatures,therebycleaningtheexhaustgaswhilegeneratingmoreheat.High-efficiencyappliancesarealsooftensafer,sincecompletecombustionhelpstopreventabuildupofflammablechimneydepositscalledcreosote.Newcatalyticstovesandinsertshaveadvertisedefficienciesof70to80percent.

Ifyouwanttoretrofitanexistingnon-catalyticwood-burningappliancewithacatalyticcombustor,youcanbuyacatalyticdamper—thoughtheydon’tworkforalltypesofstoves.Forsafety,andtomaximizeefficiency,haveaprofessionalinstallyourwood-orpellet-burningappliance.

AnEcoSmartFireopenfireplaceisflue-less,requiresnoutilityconnection,andusesclean-burning,renewabledenaturedethanol.

Skylightsallowsunlighttowarmthisfireplace’sstonefacingandradiateheatbackintotheroom.

TypesofWood-andPellet-BurningAppliances

•High-efficiencyfireplacesandfireplaceinsertsDesignedmoreforshow,traditionalopen-masonryfireplacesshouldnotbeconsideredheatingdevices.Onlyhigh-efficiencyfireplaceinsertshaveproveneffectiveinincreasingtheheatingefficiencyofolderfireplaces.Butsomemodernfireplacesheatatefficienciesnearthoseofwoodstovesandarecertifiedaslow-emissionappliances.Althoughdesignedtoincludethefire-viewingbenefitsofatraditionalfireplace,thisgenerationoffireplacescaneffectivelyprovideheataswell.Fireplacefluesleakheatandwarmairoutofyourhome,however.Ifyouhaveafireplacethatyoudon’tuse,plugandsealtheflue.Ifyouusethefireplace,besuretoclosethefluewhenthefireplaceisnotinuse.

•CatalyticWoodstoves,AdvancedCombustionWoodstoves,andCentralizedWood-BurningBoilersWoodstovesarethemostcommon

appliancesforburningwood.Advancedcombustionwoodstovesprovidealotofheatbutonlyworkefficientlywhenthefireburnsatfullthrottle.Alsoknownassecondaryburnstoves,theycanreachtemperaturesof1100°F—hotenoughtoburncombustiblegases.Newadvancedcombustionstoveshaveadvertisedefficienciesof60to72percent.Theycanalsobeslightlylessexpensivethanconventionalwoodstovesfittedwithcatalyticcombustors.Likewoodstoves,centralizedwood-burningboilershavebeenimprovedrecently.Modern,centralizedwoodheatersusewoodgasificationtechnologythatburnsboththewoodfuelandtheassociatedcombustiblegases,andtheseareupto80percentefficient.

•MasonryheatersMasonryheaters—alsoknownasRussian,Siberian,orFinnishfireplaces—producemoreheatandlesspollutionthananyotherwood-orpellet-burningappliance.Masonryheatersincludeafirebox,alargemasonrymass(suchasbricks),andlong,twistingsmokechannelsthatrunthroughthemasonrymass.Masonryheaterscommonlyreachacombustionefficiencyof90percent.Mostareintendedforburningwood.Theirrelativelysmall,intensefirealsoresultsinverylittleairpollutionandverylittlecreosotebuildupinthechimney.Inaddition,ifthemasonryheaterisbuiltwheresunlightcandirectlyshineonitinwinter,theheaterwillabsorbthesun’sheatandreleaseitslowlyintotheroom.Theycanbecustom-builtorpurchasedasprefabricatedunits.Somelargedesignsmaycost$5,000ormore.Plansandkitsareavailable,buttheyarenoteasydo-it-yourselfprojects.

•Pellet-FuelAppliancesThesearemoreconvenienttooperateandhavemuchhighercombustionandheatingefficienciesthanordinarywoodstovesorfireplaces.Asaresult,theyproduceverylittleairpollutionandarethecleanestofsolidfuel–burningresidentialheatingappliances.Withcombustionefficienciesof78to85percent,theyarealsoexemptfromEPAsmoke-emissiontestingrequirements.Pelletstoveshaveheatingcapacitiesthatrangebetween8,000and90,000Btuperhourandcanbeusedinhomesaswellasapartmentsorcondominiums.Mostpelletstovescostbetween$1,700and$3,000.However,apelletstoveisoftencheapertoinstallthanacordwood-burningheater.Manycanbedirect-ventedanddonotneedanexpensivechimneyorflue.

CHIMNEYSANDMAINTENANCEIfyouaredesigningorbuildinganewhome,considerplacingthechimneyinsideyourhome.Traditionalchimneysconstructedalongtheoutsideofahome

insideyourhome.Traditionalchimneysconstructedalongtheoutsideofahomelosevaluableheattothecoldoutsideair.Chimneysmustalsomatchthesizeoftheappliance.High-performancechimneysareinsulated.Oldermasonrychimneyscanberelinedtosafelyandefficientlyconnecttonewerhigh-efficiencywood-burningappliances.

Tokeepyourwood-orpellet-burningsystemoperatingefficientlyandsafely,you’llneedtomaintainitonaregularbasis.Everyyearbeforeheatingseason,haveachimneysweepcertifiedbytheChimneySafetyInstituteofAmericainspectyourwood-burningsystem.

ELECTRICRESISTANCEHEATINGElectricresistanceheatingconvertsalmost100percentoftheenergyintheelectricitythatpowersittoheat.Butmostelectricityisproducedfromoil,gasorcoalgeneratorsthatconvertonlyabout30percentofthefuel’senergyintoelectricity.Becauseoftheselosses,electricheatisoftenmoreexpensivethanheatproducedusingcombustionappliances,suchasnaturalgas,propaneandoilfurnaces.Ifelectricityistheonlychoice,optifyoucanforaheatpump,whichispreferableinmanyclimates.Itcaneasilycutelectricityuseby50percentcomparedtoelectricresistanceheating.

TypesofElectricResistanceHeatersElectricresistanceheatcanbesuppliedbycentralizedforced-airelectricfurnacesorbyheatersineachroom.Thesemaybeelectricbaseboardheaters,electricwallheaters,electricradiantheat,electricspaceheatersorelectricthermalstoragesystems.

•ElectricBaseboardHeatersThesearezoneheaterscontainingelectricheatingelementsencasedinmetalpipesthatarecontrolledbythermostatswithineachroom.Thequalityofbaseboardheatersvariesconsiderably.Tobesureyourunitcomplieswithrecognizedsafetystandards,lookforlabelsfromUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)andtheNationalElectricalManufacturer’sAssociation(NEMA).

•ElectricWallHeatersElectricwallheaterstypicallyconsistofanelectricelementwithareflectorthatprojectsheatintotheroomandafanthatmovesairthroughtheheater.Theyareusuallyinstalledoninteriorwallsbecausethey’redifficulttoinsulateonexteriorwalls.

•ElectricFurnacesElectricfurnacesaremoreexpensivetooperatethanotherelectricresistancesystemsbecauseofheatlossesthroughtheirductsandtheextraenergyneededtodistributetheheatedairthroughoutyourhome.

•ElectricThermalStorageSomeelectricutilitiesstructuretheirratesliketelephonecompaniesandchargemoreforelectricityduringthedayandlessatnightinanattempttoreducetheirpeakdemand.Ifyouareacustomerofsuchautility,youmaybeabletobenefitfromanelectricthermalstorageheater,whichstoreselectricheatduringnighttimehourswhenratesarelower.Itdoesn’tsaveenergy,butitcansaveyoumoney.Thereareseveraltypesofelectricthermalstorageheaters,soyou’dneedtoexplorethekindthatwouldworkbestforyou.

Alltypesofelectricresistanceheatingarecontrolledthroughsomekindofthermostat,whichcanbeprogrammableandallowyoutoautomaticallysetbackthetemperatureatnightorwhileyou’reaway.Zoneheatingcanproduceenergysavingsofmorethan20percentcomparedtoheatingbothoccupiedandunoccupiedareasofyourhouse.

AgeothermalsystemburiedintheyardprovidestheheatingandcoolingneedsforthishomedesignedbyWesketchArchitecture.

Aradiantheatingsystembeneaththestonefloorwarmsthisindoor/outdoorspace,allowingtheareatobeenjoyedduringthecoolermonths.

ACTIVESOLARHEATINGTherearetwobasictypesofactivesolarheatingsystems:liquid-basedsystems,whichheatwateroranantifreezesolutioninahydroniccollector,andair-basedsystems,whichheatairinanaircollector.Bothsystemscollectandabsorbsolarradiation,thentransferthesolarheatdirectlytoaninteriorspaceortoastoragesystemfromwhichtheheatisdistributed.Ifthesystemcannotprovideadequatespaceheating,anauxiliaryorbackupsystemprovidestheadditionalheat.Liquidsystemsaremoreoftenusedwhenstorageisincluded,andarewell-suitedforradiantheatingsystems,boilerswithhotwaterradiators,andabsorptionheatpumpsandcoolers.Bothairandliquidsystemscanalsosupplementforced-airsystems.

Activesolarheatingsystemsaremostcost-effectivewhentheyareusedformostoftheyear—thatis,incoldclimateswithgoodsolarresources—andwhenthey’reareusedtodisplacemoreexpensiveheatingfuels,suchaselectricity,propaneandoilheat.Somestatesoffersalestaxexemptions,incometaxcreditsordeductions,andpropertytaxexemptionsordeductionsforsolarenergysystems.Heatingyourhomewithanactivesolarenergysystemcanalso

systems.Heatingyourhomewithanactivesolarenergysystemcanalsosignificantlyreduceyourfuelbillsinthewinter,andtheamountofairpollutionandgreenhousegasesthatresultfromyouruseoffossilfuelssuchasoil,propaneandnaturalgasforheating.

Selectingtheappropriatesolarenergysystemdependsonthesite,designandheatingneedsofyourhouse.Localcovenantsmayalsorestrictyouroptions.Thelocalclimate,thetypeandefficiencyofthecollector,andthecollectorareadeterminehowmuchheatasolarheatingsystemcanprovide.Designinganactivesystemtosupplyenoughheat100percentofthetimeisusuallyneitherpracticalnorcost-effective,somostbuildingcodesandmortgagelendersrequireabackupheatingsystemtosupplyheatwhenthesolarsystemcannotmeetrequirements.

Onceasystemisinplace,ithastobeproperlymaintainedtooptimizeitsperformanceandavoidbreakdowns.Differentsystemsrequiredifferenttypesofmaintenance,butyoushouldfigureon8to16hoursofmaintenanceannually.

RADIANTHEATINGRadiantheatingsystemssupplyheatdirectlytothefloorortopanelsinthewallorceilingofahouse.Theyaremoreefficientthanbaseboardheatingandusuallymoreefficientthanforced-airheatingbecausenoenergyislostthroughducts.Thelackofmovingaircanalsobeadvantageoustopeoplewithsevereallergies.Radiantfloorheatingsystemsaredifferentthantheradiantpanelsusedinwallsandceilings.

RadiantFloorHeatTherearethreetypesofradiantfloorheat:radiantairfloors,electricradiantfloors,andhotwaterorhydronicradiantfloors.Allthreetypescanbefurthersubdividedbythetypeofinstallation:thosethatmakeuseofthelargethermalmassofaconcreteslabfloororlightweightconcreteoverawoodensubfloor—thesearecalledwetinstallations—andthoseinwhichtheinstallersandwichestheradiantfloortubingbetweentwolayersofplywoodorattachesthetubingunderthefinishedfloororsubfloor—thesearedryinstallations.

TYPESOFRADIANTFLOORHEAT

•Air-HeatedRadiantFloorsBecauseaircannotholdlargeamountsofheat,radiantairfloorsarenotcost-effectiveinresidentialapplications,andare

seldominstalled.•HydronicRadiantFloorsHydronicsystemsarethemostpopularandcost-effectiveradiantheatingsystemsforclimatesthatrequirehighlevelsofheat.Thesesystemspumpheatedwaterfromaboilerthroughtubinglaidinapatternunderneaththefloor.Thecostofinstallingahydronicradiantfloorvariesbylocationandalsodependsonthesizeofthehome,thetypeofinstallationandthefloorcovering.Hydronicsystemsuselittleelectricity,abenefitforhomesoffthepowergridorinareaswithhighelectricityprices.Thesesystemscanalsobeheatedwithawidevarietyofenergysources,includingstandardgas-oroil-firedboilers,wood-firedboilers,solarwaterheatersorsomecombinationoftheseheatsources.

•ElectricRadiantFloorsElectricradiantfloorstypicallyconsistofelectriccablesbuiltintothefloorormatsofelectricallyconductiveplasticmountedontothesubfloorbelowafloorcoveringsuchastile.Becauseoftherelativelyhighcostofelectricity,electricradiantfloorsareusuallyonlycost-effectiveiftheyincludeasignificantthermalmass,suchasathickconcretefloor,andifyourelectricutilitycompanyofferstime-of-userates,allowingyoutochargetheconcretefloorwithheatduringoff-peakhours.

FLOORINSTALLATIONANDCOVERINGOPTIONSCeramictileisthemostcommonandeffectivefloorcoveringforradiantfloorheatingbecauseitconductsheatwellandaddsthermalstorageduetoitshighheatcapacity.Otherfloorcoveringslikevinylandlinoleumsheetgoods,carpetingorwoodcanalsobeused,butanycoveringthathelpstoinsulatethefloorfromtheroomwilldecreasetheefficiencyofthesystem.Ifyouwanttousecarpeting,optforathincarpetwithdensepaddingandinstallaslittlecarpetingaspossible.Ifyouusewoodflooring,chooselaminatedflooringinsteadofsolidwoodtoreducethepossibilityofthewoodshrinkingandcracking.

RadiantPanelHeatWall-andceiling-mountedradiantpanelsareusuallymadeofaluminumandcanbeheatedwitheitherelectricityorwithtubingthatcarrieshotwater,whichcancreateissueswithleakage.Mostradiantpanelsforhomesareelectricallyheated.Likeanytypeofelectricheat,radiantpanelsareexpensivetooperate,buttheycanprovidesupplementalheatinginsomeroomsorcanprovideheattoahomeadditionwhenextendingtheconventionalheatingsystemisimpractical.

Unlikeothertypesofradiantheatingsystems,radiantpanelshaveverylowheatcapacity,buttheyhavethequickestresponsetimeofanyheating

heatcapacity,buttheyhavethequickestresponsetimeofanyheatingtechnology.Becausethepanelscanbeindividuallycontrolledforeachroom,thequick-responsefeaturecanpotentiallyresultincostandenergysavingscomparedtoothersystemswhenroomsareinfrequentlyoccupied.Butaswithanysystem,thethermostatmustbemaintainedataminimumtemperaturethatwillpreventpipesfromfreezing.

HEATPUMPSYSTEMSForclimateswithmoderateheatingandcoolingneeds,heatpumpsofferanenergy-efficientalternativetofurnacesandairconditionersandofferthebenefitofdeliveringmoreusefulenergythantheyconsume.

Heatpumpsuseelectricitytomoveheatfromcooltowarmspaces,makingthecoolspacecoolerandthewarmspacewarmer.Duringtheheatingseason,heatpumpsmoveheatfromthecooloutdoorsintoyourwarmhouse;duringthecoolingseason,theydothereverse.Becausetheymoveheatratherthangenerateit,heatpumpscanprovideuptofourtimestheamountofenergytheyconsume.

Toptobottom:VanguardEnergyPartnersretrofittedthehistoricTwinMaplesshowhousewithageothermalheatpumpsystem.

TypesofHeatPumps

•Air-sourceheatpumpsThemostcommontypeofheatpumpistheair-sourceheatpump,whichtransfersheatbetweenyourhouseandtheoutsideair.Ifyouheatwithelectricity,aheatpumpcantrimtheamountofelectricityyouuseforheatingbyasmuchas30to40percent.High-efficiencyheatpumpsalsodehumidifybetterthanstandardcentralairconditioners,cuttingenergyusageandprovidingmorecoolingcomfortinsummermonths.Mostair-sourceheatpumpsareunsuitableforcoldclimates,however,buttherearesystemsthatworkinsuchenvironments.Forhomeswithoutducts,air-sourceheatpumpscomeinaductlessversion

calledamini-splitheatpump.Inaddition,aspecialtypeofair-sourceheatpumpcalledareversecyclechillergenerateshotandcoldwaterratherthanair,allowingittobeusedwithradiantsystemsinheatingmode.

•GeothermalheatpumpsGeothermal(ground-sourceorwater-source)heatpumps,whichtransferheatbetweenyourhouseandthegroundoranearbywatersource,achievehigherefficienciesbuttheycostmoretoinstall.Theyhavelowoperatingcosts,though,becausetheytakeadvantageofrelativelyconstantgroundorwatertemperatures.

•AbsorptionheatpumpsAnabsorptionheatpump,alsocalledagas-firedheatpump,isanewtypeofheatpumpforresidentialsystems.Itusesheatasitsenergysource,andcanbedrivenwithawidevarietyofheatsources.

WindowscoveredwithsimpleRomanshadessupplementtheilluminationandheatingofthishomewithapassivesolarapproach.

CHOOSINGAHEATINGFUELSelectingthefuelandheatingsystembestsuitedforyourneedsdependsontheavailabilityandcostofthefuelandthetypeofapplianceyou’reusingorwanttouse.Italsodependsonhowheatisdistributedinyourhouseandyourconcernwiththeenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwiththeheatingfuel.

FuelAvailabilityMosthomeownersseethemselvesasrelativelylimitedintheiroptionsforheatingfuels.IntheNortheast,theoptionsareessentiallyfueloilorelectricity,althoughnaturalgasisbecomingavailabletomorehomes.Inruralareas,heatingfuelsaremostlylimitedtopropaneandwood.Inmostoftherestofthecountry,naturalgasandelectricityarethemainchoices.Buttheoptionsareactuallymorediverse.Forstarters,solarenergyisavailablethroughoutthecountry,andnewhomesincoldormoderateclimatescanalwaysbedesignedtoexploitpassivesolarheatingstrategies.Youcanalsouseactivesolarheatingsystemsasasupplementalheatingsourceinneworexistinghomes,asthey’recompatible

withmostheatingsystems.Pelletandpropanefuelsarealsoavailablenationwideatcompetitiveprices,asiswood,whichisespeciallycost-effectiveifyoucanharvestityourself.

FuelCostsAsimplewaytoevaluateheatingoptionsistocomparethecostofthefuel.Todothat,youhavetoknowtheenergycontentofthefuelandtheefficiencybywhichitcanbeconvertedtousefulheat.Theefficiencyoftheheatingapplianceisanotherimportantfactorwhendeterminingthecostofagivenamountofheat.Ingeneral,theefficiencyisdeterminedbymeasuringhowwellanapplianceturnsfuelintousefulheat.

YoucanuseseveralevaluationtoolsattheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’swebsite(seesidebarhere)tohelpyoucalculatethecostofenergydeliveredtoyourhomefordifferentfuelsandsystems,andfindouttheaverageefficienciesforcommonheatingappliances.Oryoucancontactyourutilityorlocalsuppliersofotherfuelstogetcomparisons.

DesignedbyPlumbobandbuiltbyMcDonaldConstruction,thishomeincorporatesthoughtfulpassivesolardesignstrategies,withlotsofglasstoletinplentyofwarmingsunlightinwinterasthesunsinksinthesky,anddeepoverhangsandsunshadestoblockheatandexcesslightinsummer.Interiorshadesonthewindowsalsocontrollightandheatgain.

EnvironmentalImpactofFuelsSinceyouprobablygeneratemoregreenhousegasesbyheatingandcoolingyourhomethanbydoinganythingelse,you’llalsowanttoconsidertheenvironmentalimpactofyourheatingfuel.MostelectricityintheU.S.isgeneratedbyburningcoal,whichemitssulfurdioxide,nitrousoxides,particulatesandgreenhousegases.Whilesomeelectricityisgeneratedfromnaturalgas,whichburnscleaner,atleasthalfoftheenergyislostinconvertingittoelectricityanddeliveringittoyourhome.However,electricheatpumps,whichhavethebenefitofproducingmoreenergythantheyconsume,canbalanceouttheefficiencylossesbyusingtheelectricitytodrawenergyfromtheenvironment.

Amongthefueloptionsforahigh-efficiencyfurnaceorboiler—naturalgas,oil,propane,woodorpellets—naturalgasburnscleanest.Butthecleanestfuelforheating(andpossiblycooling)yourhomeissolarenergy,whichproducesno

forheating(andpossiblycooling)yourhomeissolarenergy,whichproducesnopollutionatall.Whilesolarenergyjustsupplementsthemainheatingandcoolingsourceinmosthomestoday,theDepartmentofEnergyandotherdevelopersareexperimentingwithbuildinghomesthataimtoconsumenetzeroenergyoverthecourseofayear.

HVACUpgradeandRetrofitTips•Considerswitchingfromelectrictohot-waterheating.Theexpenseforductingcanmakeupgradingtoaductedsystemprohibitivelyexpensive,butifyouswitchtoahotwaterbaseboardsystem,youmaybeabletoinstallitinthesamelocationasyourexistingbaseboards.Itwillrequireextensiveplumbing,however.

•Upgradesteamheatingbyupgradingorreplacingyourboiler.Innewertwo-pipesteamsystemsitissometimespossibletoconvertexistingsteamdistributionpipestohotwaterheating,whichreducesthecostofthesystemtothecostoftheboiler,thebaseboardheatersandtheinstallationlabor.Thespace-savingbenefitsofeliminatingthelargesteamradiatorsmaybeworththeexpense.

•AddcentralACtoaductedsystem.Ifyoudon’talreadyhaveit,addingcentralairconditioningtoaforced-airheatingsystemisfairlysimple,butyourcontractormustmatchthesystemtoyourexistingductwork.

•AddACtoaductlesssystem.Manyhomesthatusesteamorhotwaterheating,radiantheating,orelectricresistanceheatingdonothaveducts.Ifyouwanttoaddcentralairconditioning,considerinsteadaddingaductlessmini-splitairconditionerorductlessmini-splitheatpump.

•Switchtoaheatpumpsystem.Switchingtoaheatpumpsystemcanbeproblematic,sinceheatpumpsgenerallyrequirelargerducts.However,manyheatingsystemsareoversized,particularlyifyourhomeiswellinsulated.Youmaybeabletoconverttoasmaller-capacityheatpumpthatcomplementsyourexistingductwork.Aheatingandcoolingprofessionalcanhelpyouconfirmwhetherornotthisispossible.

•Installamini-ductairdistributionsystem.Addingductstoanexistinghomecanbeadifficultproposition.Butnewmini-ductsystems,whichforceairthroughplasticfeederductsthatareonly2inchesindiameter,

canbeeasilythreadedthroughcavitiesinwalls,floorsandceilings.Aheatingandcoolingprofessionalshouldbeabletohelpyouevaluatetheoptions.

WATERCONSERVATION,FILTRATIONANDHEATING

Withrisingenergypricesandconcernaboutgreenhousegases,thoseofusconcernedwiththeenvironmenttendtofocusonreductionoftheuseoffossilfuelsasasourceforenergy.ButAmericansacrossthecountryarealsostretchingouravailablewatersuppliestothelimits.Since1950,theU.S.populationhasnearlydoubled,butsincethattime,publicdemandforwaterhasmorethantripled,andAmericansnowuseanaverageof100gallonsofwatereachday.Thisincreaseddemandhasstressedourwatersuppliesanddistributionsystems,threateningbothhumanhealthandtheenvironment,makingwaterconservationanationalpriority.AccordingtotheEPA,arecentgovernmentsurveyshowedatleast36statesareanticipatinglocal,regionalorstatewidewatershortagesby2013.

Thewaterusedforresidential,commercial,industrialandpublicuses,suchasstreetcleaning,firefighting,municipalparksandpublicswimmingpools,comesfrombothpubliclysuppliedsourcesandself-suppliedsources(waterwithdrawndirectlyfromsurfaceorgroundwater,suchasfromprivatelyownedwells).Only15percentofAmericanhouseholdsareself-supplied,whilemorethan240millionpeopledependonpublicsupplysystems.

Morethan43billiongallonsarewithdrawnforpublicsupplysystemseveryday,withnearly60percentofthepublicsupplybeingdeliveredtohouseholds(self-suppliedwatertohouseholdstotalsabout4billiongallonsperday).MostpeopleinNorthAmericause50to70gallonsofwaterindoorseachdayandaboutthesameamountoutdoors,dependingontheseason.Indoors,about75percentofthewaterisusedinthebathroom,andthetoiletaccountsforabout28percentofthatwateruse.Outdoors,waterforlawnsandgardensaswellasforcarwashingaccountsformostofthewaterused.Runningasprinklerfortwohours,forexample,canuseupto500gallons,whilewashingadrivewaywithahoseusesupabout50gallonsofwaterevery5minutes.

AsleekfaucetandshowerheadcomplementthesimplicityofthisbathbyMichelleKaufmannDesignsandconservewater,too.

CabinetsinthisbatharemadeofKireiBoard,asustainablematerialmadefromsorghumplants.Awall-mounted,water-conservingfaucetkeepsthecountersurfaceclear.

WaterConservation

Fortunately,manufacturersofhouseholdfixtures,fittingsandappliancesthatuse,conditionorprocesswaterarecreatingmoresophisticated,energy-efficient,conservation-orientedproductsthaneverbefore.AndtheEPA’sWaterSenseprogramismakingiteasiertoidentifywater-efficientproductsandpracticessothatwecanhelppreservewatersuppliesforfuturegenerations,whilesavingmoneyandprotectingtheenvironmentatthesametime.

Puttingforththeefforttousewatermoreefficientlyalongwithreducingpollutants,suchaspesticides,canbenefittheplanetinmanyways.TheEPAliststhefollowingasjustafew:

•Fewersewagesystemfailurescausedfromexcesswateruseoverwhelmingthesystem.

•Reducedwatercontaminationfrompollutedrunoffduetoover-irrigatingagriculturalandurbanlands.

•Reducedneedtoconstructadditionaldamsandreservoirsorotherwiseregulate

•Reducedneedtoconstructadditionaldamsandreservoirsorotherwiseregulatethenaturalflowofstreams,thuspreservingtheirfreeflowandretainingthevalueofstreamandriversystemsaswildlifehabitatsandrecreationalareas.

•Reducedneedtoconstructadditionalwaterandwastewatertreatmentfacilities.•Reducedamountofenergyneededtotreatwastewater,resultinginlessenergydemandand,therefore,fewerharmfulbyproductsfrompowerplants.

Mostofusrecognizethathotwaterdemandsasubstantialuseofenergy,butsupplyingandtreatingcoldwaterrequiresplentyofenergytoo.AccordingtotheEPA,Americanpublicwatersupplyandtreatmentfacilitiesconsumeabout56billionkilowatt-hoursperyear—enoughelectricitytopowermorethan5millionhomesforayear.TheEPAalsosuggeststhatifjust1percentofAmericanhomesreplacedanoldtoiletwithaWaterSense-labeledtoilet,thecountrywouldsavemorethan38millionkilowatt-hoursofelectricity—enoughelectricitytosupply43,000householdsforamonth.Bythesametoken,ifeveryhouseholdinAmericainstalledaWaterSense-labeledfaucetoraerator,wecouldsavemorethan60billiongallonsofwatereachyear.Doingsowouldalsohelpussavemoneyonwaterbills.Togetasenseoftheenergyconsumedbywaterusage,runningyourfaucetforfiveminutesusesaboutasmuchenergyaslettinga60-wattlightbulbrunfor14hours.

Togetthemostefficientproductforyourneeds,you’llneedtodosomehomework.Formoreinformationonwater-conservingproducts,fromsinkfaucetsandshowerheadstotoiletsandirrigationcontroltechnologies,visittheWaterSensesectionoftheEPA’swebsite(epa.gov/watersense).

WaterFiltration

Inadditiontoconservation,controllingthesafetyandqualityofourdrinkingwaterisalsoimportant.Mostofusassumethetapwaterinourhomesissafetodrink.And,ingeneral,municipalwatersuppliesinourcountryareofgoodquality.Butafewyearsago,theNaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil(NRDC)issuedareportontapwaterqualityin19U.S.citiesandfiveofthemratedpoor.

Togetasenseofthewaterqualityinyourarea,readyourmunicipalwaterreport.TheSafeDrinkingWaterActrequiresmunicipalagenciestoissueawaterqualityreportlistinglevelsofdetectedcontaminantsinthewatersupply,whichissenttohouseholdsonceayearwiththewaterbill.Ifyou’reamongthe15percentoftheU.S.populationthatreliesonprivatewatersources,thesearenotsubjecttotheEPA’ssafedrinkingwaterstandards.Forthesesources,the

notsubjecttotheEPA’ssafedrinkingwaterstandards.Forthesesources,theEPArecommendshavingwellwatertestedannuallyforcoliformbacteria,nitratesandotherpossiblecontaminants.

Moen’sChoiceFlofaucetofferstwowaterways.Unfilteredwaterforboilingorcleaningupflowsthroughtheprimaryspout,whilefilteredwaterforwashinggreensordrinkingpassesthroughaspecialoutletbeneaththeneck.

SimpleStepstoSaveWaterAsidefromreplacingwater-guzzlingappliances,fixturesandfittingswithefficientmodels,trytheseothersimplestepsforconservingwaterfromtheEPA’sWaterSenseprogramandEartheasy.com,awebsitewithinformation,tipsandproductideasthatsupportsustainableliving:

•Fixanyleaks.Leakyfaucetsdrippingatarateofonedrippersecondcanwastemorethan3,000gallonsofwatereachyear.Ifyou’reunsurewhetheryouhavealeak,readyourwatermeterbeforeandafteratwo-hourperiodwhennowaterisbeingused.Ifthemeterdoesn’treadexactlythesame,youprobablyhavealeak.Aleakytoiletcanwasteabout200gallonsofwatereveryday.Todeterminewhetheryourtoilethasaleak,placeadropoffoodcoloringinthetank;ifthecolorshowsinthebowlwithoutflushing,youhavealeak.

•Takeashower,notabath.Afullbathtubrequiresabout70gallonsofwater,whileafive-minuteshowerusesjust10to25gallons.Ifyoutakeabath,stopperthedrainfirstandadjustthewatertemperatureasyoufillthetub.

•Controlyourfaucet.Theaveragebathroomfaucetflowsatarateoftwogallonsperminute.Ifyouturnoffthetapwhilebrushingyourteethorshaving,youcansaveupto8gallonsofwaterperday,or240gallonsamonth.

Top,andbottom:UsingaWaterSenselabeledadapteraeratesthewatercomingfromanyshowerhead,savingaboutagallonaminute.

•Waterwisely.Atypicalsingle-familysuburbanhouseholduses30percentofitswateroutdoorsforirrigation.Someexpertsestimatethatmorethan50percentoflandscapewaterusegoestowasteduetoevaporationorrunofffromoverwatering.Dripirrigationsystemsusebetween20to50percentlesswaterthanconventionalin-groundsprinklersystems.

•Loaditup.Theaveragewashingmachineusesabout41gallonsofwater

perload.High-efficiencywashingmachinesuselessthan28gallonsofwaterperload.Toachieveevengreatersavings,washonlyfullloadsoflaundryorusetheappropriateloadsizeselectiononthewashingmachine.

•Don’tflushmoneydownthedrain.Ifyourtoiletwasmadein1992orearlier,youprobablyhaveaninefficientmodelthatusesatleast3.5gallonsperflush.Newandimprovedhigh-efficiencymodelsuselessthan1.3gallonsperflush—atleast60percentlessthantheiroldercounterparts.Comparedtoatoiletthatuses3.5gallonsperflush,aWaterSense-labeledtoiletcouldsaveafamilyoffourmorethan$90annuallyontheirwaterbill,and$2,000overthelifetimeofthetoilet.

Topandbottom:Caroma’sCaravelledual-flushtoiletuseslessthanagallonofwaterperflush.AmericanStandard’sFloWiseshowerheadhasthreespraysettingsandreduceswaterconsumptionby40percent.

•Putafloatboosterinyourtoilettank.Tocutdownonwaterwaste,buyaninexpensivetankbankorfloatbooster,whichmaysave10ormoregallonsofwaterperday.

•Insulateyourwaterpipes.It’seasyandinexpensivetoinsulateyourwaterpipeswithpre-slitfoampipeinsulation.You’llgethotwaterfasterplusavoidwastingwaterwhileitheatsup.

•Installwater-savingshowerheadsandlow-flowfaucetaerators.Inexpensivewater-savingshowerheadsorrestrictorsareeasytoinstall.Forlessthan$15,youcaninstalloneoftheseyourselfandsaveupto500gallonsperyear.Also,limityourshowerstothetimeittakestosoapup,washdownandrinseoff.

•Washsensibly.Asidefromfullyloadingdishwashersandclotheswashersforoptimumwaterconservation,avoidpre-rinsingdishestosavewater,andifpossibledonotwashdishesbyhand.Thewaterinasinkdoesn’tgethotenoughtokillbacteria,andleavingwaterrunningforrinsingwasteswater.Also,avoidthepermanentpresscycleontheclotheswasher,whichusesanextra5gallonsfortheadditionalrinse.

HomeWaterTreatmentDevicesThereareseveralwaterfiltration/treatmentproductsthatcanbeusedinthehome.Hereisasummary:

•ActivatedCarbonFilterImprovestasteandcolor,butdoesnotremovebacteria,nitratesordissolvedminerals.Availableinvariouspoint-of-usedesigns,someofwhichremovelead,copper,mercury,chlorinationbyproductsandpesticides.

•DistillationRemovesbacteria,nitrates,sodium,hardness,heavymetalsandradionuclides,butdoesnotremovesomeVOCs.Availableinwhole-houseorpoint-of-usedesigns.

•IonExchangeRemovesminerals,softenswater,andsomedesignsremoveradium,barium,fluorideand/orarsenate.Availableinwhole-houseorpoint-of-usedesigns.

•ReverseOsmosisImprovestasteandcolor,andremovesnitrates,sodium

andotherdissolvedminerals,pluscertainparasites.Someversionsreducedioxins,pesticides,chloroformandpetrochemicals.Under-sinksystem.

•UltravioletdisinfectionKillsbacteriaandparasites.Under-sinksystem.

Evenifyourwaterisclean,itcanpickupcontaminantsfrompipesleadingtoorinthehome.Fromagreenperspective,noneofthepipeoptionsavailabletodayareperfect.Somepre-WWIIhousesmaystillhaveoriginallead-basedsupplypipes,andcoppersupplypipesinstalledbefore1988mighthavelead-basedsolderthatleachesintothewatersupply.Sinceleadcancauseseriousharmtothebrain,nervoussystemandkidneys,haveyourwatertestedifyoususpectthatyourpipesmaybeaproblem.Copperpipesaresafer,butminingforcopperdisruptstheenvironment,andatcertainpHlevels,coppercanalsoleachintothewatersupply.Variousplasticpipingusedforpotablewater,includingPVC(polyvinylchloride)andHDPE(high-densitypolyethylene)amongothers,outgasandcancausepotentiallyharmfuleffectstohumans.AllplasticpipingforpotablewatermustnowbecertifiedbytheNationalSanitationFoundation(NSF)forhealthandenvironmentalquality.PolypropylenepipingisconsideredoneofthecleanestplasticpipesandwasrecentlyapprovedbytheInternationalPlumbingCodeandtheInternationalResidentialCode.Yourcountygovernmentorlocalhealthdepartmentcangivealistofstate-certifiedtestinglabstoanalyzethequalityofyourpipes.

Ifyoucan’treplaceyourpipes,youcaninstallahomewater-treatmentsystemthatwillimprovethequalityofthewater,thoughnosystemeliminatesallcontaminants.Whole-housesystemsorpoint-of-entrysystemstreatwaterfortheentirehousewherethemainwaterlineentersthehouse.Point-of-usefilterscleanwaterfromthefixturetowhichtheyareattached.

WaterHeating

Waterheatingcanaccountfor14to25percentoftheenergyconsumedinyourhome.Youcanreduceyourmonthlywaterheatingbillsbyselectingtheappropriatewaterheaterforyourhomeorpoolandbyusingsomeenergy-efficientwaterheatingstrategies.Ifyouplantobuyanewwaterheater,orreplaceanexistingone,chooseasystemthatwillnotonlyprovideenoughhotwaterbutwillalsodosoenergy-efficiently,savingyoumoney.Here’saquicklookatthedifferentkindsofwaterheatingsystems:

•ConventionalstoragewaterheatersThemostpopulartypeofwaterheatingsystemforthehome,thesesystemsofferareadyreservoir—from20to80gallons—ofhotwater.Conventionalstoragewaterheaterfuelsourcesincludenaturalgas,propane,fueloilandelectricity.Becausethewaterisconstantlyheatedinthetank,energycanbewastedevenwhenahotwatertapisn’trunning.Youcanfindsomestoragewaterheatermodelswithheavilyinsulatedtanks,however,whichsignificantlyreducestandbyheatlosses,loweringannualoperatingcosts.Lookformodelswithtanksthathaveathermalresistance(R-value)ofR-12toR-25.

WaterSafetyandConservationResources•epa.gov/safewaterandepa.gov/watersense;800-426-4791TheEPA’swaterconservationandsafety-relatedsites,andSafeDrinkingWaterHotline.

•wateruseitwisely.comFor100waystoconservewaterinyourareaandinfoonhowtocontactyourwaterauthority.

•nsf.orgNationalSanitationFoundation,anot-for-profit,nongovernmentalorganizationandproviderofpublichealthandsafetyriskmanagementsolutions,providespublichealthandsafety-relatedinformationtoconcernedconsumersaroundtheworld.

•apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heatingTheDOE’sEnergyEfficiencyandRenewableEnergysiteofferstipsonloweringyourwaterheatingbills.

•Demand(tanklessorinstantaneous)waterheatersThesesystemsprovidehotwateronlyasitisneeded.Theydon’tproducethestandbyenergylossesassociatedwithstoragewaterheaters,whichcansaveyoumoney.Typically,demandwaterheatersprovidehotwateratarateof2to5gallonsperminute.Gas-fireddemandwaterheatersproducehigherflowratesthanelectricones.Forhomesthatuse41gallonsorlessofhotwaterdaily,demandwaterheaterscanbe24to34percentmoreenergy-efficientthanconventionalstoragetankwaterheaters.Theycanbe8to14percentmoreenergyefficientforhomesthatusealotofhotwater—around86gallonsperday.Youcanachieveeven

greaterenergysavingsof27to50percentifyouinstallademandwaterheaterateachhotwateroutlet.

Youcanlowerthecostofheatingyourswimmingpoolbyinstallinganenergy-efficientpoolheater,suchasaheatpumporsolarpoolheaters,whichcancostmorethangaspoolheaters,buthavelowerannualoperatingcosts.

EnergyEfficiencyResources•energystar.gov;888-STAR-YESForinformationonappliancesandelectronicsapprovedbythegovernment’sEnergyStarprogram.

•ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/eande/indes.htmlForaccesstothegovernment’sEnergyGuide.Youcanalsogetenergy-usedataforvariousappliances.

•efficientproducts.orgThesiteofanorganizationthatofferssomeofthebestresearchonenergy-efficientappliancesandelectronics.

•getenergyactive.org/wisely/progs.pdfForenergy-efficiencyprogramsandservicesofAmerica’selectriccompanies,andideasonwhatyoucandotoreduceyourcarbonfootprint.

•ases.orgForideasandinformationfromtheAmericanSolarEnergy

Society.•dsireusa.orgTheDatabaseofStateIncentivesforRenewables&Efficiency,agoodclearinghouseofstate-by-stateinformation.

•awea.orgForinformationfromtheAmericanWindEnergyAssociation.•nari.orgForinformationfromtheNationalAssociationoftheRemodelingIndustry.

•nahb.orgForinformationfromtheNationalAssociationofHomeBuilders.

•ase.orgForinformationfromtheAmericanAlliancetoSaveEnergy.•epa.gov/watersenseForinformationontheEPA’sWaterSenseprogram.•wecansolveit.orgForinformationongreenenergysolutionsfromtheAllianceforClimateProtection.

•green-e.orgAgroupthatallowspeopletosearchforcompaniesthatsupplycertifiedgreenpowerintheirstate.(ThecertificationisdonebythenonprofitCenterforResourceSolutions—resource-solutions.org—whichannuallyverifiesthattheprovidersliveuptotherenewable-energyguidelinessetbyGreen-e.)

•eere.energy.govTolearnmoreabouttheDOE’sBuildingAmericaprogramsandtofindvirtuallyeverythingyou’dwanttoknowaboutcreatinganenergy-efficienthome,includinghowtogetahomeenergyaudit.Also,foralistofsustainableenergyoptionsofferedineachstate,seeitsGreenPowerNetworkpageateere.energy.gov/greenpower.

•HeatpumpwaterheatersThesesystemsuseelectricitytomoveheatfromoneplacetoanotherinsteadofgeneratingheatdirectlytoheatwater.Theycanbeeitherstand-alonewaterheatingsystems,orbeacombinationwater-heatingandspace-conditioningsystem.Youcanalsoretrofitaheatpumptoworkwithanexistingconventionalstoragewaterheater.Theycanonlybeinstalledinlocationsthatremaininthe40º–90ºFrangeyear-roundandprovideatleast1,000cubicfeetofairspacearoundthewaterheater.Heatpumpwaterheatersystemstypicallyhavehigherinitialcoststhanconventionalstoragewaterheaters.However,theyhaveloweroperatingcosts,whichcanoffsettheirhigherpurchaseandinstallationprices.

•SolarwaterheatersAlsocalledsolardomestichotwatersystems,thesecan

bequitecost-effectiveingeneratinghotwaterforyourhome.Theycanalsobeusedinanyclimate,andthefueltheyuse—sunshine—isfree.Solarwaterheatingsystemsincludestoragetanksandsolarcollectors.Therearetwotypesofsolarwaterheatingsystems:active,whichhavecirculatingpumpsandcontrols,andpassive,whichdon’t.Mostsolarwaterheatersrequireawell-insulatedstoragetank.Solarwaterheatingsystemsalmostalwaysrequireabackupsystemforcloudydaysandtimesofincreaseddemand.

•TanklesscoilandindirectwaterheatersThesesystemsuseahome’sspace-heatingsystemtoheatwater.They’repartofwhat’scalledintegratedorcombinationwaterandspace-heatingsystems.

HOUSEHOLDAPPLIANCESANDELECTRONICS

InatypicalU.S.home,appliancesandhomeelectronics—clotheswashersanddryers,dishwashers,refrigeratorsandfreezers,roomairconditioners,waterheaters,computers,TVs,DVDplayersandaudioequipment—accountforabout20percentoftheenergybills.Afirststeptowardgreeningyourhomewithrespecttoappliancesandelectronicsistochooseandusenomorethanyoureallyneed.Next,besuretochoosethemostenergy-efficientapplianceorhomeelectronicitemyoucanfind.

Thankstostandardsestablishedbyfederalagencieschargedwithhelpingconsumerspurchasemoreenergy-efficientproducts,therehasbeenamarkedimprovementinapplianceperformanceoverthepastseveralyears.InadditiontotheFederalTradeCommission(FTC),theseagenciesincludethepreviouslymentionedDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)andtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),whichjointlyrunthecountry’sEnergyStarprogram.Whenshoppingforandcomparingenergy-efficientappliances,alwayslookfortheyellowandblackEnergyGuidelabel,whichisrequiredbytheU.S.FederalTradeCommissiononmosthomeappliances,exceptforstoverangesandovens.(TheEnergyGuidelabelisalsonotrequiredonhomeelectronics,suchascomputers,televisionsandhomeaudioequipment.)EnergyGuidelabelsprovideanestimateoftheproduct’senergyconsumptionorenergyefficiency.Theyalsoshowthehighestandlowestenergyconsumptionorefficiencyestimatesofsimilarappliancemodels.

Refrigeratorsandwinecoolersusemoreenergythananyotherkitchenappliance,butEnergyStar–approvedmodelsreduceenergyconsumption.

AlsolookforEnergyStarlabels,whichappearonappliancesandhomeelectronicsthatmeetstrictenergy-efficiencycriteriaestablishedbytheDOEandEPA.TheEnergyStarprogramlabelsmosthomeelectronicsandappliances,exceptforwaterheaters,stoverangesandovens,andhelpsconsumersreducetheirenergybillsandgreenhousegasemissions.InsomecasesEnergyStar–approvedappliancescost10to15percentmorethancomparableproducts,butthesavingsinenergycostsovertheirlifespanshouldmorethancoverthisinitialinvestment.Also,manylocalwaterandpowercompaniesofferrebatesortaxincentivesforreplacingoldapplianceswithnewenergy-efficientmodels.Contactyourlocalutility,orenteryourzipcodeundertherebatefinderontheEnergyStarwebsitetofindoutaboutpossiblerebates(seesidebarhere).

AsleekrangehoodeliminatescontaminantsandblendsseamlesslywithakitchendesignedbyYianniDoulisandJessicaHelgerson.

CalculatingandControllingEnergyEfficiency

TheDOE’sEnergyEfficiencyandRenewableEnergywebsiteofferstoolsthancanhelpyoudecidewhethertoinvestinamoreenergy-efficientappliance,determineyourelectricityloads,orestimateapplianceenergyconsumption.Toestimateanappliance’senergyconsumption,forexample,itoffersthisformula:Wattage×HoursUsedPerDay÷1000=DailyKilowatt-hour(kWh)consumption.

Youshouldmultiplythisbythenumberofdaysyouusetheapplianceduringtheyearfortheannualconsumption.YoucanthencalculatetheannualcosttorunanappliancebymultiplyingthekWhperyearbyyourlocalutility’srateperkWhconsumed.

Onecaveat:Toestimatethenumberofhoursthatarefrigeratoractuallyoperatesatitsmaximumwattage,you’llneedtodividethetotaltimetherefrigeratorispluggedinbythree.Althoughtheyareturned“on”allthetime,refrigeratorsactuallycycleonandofftomaintaininteriortemperatures.Youcan

refrigeratorsactuallycycleonandofftomaintaininteriortemperatures.Youcanusuallyfindthewattageofmostappliancesstampedonthebottomorbackoftheappliance,oronitsnameplate.Ifthewattageisnotlistedontheappliance,youcanstillestimateitbyfindingthecurrentdraw(inamperes),whichistypicallyprintedonaratingplateattachedtotheappliance,andmultiplyingthatbythevoltageusedbytheappliance.MostappliancesintheUnitedStatesuse120volts.Largerappliances,suchasclothesdryersandelectriccooktops,use240volts.

Manyappliancescontinuetodrawasmallamountofpower,knownasaphantomload,whentheyareswitchedoff.Thisoccursinmostappliancesthatuseelectricity,suchastelevisions,stereos,computersandkitchenappliances.Theseloadscanbeeliminatedbyunpluggingtheappliance,orbyusingapowerstripandswitchingoffthepowerstriptocutallpowertotheappliancewhenit’snotinuse.

Ifyouhaveanolderappliance,youcanalsouseapower-controllingdevicetoreducetheenergyconsumptionoftheappliance’selectricmotor.Thesepower-controllingdevicesbasicallyregulatethepowerdeliveredtoanappliance’smotorbycontinuouslyadjustingthe60-cyclesinewavefromtheutilitytomatchchangesintheloadonthemotor.Appliancesnewerthan1990mayseenoenergysavingsatall,duetotheirexistingenergy-savingfeatures.Insomecases,thecontrollerslightlyincreasestheappliance’selectricalconsumption.

CookingAppliances

Fromanenergyperspective,yourrefrigeratorwillbemoreimportantthanyourcookingappliances,sincethefridgewilloperatearoundtheclock.Asaresult,cookingappliancesaren’tevencoveredbytheEnergyStarprogramortheminimumfederalefficiencystandards.Soifyouwanttochooseagreencookingdeviceyou’llneedtochoosewhetheryouwantonethatconsumeslessenergytocookoronethatcreateslessindoorairpollution.Here’sabriefsummaryofthecharacteristicsofdifferenttypesofcookingappliances.

InacompactkitchendesignedbyScottMartinofBluePlumDesign,adowndraftventriseswhenneededfromanislandcooktop.

•GasCooktopsGasappliancesarecertainlymoreenergy-efficientthanelectricones,andtheyburnthefuelwhereyouneedit.Butburninggasproducespotentiallyharmfulcombustion,withbyproductsincludingcarbonmonoxide,carbondioxideandnitrogendioxide.Ifyoucookwithgas,alwaysusearangehood,preferablyonethatisductedtotheoutside.Andlookforgasrangeswithsealedburners.

•ElectricCooktopsAmongtheelectriccooktopssoldintheU.S.,mosthaveeithercoilelementsorheat-resistantceramicglassplacedoverradiantribbons.Bothoffersimilarefficiency,thoughcoilelementsheatupfaster.Otherelectriccooktopsincludesoliddisk,halogenandinductionburners.Soliddiskandhalogentechnologiesarelessefficientorasefficientascoilorceramicglasscooktops.Butinductioncooktopsarethemostenergy-efficientofallelectrictechnologies.They’realsoveryresponsivetotemperaturesettings,almostcomparabletogasranges.However,theyareveryexpensive.

•ConvectionOvensBecausetheseovenshaveaninternalfanthatdistributeshotairevenly,temperaturesandcookingtimescanbedecreased,reducingenergyusebyupto30percent.They’remoreexpensive,however,andmaynotbeworththesavingsinyourenergybill,unlessyoucookalot.

•ConventionalGasandElectricOvensElectricovensmaintainamoreeven

temperaturethangasovensandtheydon’tpolluteyourhomewithcombustionbyproducts.Ifyouhaveagasoven,youshouldruntheexhaustfanwhiletheovenisoperating.Self-cleaningovensusuallyarebetterinsulatedthanmanualovens,makingthemmoreefficient.

•MicrowaveOvensHeatingthoughtheuseofhigh-frequencyradiowaves,microwavesreducecookingtimeandenergyusebyupto75percent,makingthemextremelyenergy-efficient.Buttheyarenotsuitableforcertaintypesofcooking,suchasbrowningandbaking,sosomepeopleopttoforgothem.Othersareconcernedthattheycausefoodtolosenutritionalvalueormakefoodradioactive,despitealackofanyconvincingevidence.Andallmanufacturersmustcomplywithfederalsafetyregulationstomakethemsafetooperate.

•Rangehoods:Whetheryouchooseanunder-cabinetmodel,achimney-styleversion,oradowndraftstyle,arangehood’sprimaryjobistoremovecontaminantslikecarbonmonoxideandeliminateodors.Assuch,thedowndraftsystemsaren’taseffectiveastheoverheadmodels,andtoreallyworkproperlytheymustbeventedtotheoutdoors.

Astainlesssteelrangehoodcomplementsthiskitchen’sindustrial-stylelightfixtures,whicharefittedwithenergy-savingCFLs.

GreenKitchenTipsBeashealthyandenergy-efficientaspossibleinthekitchenbyfollowingthesetips:

•Eliminatetheuseofsmallelectronicgadgetsforchopping,grindingandmixingbyhandlingthesetasksmanuallyinstead.

•Installacarbonmonoxidealarm.•Cookmealsinsmallappliances,suchasamicrowaveortoasteroven,tosaveenergy.

•Recycleyouroldappliances.Askyourpowercompanyaboutrecyclingrebates,checkwithyourlocalrecyclingdepartmentorvisitearth911.orgtofindouthowtorecycleappliancesyouplantoreplace.

•Refrigerateresponsiblyandoptoutofinstallingspecialwine,outdoorormini-refrigeratorsifpossible.

•Replacearefrigeratorthatismorethan12yearsoldwithanewEnergyStar–approvedmodel.

•Choosearefrigeratorwithafreezerontop.It’smoreefficientthanabottomfreezermodelandmuchmoreefficientthanaside-by-sidemodel.

bottomfreezermodelandmuchmoreefficientthanaside-by-sidemodel.•Avoidrefrigeratorswiththrough-the-dooriceandwaterdispensers.Theycanincreaseenergyconsumptionbyupto20percent.

•Keepplatesunderburnerscleansotheyreflectheatwell.•Checktobesuregasflamesburnblue.Iftheflamesareorange,yourburnersprobablyneedservicing.

HomeElectronics

Fromagreenperspective,it’shardtofindsimpleanswerstosimplequestionsabouthomeelectronics.Say,forexample,youwanttoknowwhetherLCDandplasmadisplayTVsaremoreenergy-efficientthanoldcathoderaytube(CRT)screens.Oryou’dliketoknowwhichismoreenergy-efficient,aplasmaorLCD.Theanswerdependsnotonlyonwhichkindofflatscreenyou’retalkingabout,butalsoonwhenyoupurchasedorplantopurchaseit,howbigitis,howyouuseitandhowpowerconsumptionismeasuredtoday.

Acompact,under-counterrefrigeratorsufficesforafamilyoftwoandrequiresalotlessenergytooperatethanalargeone.

Intermsofthenewflat-screenTVsversusoldCRTTVs,forexample,flat-screenTVstypicallyconsumemoreenergythansmaller-screenedCRTTVs.Onereportfoundthatplasmatelevisions,whichareoftenabout50percentbiggerthantheircathode-ray-tubeequivalents,consumeaboutfourtimesmoreenergy.Andwhenlookingatthecarbonemissionsfromthepowerplants,thesamereportfoundthatold-styleTVsproduceaboutone-quarteroftheclimate-warmingCO2peryearthatlargerplasmascreensdo.

Asfarasthegreentrade-offsbetweenplasmaversusLCDs,theprevailingwisdomisthatplasmascreensarethebiggerconsumersofpowerbecauseaplasmascreenismadeupofpixels,eachofwhichhasanindividuallightsourcethatgetsilluminatedasneeded.AnLCDalwayshasabacklightilluminatingtheentirescreen.Asaresult,energyconsumptionalsovariesdependingonwhatyou’rewatching.AtestconductedbyCallforHelp,atelevisionprogramspotlightingtechnology,measuredtheelectricityconsumedbysimilar-sizedplasmaandLCDtelevisions.ItfoundthatmostofthetimeLCDscreensconsumedlesspower,exceptwhentheydisplayedasolidcolorbackgroundon

thescreenorwhentherewasstaticelectricity.Sizealsomatters.Theconsensusseemstobethatwithsmaller-screenTVs

(under40inches),anLCDisgenerallymoreefficientthanaCRTtelevision.Butforlargescreensizes(50inchesandabove),aprojectionTVmaybethemostefficienttypeoftelevisionyoucanbuy.

Lightfixturesondimmers,reflectivesurfaces,windows,andsleekdraperiescreateaneasy-to-control,energy-efficientlightingscheme.

Amixofpendant,taskandrecessedceilingfixturesarefittedwithdimmable,energy-efficientlightsourcesforlayeredillumination.

You’llsaveelectricitymostofthetimebybuyinganLCD—thoughyou’llspendmoreontheinitialpurchase.You’llalsosavepowerifyouunplugitfromthewallwhenyou’renotusingit.Thosesavingsincreaseifyou’vegotDVDplayers,tuners,andothersystemshookeduptoyourTV,sincetheytypicallyremaininalow-poweredbutstandbymodewhenyoushutthemoffaswell.Plasma-screenTVsgeneratealotofheat,usemorecurrentandrequire60percentmorepowerthananequivalentLCD.

HomeOfficeEfficiency

Forthe18millionhome-basedbusinessownersandsome24milliontelecommutingAmericans—aswellasunemployedpeoplesearchingforjobsthroughtheirPCs—higherenergybillsforcombinedhomeofficesandresidencescaneatawayatprofits.Buttherearewaystoreduceenergycostswhiletakingcareofbusinessathome.

Alotofpersonalcomputersnowcomewithapower-downorsleepmodefeaturefortheCPUandmonitor.EnergyStar–ratedcomputerspowerdowntoa

featurefortheCPUandmonitor.EnergyStar–ratedcomputerspowerdowntoasleepmodethatconsumes15wattsofpowerorless—about70percentlessthantheelectricityusedbyacomputerwithoutpowermanagementfeatures.EnergyStar–ratedmonitorscanpowerdownintotwosuccessivesleepmodes,onemoreefficientthantheother.Tomakethepower-downfeatureeffective,however,youmustactivateitonyourPCthroughyouroperatingsystemsoftware.

Asculpturaloverheadfixtureandcompactdesklampaddenergy-efficientfunctionandstyletothiscompactworkspace.

Also,beawarethatscreensaversarenotenergysavers—andinfactcanusemoreenergythannotusingone.Plus,thepower-downfeaturemaynotworkifyouhaveascreensaveractivated.ModernLCDcolormonitorsdonotneedscreensaversatall.

Asfarasturningoffyourcomputerwhenit’snotinuse,bearinmindthatthoughthereisasmallsurgeinenergywhenacomputerstartsup,thissmallamountofenergyisstilllessthantheenergyusedwhenacomputerisrunningforlongperiodsoftime.Forenergysavingsandconvenience,turnoffthemonitorifyouaren’tgoingtouseyourcomputerformorethan20minutesandturnoffboththeCPUandmonitorifyou’renotgoingtouseyourcomputerformorethan2hours.

Formoreefficiency,besureyourmonitors,printersandotheraccessoriesare

Formoreefficiency,besureyourmonitors,printersandotheraccessoriesareonapowerstrip/surgeprotector.Whenthisequipmentisnotinuseforextendedperiods,turnofftheswitchonthepowerstriptopreventthemfromdrawingpowerevenwhenshutoff.Ifyoudon’tuseapowerstrip,unplugextraequipmentwhenit’snotinuse.

Tocutrelatedannualenergyexpensesby30percent,chooseEnergyStar–labeledcomputers,monitors,printers,scanners,copiers,faxmachines,multi-functiondevices,lighting,cordlessphones,answeringmachines,audioequipmentandroomairconditioners.

WattageofStandardAppliancesandElectronicsHereareafewexamplesoftherangeofwattagesforvarioushouseholdappliances:Clockradio = 10Clotheswasher = 350–500Clothesdryer = 1,800–5,000Coffeemaker = 900–1,200Dehumidifier = 785

Dishwasher = 1,200–2,400(usingthedryingfeaturegreatlyincreasesenergyconsumption)

Ceilingfan = 65–175Whole-housefan = 240–750Hairdryer = 1,200–1,875Clothesiron = 1,000–1,800Microwaveoven = 750–1,100PersonalcomputerCPU(awake/asleep) = 120/30orlessMonitor(awake/asleep) = 150/30orless

Laptop = 50Radio(stereo) = 70–400Refrigerator(frost-free,16cubicfeet) = 725

Television(color)19" = 65–11036" = 133Flatscreen = 120Toaster = 800–1,400VCR/DVDplayer = 17–21/20–25Vacuumcleaner = 1,000–1,440Waterheater(40-gallon) = 4,500–5,500

Thequantityandqualityoflightinourhomeprofoundlyaffectsourhealth,comfortandproductivity.Butartificiallightingalsoconsumesenergy—almost15percentofahousehold’selectricityuse.However,newfixtures,sourcesandlightingcontrolscanreducelightingenergyuseinhomesbyupto75percent.Toreduceenergyconsumedbylighting,considertheseilluminationstrategiesforinsidethehouseandout.

LIGHTING

Indoors

Installfluorescentbulbsinallceiling-andwall-mountedfixturesthatwillbeonformorethan2hourseachday,andifpossible,usededicatedcompactfluorescentfixtures,ratherthaninsertingCFLbulbsinincandescentfixtures,toensuretheuseoffluorescentsoverthelifeofthehouse.Also,chooseEnergyStar–labledfixturesifpossibleandinstalloccupancysensorsthatwillautomaticallyturnlightsonandoffasneeded.

Mostenergy-efficientlightsourceshavecolortemperaturesthatgenerateacoolerlightthanincandescents.Also,theirabilitytorendercolorinawaythat’struevariesconsiderably.However,advancesintechnologyhaveenabledthecolortemperatureorcolorrenderingcapabilityofsomeofthesesourcestomorecloselyresemblethatofincandescentsourcesorthequalityofdaylight.Ingeneral,coollightispreferableforvisualtasksbecauseitproduceshighercontrastthanwarmlight.Warmlightisbetterforlivingspacesbecauseitismoreflatteringtoskintonesandclothing.

Becausemostobjectsarenotjustonecolorbutacombinationofmanycolors,lightsourcesthatdon’trendercolorwellmaychangetheapparentcolorofanobject.Abulb’sColorRenditionIndex(CRI)measuresitsabilitytorendercolorsthesamewaysunlightdoes.Rankedonascaleof1to100,with100atthetop,aCRIvalueof100isbasedonilluminationbya100-wattincandescentlightbulb.AlightsourcewithaCRIof80orhigherisconsideredacceptableformostindoorresidentialapplications.

Exteriorlanternsflankingthedoorarefittedwithenergy-efficientsourcestosoftlyilluminateacoveredpatioonthishomebyWesketchArchitecture.

Outdoors

Inresidentialsettings,outdoorlightingilluminatesthehouseandlandscape,providessecurityandhelpspeoplenavigatetoandfromthehouse.Securityandutilitylightingdoesnotneedtobebrighttobeeffective,soefficient,lower-wattagelightsourcescandothetrick.Ifpossible,usefluorescent,high-intensitydischarge(HID),orlow-pressuresodiumlightscombinedwithmotionsensorsorphotosensors.Also,choosefixturesthathavereflectorsorcoverstomakemoreefficientuseofthelightsourceandcontrollightpollution.Ifpossible,usetimersorothercontrolstoturndecorativelightingonandoff,andinstallsolarlightingwheneverpossible.

Daylighting

Forthemostefficientuseoflightinyourhome,it’shelpfultocombineyourartificiallightingschemewithdaylightingstrategies,whichareprovidedthroughwindowsandskylightsandenableyoutominimizetheuseofartificiallightduringtheday.Maximizetheuseofnaturaldaylightinyourhometofurtherreducetheneedforartificiallighting.Thebestapproachtodaylightinginyourhomewilldependonyourclimateandhome’sdesign.Thesizesandlocationsofwindowsshouldbebasedonthecardinaldirectionsratherthantheireffectonthestreet-sideappearanceofthehouse.

•South-facingwindowsarebestfordaylightingandformoderatingseasonal

temperatures,astheyallowmaximumwintersunlightintothehome.Youcanminimizedirectsunduringthesummerwithpropershades.

•North-facingwindowsadmitrelativelyeven,naturallight,producinglittleglareandalmostnounwantedheatgain.

•East-andwest-facingwindowsprovidegooddaylightinthemorningandevening,respectively,butshouldbelimited,asthelighttheyadmitcausesglareandheatduringthesummerwhenitisusuallynotwanted.Theyalsocontributelittletosolarheatingduringthewinter.

TurningOfftheLightsThecost-effectivenessofturningofflightsdependsonthetypeoflightsandthepriceofelectricity.Thetypeoflightisimportantforseveralreasons.Alltypesoflightsourceshavearatedoperatinglife.Buttheoperatinglifeofalltypesoflightbulbsdependsonhowmanytimestheyareturnedonandoff.Themoreoftentheyareswitchedonandoff,thelowertheiroperatinglife.

•Incandescentbulbsshouldbeturnedoffwhenevertheyarenotneeded.Mostincandescentlightbulbsarefairlyinexpensivetoproduceandarerelativelyinefficient.Onlyabout10to15percentoftheelectricitythatincandescentlightsconsumeresultsinlight—therestisturnedintoheat.

•Fluorescentlightsaremorecomplextoevaluatefromacost-effectivenessperspectivewhendecidingwhethertoleavethemonorturnthemoff.InmostareasoftheUnitedStates,ageneralruleofthumbistoturnthemoffifyouleavearoomformorethan15minutes.Fluorescentlightsaremoreexpensivetobuy,andtheiroperatinglifeismoreaffectedbythenumberoftimestheyareswitchedonandoff,relativetoincandescentlights.

SwitchingtoaGreenPowerProviderThereisadifferencebetweensuppliersanddeliverersofpower.Theformercreateelectricity,whilethelattermaintainpowerlinesandbringtheelectricitytoyourhome.Consumerscanonlychangepowersuppliers.Armedwiththisknowledge,here’showyoucanmaketheswitch:

•FindinggreenpowersuppliersCheckoutGreen-e(greene.org),agroupthatallowspeopletosearchforcompaniesthatsupplycertifiedgreenpowerintheirstate.(ThecertificationisdonebythenonprofitCenterforResourceSolutions,whichannuallyverifiesthattheprovidersliveuptotherenewable-energyguidelinessetbyGreen-e.)Goto“BuyGreen-eCertified,”selectyourstate,andahandfulofchoicesshouldpopup.Inyourarea,thesemightincludepurveyorsofhydropower,windpoweroracombinationofboth.InadditiontoGreen-e,youcangototheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’sGreenPowerNetworksiteforalistofsustainableenergyoptionsofferedineachstate.

•TakingstockInordertochoosethebest(andleastexpensive)solution,digoutyourelectricbillsandaveragethesupplycostofyourelectricityoverthelastyear.Lookoveryourstatementscarefullytofindjustthesupplycost—itcanbehiddenintheNotessection.

•PerusingplansOnceyouknowyouraveragecost—say14.1¢perkilowatthour(kwh)—gotothewebsiteofeachofthegreenpowersuppliersinyourareaandlookattheirdifferentplans.Somehavefixed-rateoptions(usuallylastingoneyear),andsomeproposevariable-rateplans,inwhichthecostfluctuatesasthemarketdoes.

•RunningthenumbersCompareyour14.1¢ratewiththegreenplansthatofferfixedrates.Onesuchplancouldcost15.4¢perkwhformixedpower(windandhydro);anothermaycost16.9¢forallwind.Mostcompaniesofferingvariable-rateplanslistontheirwebsiteswhattheyhavebeenchargingforgreenpoweroverthepastseveralmonths.(Ifyoufindonethatdoesn’tprovidesuchinformation,makeacallandask.)Someofthesecompaniescanaveragecheaperratesthanbothyourregularsupplierandthegreenfixed-rateplans!

•MakingadecisionAftercomparingdifferences,you’llprobablychoosetheonewiththelowestaveragerateoverthepastseveralmonths,sayamixed-powervariable-rateplan.Onceyouswitchfromfossilfuel–generatedenergyyourbillswilldecrease.Itfeelsprettygoodtobegreen.

SolarPower

Flipaswitch,andthelightsturnon.Pluginapowercord,andelectricityflows.Ourhouseholdpowerneedsareinstantlymet,anduntilrecently,we’vegivenlittlethoughttothecosts—botheconomicandenvironmental—ofhaving

littlethoughttothecosts—botheconomicandenvironmental—ofhavingelectricitysoreadilyavailable.Butgreenawarenesscastsadifferentlightonthiseverydayconvenience.IntheUnitedStates,electricalpowerisgeneratedbyfacilitiesthatrelyon(indescendingorder)coal,naturalgasornuclearpower—allsourcesthatcomewithseriousenvironmentalcaveats.Asforprice,electricityisstillrelativelyaffordable,althoughthedollaramountvariesbyregion(rangingfrom5¢perkilowatt-hourinWyomingto16¢perkilowatt-hourinConnecticut).WiththeaverageAmericanhouseholduseat11,000kilowatt-hoursperyear,theaverageannualresidentialelectricalpricetagcomesinunder$1,000—butcostsareboundtoincreaseastheenvironmentaltollmounts.

Atrioofstylishpendantsprovidesdimmablefocusedilluminationoverthediningtable,whileceilingfixturesonseparateswitchesofferdiffuseambientlight.

Oneofthegreenestthingsyoucandoistapintothepowerofthesunforsomeorallofyourhome’selectricalneeds.DoyouneedtoliveinsunnyCaliforniatotakeadvantageofthesun’senergy?Notatall.Aslongasaportionofyourroofgetsfullsunlightbetween10A.M.and2P.M.year-round,you’reacandidateforrooftop-mountedsolarpanels,whichhaveimprovedvastlyinbothlooksandtechnologyinrecentyears.Whereassolarpanelsoncewereusedalmostexclusivelyforheatingyourhome’swatersupply(inthe1970sand’80s),todaytherearemanyapplicationsofsolarpower—fromprovidingyourhome’selectricitytoheatingtheswimmingpool.Bestofall,therearestateandfederaltaxincentivesandrebatesthataremakingitmoreaffordableforhomeownerstofollowtheirgreenconscience,reimbursing25%ormoreofinstallationcosts.Here’sinformationtohelpyoudecidewhat’srightforyou.

Whilealltheseapplicationsarepopular,solarpowerissosite-specific—dependingonyourroof’sorientation,size,shading,andotherfactors—thatyouwillwanttohaveprofessionalassessyourhome’spotential.Usethe“FindaSolarPro”toolatases.org(theAmericanSolarEnergySociety)togetstarted.

It’salsohelpfultobecomefamiliarwiththeincentivesandrebatesavailablewhereyoulive.Agoodclearinghouseofstate-by-stateinformationcanbefoundatdsireusa.org,theDatabaseofStateIncentivesforRenewables&Efficiency.Eachstatehasitsownenergyoffice,whichcanbefoundthroughanInternetsearch,andthereisgoodbasicinformationaboutsolarpowerattheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’swebsite,eere.energy.gov.

ChoosingyourBulbA“lamp”isthetermusedinthelightingindustrytodescribewhatismostcommonlycalledalightbulb.Thekeytolightingenergysavingsliesinyourchoiceoflamps.Checkouttheoptions:

•TraditionalincandescentThemostfrequentlyusedlampsinresidentialapplications,theyprovideawarm,consistentanddiffuselight.Theyareinexpensivebutnotenergyefficient.Averagecost:75¢perbulb.Theylastabout750–2,500hours.Theircolortemperatureisabout2,700–2,800degreesKelvin.

•CompactfluorescentCFLsuse to theelectricityofanincandescentyetlastupto10timeslongerwithoutsacrificingtheamountoflight.Thesesourceshaveareputationforofferingcoolanddiffuselight,butthey’veimprovedinrecentyearstoprovideawarmerlightthatresemblesincandescentornaturallight.Averagecost:$2.50perbulb.Theselampslastupto10,000hours.Thecolortemperatureofwarm-whiteCFLsisabout2,700–3,000degreesKelvin;cool-whiteorbright-lightCFLsare4,000–4,200degreesKelvin.DaylightCFLsareratedas5,000degreesKelvinandhigher.

•TungstenhalogenTheyproduceabright,warmincandescentlight.Theyalsohavealongerlifeandaremoreenergy-efficientthanstandardincandescentbulbs,butarenotasefficientasCFLs.Theyusuallyprovidefocusedlight.Averagecost:about$4perbulb.Theircolortemperaturerangesfrom2,900–3,200degreesKelvin.Theylastabout2,000–4,000hours.

•XenonandkryptonTheseincandescentsourcesproduceclear,warm,whitelightandareveryenergy-efficient.Xenonbulbscomeinawiderangeofshapesandsizeswithavarietyofbasesfordifferentapplications,

includingunder-cabinetlighting.Theylastabout10,000hours,withcolortemperaturesfrom3,000-12,000degreesKelvin.Averagecost:about$4perbulb.

•LEDLight-emittingdiodebulbsprovideabright,clearlight,andprofessionalsbelieveastechnologyimproves,theywillreplaceCFLsandincandescentbulbs.Theyarehighlyenergy-efficientandlast50–100timeslongerthanastandardincandescent(upto20years),buttheircolorrenderingabilityisstillevolving.Colortemperaturesstartatabout2,700degreesKelvin.Theylastbetween30,000–100,000hours.Averagecost:$15–$100perbulb.

POWERTHEWHOLEHOME:PHOTOVOLTAICSPhotovoltaic(PV)systemsuseanarrayofsolarpanelsormodulestocreateelectricityforahome;therooftop-mountedpanelsareconnectedtothehouse’selectricalpanel,andthewholesystemcanbetiedintothepowergrid,meaningahomeownercanendupwithacreditfromthepowercompany.NewtechnologyhasresultedinPVcellsthataresleekandunobtrusive,rangingfromjetblacktodarkblue.

Aphotovoltaicsystemcanbesizedtomeetyourentirehousehold’selectricalneedsorjustaportion:a5-kilowattsystemofsleekpolycrystallinePVcellmodules,forexample,mightcoverseveralhundredsquarefeetofroof,ataninstalledcost(beforerebates)of$40,000to$50,000,andgenerate5,500kilowatt-hoursperyear.

SMALL-SCALESOLARPOWERIftheinitialcostofalargephotovoltaicsystemistoohigh,oriftheportionofyourroofthatgetsfullsunissmall,youmayconsiderasmallerphotovoltaicsystem.Forexample,a2-kilowattarrayofmodulescouldbeinstalledonagardenshedroof,orsouth-facingporchroof,generating2,000kilowatt-hoursperyear.Atypicalroof-mountedgrid-connectedphotovoltaicsystemcostsbetween$7to$9perwatt,makinga2kWphotovoltaicstystemaround$18,000(beforerebates).Note:Theinitialticketpricemaybelessforasmallersystem;however,itcostsmoreperwattthanalargersystem.

Solar-PoweredWaterHeaterUsingthesun’senergytopreheatthewaterthatgoesintoanexistinghotwaterheaterreducestheenergyoutlayneededbeforedomestichotwaterisdeliveredtotheshower,sinkorlaundry.Atypicalsystemmightincludetwo4×8-footflatplatecollectorsmountedontheroof,andan80-to120-gallonstoragetank;installedcostsrunfrom$10,000to$15,000(beforerebates).

LargepicturewindowsinalivingspacedesignedbyarchitectJosephEisnerletinnaturallightandopenontoviewsofthepoolandwoodedsurroundings.Energy-efficientrecessedceilingfixturesprovideambientlightatnight,whileapendantprovidestaskilluminationnexttothereadingchair.

SolarPoolHeatingRooftop-mountedcollectionequipmentallowsthesuntoheatyourpoolwater,eliminatingtheneedforaconventionalpoolheater.Rooftoptubesorplates—typicallymountedonapoolhouseoroutbuildingnearthepool—receivewaterfromyourtap,thesunheatsthewater,thenthewaterissenttothepoolitself.Thecostrunsabout$4,500to$6,000installed(beforerebates).

What’sInside?

White-washedbrickandrusticatedwoodbeamsaddeco-friendlycharactertoaroomfurnishedbydesignerJanieHirsch.

InthelivingroomofahomedesignedbyWesketchArchitecture,sustainablewoodfloorsandceilingtrussesaddwarmth.

Surroundingyourselfwithaneco-friendlylandscapeandbuildingahealthy,well-insulatedhomepoweredwithenergy-efficientsystemsandappliancesareessentialfirststepstowardgreenliving.Butthesurfacesinsideyourhome—thewalls,floors,cabinetsandcountertops—areequallyimportantingredientsinanurturing,sustainablehousehold.Becauseyou’llcomeintocontactwiththesesurfacesonadailybasis,theyshouldbeascomfortingandenvironmentallyfriendlyaspossible.Unfortunately,manyoftheseelementscanbemadeofmaterialsortreatedwithfinishesthatcandomoreharmthangood—particularlyinnewerhomeswithtighterbuildingenvelopes,whichcansealintoxicemissionsthatdeteriorateindoorairquality.

Thankstothegrowingdemandforenvironmentallyfriendlybuildingproducts,however,healthier,nonpollutingsurfacesandfinishesarenowbecomingreadilyavailableinthemarketandarecompetitiveincostandperformancetocomparable,moretoxicproducts.Andaswithexteriormaterials,theoptionsarevastandtheireco-friendlinessisvariable.Sofromagreenperspective,you’llsometimeshavetomaketradeoffsbetweendurability,healthymaterials,aestheticsandprice.Thefollowingoverviewofinterior

healthymaterials,aestheticsandprice.Thefollowingoverviewofinteriorsurfaceoptionswillprovideideasonchoicesthatcannurtureandsupportyourhealthandtheplanet’s,too.

INTERIORWALLANDCEILINGSURFACES

Low-VOCpaint,bambooflooringwithatileinset,andrecycledpiecesaddinteresttoakitchenbytheBreakfastRoom.

•GypsumIfyouhaven’toptedforoneoftheearth-masonryconstructionmethodsforyourhome,andithasbeenbuiltwithaframeconstruction,theinteriorwallswilllikelybemadeofgypsumboard,whichisalsoknownasdrywallorSheetrock.Composedofnaturalgypsumsandwichedbetweensmoothpapersurfacesmadeofrecyclednewsprint,the4×8-footsheetsareattachedtoahome’sframingstuds,thentaped,sealedandtexturedorpainted.Theyarepredisposedtomoldgrowthifexposedtowaterdamage,andthejointcompoundusedtocovertheseamsbetweenthemmaycontaintoxicchemicals.Theycanalsoabsorbtoxicbyproductsofcombustionthatcanoutgasintothebuildingenvelope.Tocontroltheseissues,gypsumboardshouldbetightlysealedandtaped,treatedwithalow-toxicitypowderedjointcementortexturecompound,andhavefoamedorgasketedsillsandtopplatesaroundallopenings,suchaswindowsanddoors,tolimitmoisturepenetration.Otheroptionsincludeglass-facedwallboardsormagnesiumoxideboards,whicharemostresistanttomoldandmoisture.Also,moisture-resistantcementitiousbackerboardswithoutpaperbackingsorlikesurfacesshouldbeusedinareassuchastubandshowersurrounds.

•PlasterWhileexpensiveduetothelaborinvolvedinitsapplication,plasterisbothabeautifulandhealthyinteriorwallfinish.It’sgoodatblockingtraceamountsofVOCsingypsumboard,but,duetoshrinkageorshifting,candevelopcracks,whichshouldbefilledwithanontoxicsealant.Plastersthatcontainpolyvinyladditivesthatcanoutgasshouldbeavoided.Becauseoftheirgoodhygroscopicqualities,clay-basedplastersarewonderfulinteriorwallfinishes.Butplastersareporousandwillshowstainsunlessproperlyfinished.Youcanapplyanaturalfinish,suchasbeeswax,overplaster.Oryoucanprotectthesurfacewithpaintorasyntheticclearfinish,butbesuretoevaluatethesefortoxicchemicalcontentstoavoidproblemswithoutgassing.

•Paneling,Molding,Millwork&TrimEco-friendlywallpaneling,moldingandotherarchitecturalelements,suchasbeadboard,boardandbatten,wainscoting,crownmolding,chairrails,columnsandvarioustrimsthataremadeofwoodorwoodbyproducts(includingparticleboard,MDF,veneer,solidlumber,hybridlumberandotherwoodfiberproducts),shouldbecertifiedbyarecognizedthird-partyverifier,suchastheForestStewardshipCouncilorSFI,Inc.Whensystemsmadewithanyofthesekindsofwoodproductsaremarkedwiththeirseals,you’llknowthattheycomefromresponsibly-managedforests.Ifyoupurchaseaproductcontainingwoodbyproducts,suchasparticleboard,whichcancontainhighlevelsofformaldehyde,it’shelpfultotrytogetasenseofthechemicalsandadhesivesusedtomakeit.Chooseaproductthatismanufacturedwithenvironmentallyresponsiblepracticesthatminimizewasteandtoxicadditives.Manyoftheseproductsareavailablepreprimedorprepainted.Unlessthey’retreatedwithalow-orno-VOCprimerorpaint,youmightwanttooptfortheunfinishedvariety,eventhoughitwillrequireextrafinishwork.Anothergreenoptionistousereclaimedlumberproductssalvagedfromotherarchitecturallocations.Millworkandmoldingproductsarealsoavailableinsyntheticmaterials,suchasPVC,whichareaffordable,durableandeasytocarefor,butthesewilloutgastoxicemissions.Becausetheseproductsarelightweight,theycanalsobeinstalledwithadhesives,whichoftencontainharmfulchemicals.Soifyouorafamilymemberhavechemicalsensitivities,it’sbesttoavoidthisoption.

•Stone,Tile&GroutSincestoneandtileareessentiallyinertmaterials,especiallyfactory-finishedtilethatrequiresnofurtheronsitefinishing,theyareconsideredhealthy,eco-friendlywallsurfacematerials.Theyarealsolong-lasting,low-maintenancematerials.Butiftheycomeonsomekindofsyntheticbacking,you’llneedtobeawareofthetoxicemissionsthebacking

mightproduce.Also,certainimportedtilesarefinishedwithlead-basedorradioactiveglazes,andsealingproductsfortilescancontainhighlevelsofVOCs.Somegreendesignersexpressconcernsaboutradonorradiationlevelsinstoneandrecommendthatanystone,particularlygranite,bescreenedforradonpriortoinstallation.Stoneandtileadhesives,mortarsandgroutscanalsocontaintoxicchemicals,andsomegroutscontainadditivesorfungicidesthatcanbeharmful.ExpertsrepresentingtheInternationalInstituteforBau-Biologie&Ecology,anorganizationdedicatedtoprovidinginformationonhealthy,sustainabledesign,recommendinstallingtileswithathicksetmethod,usingadditive-freePortlandcement,orawater-mixedthinsettechniquewithoutsyntheticadditivesifpossible.Whilelesstoxic,thesemethodscanbemorepronetocracking,soforgreaterdurabilityyou’dneedtouseawater-mixedthinsetwithvinylpolymers.Ifyouopttouseatileadhesive,alsoknownasanorganicmastic,optforawater-basedproduct,suchasAFMSafecoat3-in-1Adhesive.Usegroutswithoutlatexadditives,ifpossible,andtileandgroutsealers,suchasAFMproducts,thatareasfreefromharmfulchemicalsaspossible.

•PaintsPaintisthemostcommonfinishusedoninteriorwalls,butitcanalsobeoneoftheprimaryperpetratorsofindoorairpollution.Althoughtheoil-based,oralkyd,paintsthatwerefrequentlyusedforinteriorapplicationsinthepastarethemoreseriousoffendersduetothesolventstheycontain,thesepaintsarerarelyusedinresidentialsettingsanymore,thankstoadvancesinthetechnologyanddurabilityoflatex,orwater-based,paints.Whiletherangeintoxicityandperformancecharacteristicsoflatexpaintsisvast,numerouslow-orno-VOCpaintshaverecentlybecomewidelyavailable.KeepinmindthatVOClevelsaretypicallyexpressedingramsperliter,org/l.Until1999,theVOCcontentinpaintswaspushing1000g/l,butfederalregulationshavesincesettheVOCcontentlimitinpaintat250g/l.Toeasilyidentifylow-orno-VOCpaints,lookforproductsthatfeatureaGreenSealsticker,themarkofapprovalofGreenSeal,anindependentgroupthatsetsstandardsforeco-consciousgoods.TheGreenSealcertifiesinteriorpaintsaslow-VOCifthecontentisbelow50g/lforflat-coator150g/lfornon–flat-coatpaints.Zero-VOCpaintsarepaintsthathaveaVOCcontentof5g/lorless.

ArchitectJosephEisnerplacedleatherbolstersintoawallmadeofcertifiedmahoganytocreateasculpturalheadboard.

ThecabinetryinthisbathismadeofLyptus,awoodproductmanufacturedfromtwospeciesoffast-growing,sustainableeucalyptus.

BenjaminMoore’sneweco-friendlyNaturaisavirtuallyodorless,zero-VOCpaintthatdoesn’tsacrificestyleorperformance.

PERFORMANCEANDPRICEEco-friendlypaintswereinitiallyseenasatrend,butthankstogrowingawarenessofenvironmentalissues,increasedconsumerdemandandstateinitiativestocreatestringentregulations,theyarenowacknowledgedaspermanentfixturesinthehomedecorindustry.Infact,mostleadingpaintmanufacturers,includingPittsburghPaints,Sherwin-Williams,DuPont,BenjaminMooreandAmericanPride,havelinesofgreenpaints.EvenTheHomeDepothasalow-VOCpaintwithGlidden’sEcoOptionsline.Whilemanyeco-friendlypaintswereatonetimeseenassynonymouswithcompromisedqualityanddurability,newformulationsperformaswellasorevensurpasstheirtoxiccounterparts.Theeco-friendlypaintsdotendtobemoreexpensivethanconventionalpaints,however,withthepricetagforlow-VOCpaintusuallyabout$2to$3morepergallon.Butdemandisclosingthepricegap.Becausetheyhavefewersolventsandtheconventionaldryingandcuringagentshave

theyhavefewersolventsandtheconventionaldryingandcuringagentshavebeenremoved(orreduced),theytakelongertosetandcanbemoredifficultforinexperiencedpainterstoapply.Amongsomeoftheothereco-friendlypaintspreferredbygreendesignersareEnviro-PureandBenjaminMoore’sAuraandNatura,whichareGreenSeal–certified,andthevariousBioShieldpaints.

WhatareVOCs?Ifbeinginafreshlypaintedroomgivesyouasorethroat,itchyeyesoraheadache,youmaybereactingtothevolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs)inthesolventsaddedtomanycommercialpaintstogivethemtheirconsistency.Asthepaintdries,theVOCsreleasegases.Exposuretothesegasescanbeespeciallydifficultforenvironmentallysensitivepeopleorasthmasufferers,andlong-termexposurecancausehealthproblems.

Manypaintmanufacturersofferlow-orno-VOCalternatives,includingBehr’slow-VOCpaint,BenjaminMoore’sauraandNaturalines,Glidden’severmoreandSherwin-Williams’GreenSurepaints.AGreenSeallabelindicatesthatthepaintcontainsaVOClevelwellbelowtheenvironmentalProtectionagency’sstandard.

VOCsalsooutgasfromstains,adhesivesandsyntheticflooring.VOCsmayincludecarcinogenicchemicals,suchasacetone,toluene,xylene,formaldehyde,andbenzenes.AccordingtotheAmericanlungassociation,thesechemicalscanbedetectedthroughsymptomssuchaseye,noseandthroatirritation,headaches,skinirritationandfatigue.CoughingorshortnessofbreathcanalsosignalthepresenceofVOCs.

MILKPAINTInuseforhundredsofyears,milkpaint—paintmadewithmilkprotein,limeandnaturalpigments—isanothergreenoption.Itgivesrathersheercoverage,anduntilrecentlyhasbeenmainlyusedinrestorationworkortogiveaweatheredlooktofurniture.Butbecauseit’ssoenvironmentallyfriendly,it’sbeingusedmoreandmoreforwalls.Itisnontoxic,andodorlesswhendry,butcansourinitsliquidform,andisnotrecommendedfordamplocationssinceitissusceptibletomildew.

•StainsandSealersSincesolvent-basedwoodstainsandsealerscanbehighlytoxicandoutgaslongafterthey’vebeenappliedtoawoodsurface,greendesignersrecommendusingwater-basedstainsandfinishes(suchasBioShieldorAgriStain),orbio-basedstainsthatcanbeusedonwoodandpaintedsurfaces.Othermorehealthfulnaturalfinishesincludeplant-basedoils,lacquers,waxesandshellacs.

•WallcoveringsAlthoughwallcoveringmanufacturersarejumpingonthegreenbandwagonandbeginningtoproduceeco-friendlyproducts,manywallcoveringsarevinyl-coatedorarepaper-backedvinyl,whichcontainVOCsthatdamageindoorairquality.Theycanalsotrapwatervaporsandproducemold.Inaddition,wallcoveringsaretypicallyappliedwithtoxicadhesives,andtheinksusedtocreatetheirpatternscanalsocontainharmfulchemicals.Ifyouwanttouseawallcoveringinagreenhome,searchforonemadewithnaturalmaterialsthatcanbeappliedwithlow-toxicityadhesive.

PaintTips•Foraclean,sophisticatedlookonwalls,choosepaintinwhatisknownasfull-spectrumcolor,meaningacomplexhuecontainingamixofred,blueandyellowbutnoblack.AccordingtoMichelleQuaranta,aC2PaintcolorexpertandownerofColori,aneco-friendlypaintboutiqueinChicago,thesehueshavebecomepopularbecausetheyblendwitheachothereasilyandaremoreluminous.

•Toinhibitthegrowthofmoldandmildew,lookforantimicrobialpaints,whichwraproomsinalayerofprotection.

CeilingSOSFrombothanaestheticandagreenpointofview,someceilingsthatwerepopular40or50yearsagoshouldbereplacedtoday.•PopcornCeilingsInthe1970scontractorsbypassedthelaborinvolvedincreatingsmoothorhandsurface-texturedceilingsandsavedmoneybyusingaspray-ontechniquetocreatewhatiscommonlyreferredtoasa“popcornceiling.”Withsmoothorsurface-texturedceilingspreferred

today,roomswithpopcornceilingsaretypicallyviewedaseyesoresbyhomeownersandpotentialbuyersalike.Ifyou’vegotaroomwithoneoftheseceilingsandwanttochangeit,yourbestbetistocallaprofessional.Sincesomeoftheseceilingscontainasbestos,thejobcanbehazardousaswellasdifficult.Or,ifyouwantinformationonhowtosafelyremovesuchaceiling,visitnaturalhandyman.com/iip/infpai/popcornoff.html.

•AcousticaltileceilingsIfyouhaveaceilingthat’sbeencoveredupwithacousticalceilingtiles,considercoveringthetileswithaflatsurfaceandfinishingitwithplaster.Youcanalsoremovethetileandthefurringstripsattachedtothelathandplasterceiling,andinstalldrywalldirectlyagainsttheceiling.Butbecausewitholdtileyouneedtobeconcernedaboutthepresenceofasbestos,youshouldcallaprofessionaltocutasampleandsendittoanindependentlaboratoryforanalysis(lookfor“AsbestosConsulting&Testing”intheyellowpages).Ifthesampletestspositive,havethetileremovedbyenlistingacontractorwhospecializesinasbestosremoval.Theycanbefoundintheyellowpagesunder“AsbestosAbatement.”Orcontacttheair-pollution-controlauthorityinyourarea.Theycanprovideinformationaboutasbestosabatementforhomeownerswhowanttodotheworkthemselves.

Durable,easy-to-cleanblacktileservesaswainscotingbeneathagraphicnature-

inspiredwallpaperinthisrenovatedpowderroombyYianniDoulisandJessicaHelgerson.ThecountertopsareCalacattamarble.

CABINETSANDCOUNTERS

Cabinets

Whenyouconsiderthefactthatcabinetscaneatuproughlyhalfofakitchenremodelingbudget—accordingtotheNationalKitchen&BathAssociation,atradegroupthattrainsandcertifieskitchendesigners—thelastthingyouwantthemtodoisdegradeyourindoorairquality.Butsincecabinetsareoftencomposedofmaterialsthatcontainurea-formaldehyde,whichcausesawiderangeofadversehealtheffects,includingheadaches;skinrashes;burninganditchyeyes,noseandthroat;nauseaandevenpossiblycancer,accordingtotheU.S.EPA,theyareinfactoneoftheworstcontributorstoindoorairpollutioninthehome.Nowadays,cabinetboxesorshellsarerarelymadeofsolidwood.Instead,they’retypicallyconstructedofinterior-gradeplywoodorpressed-woodproducts,suchasparticleboardorMDF,mostofwhicharemadewithformaldehydeasabinder.Althoughmanufacturershavereducedemissionsinpressed-woodproductsby80to90percentoverthepast25yearsorso,andemissionsdropoffconsiderablyafewmonthsafterinstallation,someproductscancontinuetooutgasforyears.

ArchitectRickRenner’skitchenfeaturescountersmadefromrecycledpaper,bamboocabinets,andcabinetpullscraftedfromthebuilding’soldmetalwindowsashes.Inthelivingspacebeyond,low-VOCpaintcoversthewalls,andfloorsaresustainablyharvestedMainebirch.

Cabinetinteriorsaresometimesthermallyfusedwithathinplasticresincalledmelamine,whichhelpspreventformaldehydefromevaporatingfromthepressedwood.Butifthemelaminedoesn’tcovertheentiresurfaceorsmallholesaredrilledalongtheedges,evaporationcanstilloccur.Furthermore,cabinetscanbetreatedwithharmfulsolvent-basedstainsandfinishes,whichalsocontributetothedegradationofindoorairquality.

AWordonFinishesSincecabinetryoccupiessomuchsurfaceareainakitchen,makingsmartchoicesaboutitalsoaffordsagreatopportunitytoreduceyourcarbonfootprint.Ifyouplantopurchasenewwoodcabinets,besuretheirfinishiseco-friendly,too.Anewurethane-basedfinishisformulatedwithoutharmfulchemicals,sooncethesolventshaveevaporated,thereareno

noxiousoff-gasesemanatingfromthecoating.Thelow-VOCfinishcureswellbeforethetwo-weekstandardtimeframesetforthbythekitchencabinetmanufacturersassociation’s(KCMA)performancerequirements.AnditisHAPs-,formaldehyde-andnitrocellulose-free.Christianaisonecompanythatusesthisfinishonitscabinets.ForothercompanieswhomeettheKCMA’sgreenrequirements,seegreencabinetsource.org.

GREENCHOICESBecausethematerialsandfinishesandwaysinwhichtheyareconstructedaresovariable,andbecausetheycanbestandardorcustom,andrangefromrelativelyinexpensivetoextremelycostly,thegreenestchoiceyoucanmakeforcabinetswillinvariablyinvolveatradeoffinonewayoranother.Considerthefollowingeco-friendlyoptions.•RecycleorrevampexistingcabinetsTheeco-friendliestchoiceyoucanmakeistocontinueusingyourexistingcabinets.Ifyou’vegotwoodcabinetswithawornfinish,youcangivethemaliftbyrefinishingthemwithalow-orno-VOCpaint.Ifyou’rehandy,youcandothisyourself,thoughitrequiresafairamountofelbowgrease.Cabinetrepaircompaniescanalsorefacewoodveneerorlaminatecabinets.Ifthelayoutofyourkitchenworksforyou,youcanalsoupgradecabinetsbyreplacingjustthedoors.Anotherwaytominimizeimpactontheenvironmentistolookforsalvagedcabinetsormakecabinetsoutofreclaimedwood,thoughthesechoiceswilllimityouraestheticcontrol.

•Choosesustainablyforestedwoodorwood-byproductcabinetsAccordingtotheNationalKitchen&BathAssociation,woodisthenumber-onechoiceforcabinetsinthiscountry.Ifyouoptforsolidwoodcabinetsorcabinetswithwoodveneers,choosethosemadewithwoodscertifiedbytheForestStewardshipCouncilorSFI,Inc.,whicharerespectedthird-partyorganizationsthatevaluatewoodproductsmanufacturersfortheirforestryandenvironmentallysafemanufacturingpractices.AlsolookforcabinetsmadefromFSC-certifiedparticleboardorMediteII,aformaldehyde-freerecycledwoodfiberproductmadebySierraPine,ratherthanconventionalMDF.Marine-gradeplywoodandplywoodmadewithsoy-basedadhesiveareothereco-friendlyoptions,asisaproductcalledAllowood,whichisahardwoodlumbersubstitutemadefromfaster-growingsoftwoodsandagri-based

materials.

Reclaimedwoodfloorsandbeamsaddwarmthtoanewkitchen.

Eco-WiseWoodCabinetsWood’sbeautyandgreatenvironmentallife-cycleandconstructioncharacteristicsmakeitoneofthemostenvironmentallyfriendlycabinetmaterials.Woodproductionconsumeslessenergy,emitsfewergreenhousegases,releasesfewerpollutantsintotheairandgenerateslesswaterpollutionthansteelandconcreteproduction,forexample.Furthermore,treesabsorbcarbondioxidefromtheatmosphereastheygrow,enablingthemtonaturallyreducegreenhousegasesandimproveairquality.

IfyoubuywoodsthatarecertifiedbytheForestStewardshipCouncilorotherrespectedthird-partycertificationbodies,you’llknowyourpurchasehasnotcontributedtothedestructionoftheworld’sforests.Formoreinformationongreen-certifiedwoods,visitthesesites:

•fsc.orgTheForestStewardshipCouncil,thecountry’smostwell-regardedwoodcertificationbody,certifiessustainablyharvestedwoodorwood-

basedproductsandprovidesinformationonsuchproductsandwherethey’reavailable.

•sfiprogram.orgSustainableForestryInitiative,Inc.,anindependent,charitableorganizationdedicatedtopromotingsustainableforestmanagement,hascreatedaforestcertificationstandardsandcertificationprogramthatisusedwidelyacrossNorthAmerica.ItscertifiedproductsarerecognizedbymanyleadinggreenbuildingratingprogramsintheUnitedStates,Canadaandoverseas,includingtheNationalAssociationofHomeBuildersandGreenGlobes.

•greencabinetsource.orgTheKitchenCabinetManufacturersAssociationlistscabinetmanufacturerswhohavebeencertifiedbyitsEnvironmentalStewardshipProgram(ESP).Itistheonlyenvironmentalcertificationprogramthatspecificallyfocusesonkitchenandbathcabinets,andcertificationisawardedbasedoncomplianceinfivecategories:airquality,productresourcemanagement,processresourcemanagement,environmentalstewardshipandcommunityrelations.

•Considereco-friendlywoodalternativesSomecabinetsarenowmadewithaproductcalledwheatboard,whichisacompressedstrawfiberproductmadewithoutformaldehydebinders.Anothereco-friendlynon-woodoptionisbamboo,whichlookslikewood,butisactuallyarapidlyrenewablegrassthatcanbesustainablyharvested.Youmightalsoconsidermetalcabinets,which,whileconductivetoelectromagnetism,donotoutgas.Theycanalsobemadefromrecycledcontentandareusuallyrecyclablethemselves.

•ThinktwiceaboutcabinetsfacedwithlaminatesorvinylAlthoughlaminatesmaybemadefromrecycledmaterials,they,likevinylsurfacesmadeofPVC,whichoutgases,aretypicallyattachedtoparticleboardboxeswithglues,bothofwhichtypicallycontainharmfulchemicals.Assuch,theseproductsaren’trecommendedfromagreenperspective.

•AvoidexoticwoodsDonotchoosecabinetsmadefromtropicalorexotichardwoods,especiallyzebrawoodandebony,unlesstheyareFSC-certified.Alackofcontrolinoverseasforestsandtheenergyinvolvedintransportingtheseproductsdon’tmakethemwisegreenchoices.Youcouldopt,however,forcabinetsmadefromreclaimedwoods,suchasteak,mahogany,ipeorrubberwood.

Sustainablewide-plankwoodfloorsbringwarmthtoanexpansivekitchenwithavaultedceiling.

InthisU-shapedkitchen,thepass-throughroomdivideriscladinLyptus,asustainablematerialmadefromeucalyptus.Thebacksplashisglasstile,whilethecountertopsaredarkgreenpolishedstoneandfloorsarerefinishedoak.

Counters

Fromagreenpointofview,agoodcountersurfaceisnonporous,stain-andscratch-resistant,locallyproduced,nontoxicandbeautiful.Noneofthecountersurfacematerialscurrentlyavailableinthemarketmeetallofthesecriteria,however.So,aswithmostmaterials,you’llhavetoweighthebenefitsofeachoftheoptionsagainstthedrawbacksbeforesettlingonthebestchoiceforyou.Thecountertopcomparisonthatfollowscanhelpyousortthroughtheprosandcons.

Topandbottom:Solidsurfaceandengineeredstonematerialsaredurableandcomeinawiderangeofcolorsandpatterns.

SOLIDSHEETGRANITEProsGranitecomesinawidevarietyofbeautifulcolorsandpatternsandisveryhard,makingitextremelyscratch-andstain-resistant.Italsoholdsuptoheatandlookssubstantial.

ConsItisveryexpensiveandrequiresmaintenancewithperiodicsealingwithanimpregnatingfinish.Itabsorbsoilandbutterstains,andcancrack.

Eco-NotesItisnotrenewable,andonceitisremovedfromtheearthitcannotbeeasilyreused.Itshouldalsobetestedforradonorradioactivitybeforeinstallation.Lookforalocalsourcetoreduceenergyexpendedin

transportation,seekoutremnantslabsandfinishwithalow-VOCsealant.

ENGINEEREDSTONEProsComposedofquartzparticlesandresin,itisavailableinalargerrangeofcolorsthangraniteandhasanonporoussurfacethatresistsscratches,stainsandheat.It’shygienic,easytomaintainanddoesnotrequiresealing.(BrandsonthemarketincludeSilestone,CaesarStone,DuPontZodiaq,andCambriaQuartz.)

ConsItisheavyandexpensive,andrequiresprofessionalinstallation.Eco-NotesTheminingofthequartzimpactstheenvironment,butitissafeandhygienic.

SOLIDSURFACESProsMadebysuchcompaniesasAvonite,DuPont(Corian),andSwanstone,nonporoussolid-surfacecountertopsarecustom-madetoyourspecificationsandcomeinarainbowofcolorsandpatterns.They’reseamless,stain-resistant,andscratchescanbesandedout.

ConsThesesurfacesarevulnerabletohotpans,whichcandamagethem.Theycanrangefrommoderatelyexpensivetomoreexpensivethangraniteormarble.They’remadefromsyntheticacrylicsorpolyesters.

Eco-NotesTheseproductsaredurable.

CERAMICTILEProsCeramictileisofteninexpensive,durableandeasytoclean.Becauseit’sinstalledasectionatatime,itcanalsobeinstalledbyaresourcefuldo-it-yourselfer.Itisheatproof,stain-andwater-resistant,andcomesinawiderangeofprices,colors,texturesanddesigns.

ConsTilescaneasilychiporcrack,groutlinesbecomestainedandcustom-designedtilesareveryexpensive.Also,theyresultincountertopsthataren’tcompletelysmoothandthatcanbeuneven.

Eco-NotesBesuretousenontoxicgroutsandadhesives.Tileisgenerallyinertandbiodegradable,butsometilesarefinishedwithglazesthatcontainelementsthatcanbeharmfultohumanhealth.

LAMINATES

LAMINATESProsMadeofpaperrawmaterials,laminatesarelow-costandhavesmoothsurfacesthatareeasytoclean.Theyarealsoavailableinawiderangeofcolorsandareinexpensive.(BrandsincludeFormica,NevamarandWilsonart.)

ConsScratchesandchipsarealmostimpossibletorepairandseamsshow.Laminatesalsoarefinishedwithpetrochemical-basedresin.

Eco-NotesResinsusedmayincludeurea-formaldehyde.Lookforlaminatesthatadvertisethatformaldehydeisnotusedintheirproduction.Adhesivesusedtobindtheproducttoaparticleboardsurfacecanbetoxic.Particleboard,interior-gradeplywoodandMDFsubstratescanoutgasformaldehyde,unlessFSC-certified.Ifyouchoosealaminate,getonethatisGreenguard-certified.

ThisbathiscladinanengineeredquartztileandthecountertopisCaesarStone.

Whitesubwaytileandmarblecounterscontributetothecleanqualityofthisinvitingkitchen.

WOODORBUTCHERBLOCKProsPricedlowtohigh,woodcountertopsarewarmandbeautifulandcomeinawiderangeofcolorsandfinishes.Hardwoods,suchasmapleandoak,aremostcommon.Theyareeasytocleanandcanbesandedandresealedasneeded.

ConsTheirporoussurfacecanharbormoldgrowthandstainseasily.Itcanalsobedamagedbywaterandheat.Scratchesmustbeoiledorsealedaccordingtomanufacturer’sinstructions.

Eco-NotesWoodisarenewableresource.LookforwoodwithFSCcertification.Finishwoodcounterswithanodorless,nontoxicoil,suchaswalnutoil,andusesolvent-andformaldehyde-freeadhesives.

STAINLESSSTEELProsThisnonporous,nonstainingsurfaceiseasytocleanandoffersasleek,industriallookforcontemporarykitchens.Itisalsoheat-resistantanddurable.

ConsItisexpensive,noisyandmaydent.Youcan’tcutfoodsonasteelsurface,anditconductselectricity,sopropergroundfaultinterruptersarerequiredtopreventpossibleelectrocution.

Eco-NotesMiningformaterialsandthefabricationprocessrequiredtomakesteelusesalargeamountofenergyandpollutestheenvironment.Butitisoftenmadeofrecycledcontentandcanberecycledwhenitisnolongerofuse.

Topandbottom:Butcherblockandrecycledconcreteandglassofferdistinctiveeco-friendlycountertopoptions.

STONEProsStones,suchasmarble,granite,slateandsoapstone,arebeautiful,durable,heatproofandwaterproof.Oftenseeninhistoricalaswellasmodernhomes,soapstonehasarich,deepgraycolor,issmoothtothetouchandsomewhatstain-resistant.Slateisnonporousandnonstaining.

ConsStonecountertopsareexpensive,andmarbleisporousandstainseasilyunlessprofessionallysealed.Itcanalsoscratchandmayneedperiodicresealing.Soapstonerequiresregularmaintenancewithapplicationsofmineraloil,andmaycrackanddarkenovertime.Bothsoapstoneandslatearesofterthangraniteandcanchipovertime.

Eco-NotesTheminingofanystonehasanegativeimpactontheenvironment,

asallarefiniteresources.Purchasesalvagedstoneifpossibleorbuystoneproductsminedfromwithina500-mileradiusfromfair-trademerchants.Stoneshouldbetestedforradonorradioactivitybeforeinstallation.

COMPOSITEANDRECYCLEDMATERIALSProsCompositeandrecycledmaterialsofferinterestingaestheticalternatives.Somearemadefromrecycledpaperandcombinedwithresinstoformahardsurfacethatiswarmerthanstone,andothersaremadefromrecycledglass,graniteorotheraggregatesandareheldtogetherwitheithercementorresintomakeaterrazzo-likesurface.

ConsDurabilityandstainresistancevariesdependingontheproduct.Eco-NotesTheirrecycledcontentmakesthemappealingtogreendesigners,butunlesstheyhavesomeaccreditedgreencertification,theycanbedifficulttojudgefromanenvironmentalperspective.Lookforlow-VOCresinusageand,inthecaseofpaperproducts,FSCcertification.

CabinetsmadefromFSC-certifiedwoodandtoppedwithalow-VOCfinishaddeco-friendlychararactertothiskitchen.

CounterSurfaceResourcesAfewofthecompaniesproducingeco-friendlycountersurfaceproducts

Afewofthecompaniesproducingeco-friendlycountersurfaceproductsmadefromrecycledpaperandphenolicresin,orproductsmadefromrecycledglass,cementandplasticsinclude:

•Coverings,Etc.,makersofEco-Terr,atcoveringsetc.com•EnviroGLASatenviroglasproducts.com•IceStoneaticestone.biz•PaperStoneatpaperstoneproducts.com•Richliteatrichlite.com•SquakMountainStoneatsquakmountainstone.com•Trespaattrespa.com•Vetrazzoatvetrazzo.com

Naturalstonecountersarebeautiful,butsomegreendesignersciteconcernsthatgraniteandotherstonesurfacescancontaindangerouslevelsofradon,acolorless,odorless,radioactivegasthatcomesfromthedecayofuraniuminsoilandrocks.

Youcangetaninexpensivetestingkitathardwarestoresoronlinesources.Ifyouuseoneofthesekitsanditshowselevatedlevelsfromyourhome’ssurfaces,youshouldhaveanindependentcertifiedtestinglabconductanothertesttopinpointthesource.Formoreinfo,gotoepa.gov/radonorcalltheNationalRadonInformationHotlineat800-SOS-RADON.

AnothersourceforinformationonvariousenvironmentallyfriendlysurfacesandotherhouseholdproductsisTheGreenguardEnvironmentalInstitute(GEI).Itisanindustry-independent,nonprofitorganizationthatoverseestheGreenguardCertificationProgram,anditsmissionistoimprovepublichealthandqualityoflifethroughprogramsthatimproveindoorair.Visititssiteatgreenguard.org.

FLOORING

AccordingtotheWorldFloorCoveringAssociation,greenflooringincludesanyflooringthatissustainable,recyclableorcontainsrecycledcontent,leavesasmallcarbonfootprint,orhaslowlevelsofVOCs(volatileorganiccompounds).Aswithmostmaterials,differentflooringtypesofferdifferentdegreesofenvironmentalfriendliness.Stone,forexample,isdurablebutisnonrenewableandrequiresconsiderableenergytoquarry,finish,transportandinstall.Carpet,ontheotherhand,issoftandabsorbssound,butitisnotincrediblydurableingeneralandattractsdirtanddust.

Sincefloorsaccountforthelargestsurfaceareainyourhomeapartfromthewalls,they’llhaveamajorimpactonindoorairquality.Asidefromtherawmaterialrequiredtoproducevariousflooringmaterials,theglues,finishes,adhesivesandcleanersthatarerequiredtoinstallandmaintainthemalsopresentassociatedenvironmentalimpacts.Tohelpyouselectflooringmaterialsthatwillhelpyouenhanceyourindoorairqualitywhileminimizingenvironmentalimpact,thefollowingsummaryhighlightssomeoftheprimarycharacteristicsofvariouscommonfloormaterials.

BAMBOOWhilemanypeoplethinkofbambooasawood,itisactuallytheworld’slargest-growinggrass.Itisarapidlyrenewableresourcethatmaturesinthreetofiveyears.Thoughwidelyregardedasaneco-friendlychoicebecauseofitsabilitytoquicklyregenerate,bamboousuallyisn’tcertifiedasmeetingvariousenvironmentalproductionorpreservationstandards.Sotrytolearnasmuchasyoucanaboutthebambooyouareinterestedinbeforepurchasingit.MostbambooflooringcomesfromAsia,particularlyChinaandVietnam,makingtheenergyexpenditureandairemissionsinthetransportationtoNorthAmericasignificantconcerns.

Whilesomeadhesivesusedinbambooflooringsometimescontainaurea-formaldehyderesin,otherbambooproductscontainingminimalornoformaldehydearealsoavailable.Bambooflooringishard,moresothanmanyhardwoods,infact,andcanlastfrom30to50years.Itwillalsobiodegradein

hardwoods,infact,andcanlastfrom30to50years.Itwillalsobiodegradeinlandfillsafteritisremovedoritcanbeburnedforenergy.Itrangesfrom$4to$8persquarefoot.

Bambooflooringaddseco-friendlywarmthtoabathroomdesignedfortheTwinMaplesshowhouseinNewJersey.

STONEStoneisanonrenewablenaturalproductthat’sdurableandeasytomaintain.AccordingtotheWorldFloorCoveringAssociation,thereisnogenerallyaccepteddataontheenvironmentalimpactsofusingstoneasflooring.Butitisrecyclableandcanbereclaimed,quarriedandmanufacturedusingbestpractices.Althoughstoneisminimallyprocessed,quarrying,cuttingandpolishingthisheavymaterialrequiresagreatdealofenergy.Quarryingcanalsoimpactthesurroundinglandscapeandwatertables.Andpopulartypesofstone,suchasgranite,marble,sandstone,slate,soapstoneandlimestone,sometimesneedtobetransportedlongdistances,alsodemandingagreatdealofenergy.

Potentialradonemissionscanbeanissuewithstone.Tofinishstoneflooring,choosealow-VOCsealer—orselectstoneflooringthatdoesnotrequiresealing.Stoneflooringcanendureforcenturiesandcanbedisposedofsafelyorcrushedandreusedasaggregateforotherbuildingmaterials.Itspricegenerallyrangesfrom$3to$10persquarefoot.

CORKCorkisauniquerenewableresourceinthatonlythebarkisharvestedwithoutdamagingordestroyingthetree.AccordingtotheWFCA,corkfloorsaremadefromthewasteofcorkusedtomakewinestoppers,andalawpassedintheU.S.inthe1930scalled“The9YearLaw”keepscorkfrombeingharvestedanysoonerthanevery9years.Tokeepcorkfloorsasgreenaspossible,finishandinstallthemwithwater-basedfinishesandadhesives.

Ifpossible,chooseall-naturalcorkflooringovercork-vinylcompositesthathavePVCbacking.Corkflooringpreservesitsshapewellandnaturallyresistsmoldandmoisture.It’salsodurable,biodegradableandnontoxic.Itcostsabout$3to$6persquarefoot.

Topandbottom:Greenflooringoptionsincludeconcretewithrecycledflyashcontent,recycledstone.

CERAMICANDGLASSTILEUsedasflooringforthousandsofyears,ceramictileisdurable,rarelyreleasesemissions,requireslittlemaintenance,andcancontainrecycledcontentfromlightbulbs,groundglassandothermaterials.Itisalsomadefromabundantnaturalclays.Butitsweightdemandstheuseofmorefuelfortransportationthanotherproducts,sochoosetilefromalocalsourcetoreduceenergyconsumption.Intermsofindoorairquality,considersettingceramictileincementratherthanusingadhesives.Iftilesareglazed,theyarehighlymoisture-andstain-resistant.Ifunglazed,theyaremoreporousandnotassmoothtothetouch.Ceramictilebiodegradesafterremoval.Tilescanbereusedandmayalsobecrushedandrecycledasaggregatematerials.Generally,itcostsbetween$1to$6persquarefoot.

HARDWOODHardwoodisawonderfulgreenfloorchoicebecauseitisnatural,renewable,durableandrecyclable.Tobesureyourhardwoodisasgreenaspossible,chooseeitherreclaimedorsalvagedwoodfloorsfromanothersite,orbesurenewwoodflooringiscertifiedasenvironmentallyfriendlybyanaccreditedcertifier,suchastheForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC),ScientificCertificationSystems(SCS),theAmericanTreeFarmSystem(ATFS),ortheSustainableForestryInitiative(SFI),alltrustedorganizationsthatcertifythatwoodisgrownandharvestedfromspeciallymanagedforests.Hardwoodflooringcertifiedasenvironmentallyfriendlybytheseorganizationsensuresthatthewoodisnotclearcut,aforestry/loggingpracticeinwhichmostoralltreesinaforestsectorarecutdown,butisinsteadharvestedinasustainablefashion.AccordingtotheWFCA,only4percentofthenation’snative,old-growthforestsarestillstanding.TheU.S.istheworld’slargestimporterandconsumeroftimberwoodandwoodproducts.Virginhardwoodflooringshouldbeharvestedfromtreeswithlonggrowthcycles,includingredandwhiteoak,maple,ashorbirch.Avoidhardwoodsthatareexotic,rareorendangered.Somehardwoodflooringisengineered,meaningthatinsteadofsolidhardwood,itismadeofseveralwoodlayersofmaterialwithahardwoodveneer.Ifyouchooseanengineeredwood,optforacertifiedfloor,asthesubstratesofengineeredwoodfloorsareoftenmadeofwoodbyproductsbondedwithsubstancesthatcancontaintoxic

madeofwoodbyproductsbondedwithsubstancesthatcancontaintoxicelements.Youcanbuywoodflooringthat’sbeenprefinishedatthefactory,whereoutgassingcanbehandledinacontrolledenvironment.Oryoucangetitunfinished.Wooditselfoutgasesminimallyanddoesnotharbordustmitesormold.Butwoodfloorsrequiresealing,sochoosesealersthatgiveofffewornoVOCs.Engineeredandsolidwoodfloorsusuallyrangefrom$3to$6persquarefoot.

LAMINATELaminateflooringisaversatile,durable,attractiveflooringwiththeappearanceofahardwood,tileorstonefloor.Althoughwood-looklaminateflooringlookslikesolidwood,thereisactuallynosolidwoodusedinitsconstruction.Laminatefloorsaremadeupofseverallayersofmaterials,oftenincludingamoisture-resistantlayerunderalayerofHDF(high-densityfiberboard)andtoppedwithahigh-resolutionphotographicimageofnaturalwoodflooring.Thesearebondedtogetherunderhighpressure.Theflooringisthenfinishedwithanextremelyhard,clearcoatingmadefromspecialresin-coatedcellulosetoprotectthesurface.Makersoflaminateflooringarguethatitisenvironmentallyfriendlyasituseslesswoodinitsconstructionthansolidwoodorengineeredwoodfloors,anditmakesmoreefficientuseofthewoodfiber,sawdustorwoodchipsthatareusedasitssubstrate.Butitmayalsocontainformaldehydeorothertoxicsubstances.LookforaFloorScoresealonlaminateflooringorcheckitsVOCemissionsagainstemissionsstandardsfor,say,engineeredwood.Itstartsatabout$2.50persquarefoot.

Topandbottom:Greenflooringoptionsincludesustainablyharvestedwoods.

adobe

DESCRIPTIONAdurablemixtureoftenconsistingofclay,sandandstraw.Installedinthreelayers:athick,tamped-downbase;athin,troweled-onlayer;andabrushed-ontopcoat.Sealedwithnaturaloilsandbeeswax.Colorsrangefromconcretegraystobrickredstobarrelbrowns;customtintsavailable.PROSRetainsheatverywell.Insulatesanddoesnotfadeinsunlight.Offersatrulyseamlesslookandcantightlyabut—orevencontinueup—wallsandstairs.Canbelaidoverexistingsubflooring.Typicallysourcedlocally,thereforelittlefuelexpenditure.CONSInstallationisexpensiveandlabor-intensive.Notdo-it-yourselffriendly,yetfewadobespecialistsavailable.Cantakeuptoamonthtoinstallanddry.Cannotbelaidoveranexistingslab.Susceptibletocracking.Standingwatercancausesurfaceoilstoblister;canerodewhenexposedtocontinuousmoisture.Notgoodforextremelywetorhumidclimates,forheavy-trafficareas,orforkitchensandbathrooms.Time-consumingtorepair.MAINTENANCEKeepdryandsweepweekly,damp-mopmonthly,and

oilandwaxannually.Scratchesandcrackscanbesandedorpatchedwithwetadobe,thenreoiled,rewaxedandbuffed.PRICERANGE$15to$20persquarefoot(installed).

certifiedwood

DESCRIPTIONWoodharvestedinawaythatpreservesbiodiversityandnaturalhabitats,andmeetsthestandardssetbytheForestStewardshipCouncil,athird-partywatchdoggroup.Widerangeofcolors,patternsandspeciesavailable.PROSLong-lasting.Availableinunfinishedandprefinishedforms,andinnail-down,glue-downandfloatingversions.Canbelaidoverexistingflooring.Mostrepairseasytodo.CONSDifficulttoinstallandrefinishyourselfifusingsolidhardwood.Costsmorethanconventionallumber.Canexpandorcontractinextremelyhumidoraridconditions.Canfadeinsunlight.Limitedstockandpoordistributionsystemscanmeanathree-tosix-weekwaittime.Likeuncertifiedwood,somespeciescontainresinsthatcancausecontactdermatitisandrespiratorydistress.Importingexoticsresultsinsignificantfuelexpenditures.MAINTENANCEKeepdry.Sweepwithafine-bristlebroomorvacuumwithasoftbrushattachmentweekly;damp-mopregularly.Refinishatfirstsignofwear.Repaircracksandgougeswithwoodfiller,thenstainandseal.PRICERANGE$4(softwoodslikepine)to$8(exoticsliketeak)to$12(premiumgradehardwood)persquarefoot.

cork

DESCRIPTIONSlabsortilesmadefromtheground-upbarkofcorkoaktrees.Huesandpatternsvary,fromuniformbeigetowoodsywalnutswirlstodeepred.Canbecustom-colored.PROSExtremelydurable.Helpsinsulate,maintainroomtemperature,

cushionstepsanddampensound.Water-resistant;retainsshapeinhumid,dry,hotandcoldclimates.Willreturntoformifcompressed.Availableinunfinishedandprefinishedversions,andinglue-downandfloatingtypes.Canbelaidoverexistingflooring;appearanceclosetoseamless.Easytoinstallandrepair.CONSCanbetornbysharpobjects,sonotidealforhomeswithpets.Canbebleachedbysunlight.Notsuitedtoverywetareaslikebathroomsorkitchens,oranywherethereisstandingwater.Demandbeginningtooutstripsupply,boostingcostsandwaittimes.ImportedfromthewesternMediterranean,resultinginlargeexpendituresoffuel.MAINTENANCEKeepdryandvacuumweekly;wipedownwithanantistaticclothtodiscouragedirtanddust.Resealwaxfloorsandrecoatpolyurethanedfloorsonceayear.PRICERANGE$5to$8persquarefoot.

linoleum

DESCRIPTIONBiodegradablemixtureofpowderedcork,woodflour,groundlimestone,linseedoil,pinerosinandpigmentstypicallyaffixedtoajutebacking.Widevarietyofcolors,patternsandtextures,fromsolidprimariesandpastelstowoodgrainstomockcrocodileskins.PROSEasilyavailable.Long-lastingandretainsshapeindamp,dry,hot,humidorcoldconditions.Resistanttofading;nearseamlessappearance.Idealforbathroomsandkitchens.Canbelaidoverexistingflooring.Cushionssteps.Strengthensovertime.Availableinglue-downandfloatingversions.Tileformiseasytoinstallandrepair.CONSMayshowdragmarks,abrasionsandscratches,sonotsuitedforhomeswithpets.Hotwatercandiscolorsurface.Sheetversionscanbedifficulttoinstallandrepair.OftenshippedfromEurope,whichrequiressignificantfuelexpenditures.MAINTENANCESweeporvacuumfrequentlyanddamp-mopasnecessary.Removemarkswithanylonkitchenpad;useascouringbrushonstubbornstains,thenreseal.Recoatasneeded.PRICERANGE$5to$9persquarefoot.

bamboo

DESCRIPTIONMadefromaquick-growinggrassthatisastoughaswood.Matureshootsarecutdownandslicedintostrips,thengluedtogetherhorizontally(revealingthegrain)orvertically(showingevenstripes).Colorsrangefrombleachedblondstoredsandbrowns.PROSDurable,withauniform,woodliketexture.Availableinunfinishedandprefinishedforms,andinnail-down,glue-downandfloatingversions(thelattercanbelaidoverexistingflooringwithoutusinghardwareoradhesives).Simpletomoderatelydifficulttoinstall.CONSLikewood,mayswellinextremelyhumidorwetenvironmentsandshrinkinverydryenvironments;notidealforkitchensorbathrooms.Fadesinsunlight.Darker-coloredproductsmoresusceptibletoscratching.Sourcedprimarilyinthefareast,somuchfuelisconsumedduringimportation.MAINTENANCEKeepdry(wipeupspillswithadampcloth,thenadryone).Sweepwithafine-bristledbroomorvacuumwithasoftbrushattachmentweekly,anddamp-mopmonthly.Resealatfirstsignofwear.PRICERANGE$5to$8persquarefoot.

LINOLEUMInusesincethemid-1800s,linoleumhasmanyenvironmentalbenefitsthatarefuelingitsbigcomeback.Thenaturalrawmaterialsusedtocreatelinoleum—linseedoil,pineresin,woodflour,corkflour,ecologicallyresponsiblepigmentsandjute—areavailableinabundance.Furthermore,theplantsandtreesthatsupplylinoleum’srawmaterialsalsocontributetotheproductionofoxygenandthereductionofcarbondioxideintheatmosphere,helpingtocontaingreenhousegasesintheatmosphere.Itsrawmaterialsrequirelittleenergytoharvestanditcanberecycledorsafelydisposedofinlandfills,asitisfullybiodegradable.Itdoesnotreleaseharmfulsubstancesorgasesanditspatternsaredyedallthewaythroughtothebacking,ensuringevenwear.Forinstallation,useadhesivesthataresolvent-freeandmeetalllow-VOCrequirements.Makesuretopurchasenaturallinoleum.Someexpertshaveraisedconcernsaboutaldehydesthatoutgasfromthelinseedoilusedtomakelinoleum.Althoughlinoleum’sfaintsmellmaynotappealtosome,linseedoilisanaturalantimicrobialagent,makinglinoleum

notappealtosome,linseedoilisanaturalantimicrobialagent,makinglinoleumagoodchoiceforkitchens.Itisnotrecommendedforareaswheremoisturemayseepthroughthesubfloor,suchasconcreteinbasements.Drycleaningmethodsarepreferredtowetcleaning,solinoleumflooringreduceswastewater.Itlastsabout30to40years,andgenerallycostsabout$4persquarefoot.

RUBBERGenerallyusedforplayoroutdoorareaswherenonslipsurfacesareneeded,naturalvirginrubberflooringismanufacturedfromlatex,thesapofrubbertrees,whichtypicallygrowintropicalareas,mostlyinAsia.Butrubbercanalsobeproducedsynthetically.Somerubberflooringismadefromrecycledmaterials,suchasrubbertires,whichareabundantinNorthAmerica.Convertingthesematerialsintorubberflooringrequiresafairamountofenergy,buttransportcostsaregenerallylowerthanforimports,sorecycledrubberflooringisgenerallylessexpensiveandmoredurablethanvirginrubberflooring.

Rubberischemicallystable,althoughitdoesoutgasslightly,givingitadistinctivesmell,butemissionoftoxicelementsislow.Becauseofitsnaturaltackiness,itcanbeinstalledwithoutadhesives,lesseningitsoutgassingpotentialcomparedwithothermaterials.Itisalsoeasytocleananddurable,lastingabout20years.Rubberflooringusuallyisflammable,however,andcanbeproblematicforpeoplewithallergies.Youcanpurchasehypoallergenicproducts,butifyouhavesensitivities,useitonlyoutdoors.Itcostsabout$5to$7persquarefoot.

ArugmadeofnaturalfibersprovidessoftnessandtextureatopacertifiedsustainablyharvestedwoodfloorinaroombyarchitectRickRenner.

CARPETSANDRUGSSincecarpetsandrugsaremadefromsomanytypesofmaterials,somenaturalandsomesynthetic,theirgreenpropertiesmustbeevaluatedfirstbytheirmaterialtype.Carpetsandrugsmadefromanykindofnaturalmaterial—fromwool,cottonandsilktocoir,sisalandjute—areeco-friendlyinthattheydon’toutgas,unlessthey’vebeenfinishedordyedwithtoxicsubstancesorhavesyntheticbackings.Naturalfibershavedifferentlevelsofdurability,however,andsome,suchassisalandjute,arepronetomildewandshouldnotbeusedinhumidlocations.Ifyouchooseanatural-fiberrugorcarpet,placeitoveranaturalcarpetpad,suchasonemadeof100percentcotton,wool,jute,horsehairorfelt.

Mostcarpet,however,ismadefrompetroleum-basedmaterials,suchasnylonorpolyester.CommonlycriticizedforitsoutgassingofVOCsinthehome,syntheticcarpetingissometimesmadefrompost-consumerplasticsoft-drink

syntheticcarpetingissometimesmadefrompost-consumerplasticsoft-drinkcontainers,andrecycledcarpetpaddingcanbemadefromoldcarpetpaddingorreclaimedcarpetfibers.Butjust4percentofcarpetisrecycled—thoughtheCarpetandRugInstitute(CRI)saysthisfigurewillincreaseto20to25percentby2012—andabout30percentofallfoamcushionusedforcarpetpaddingintheUnitedStatescomesfromimportedwastefibers.Bindersusedtomakesyntheticcarpetsandpaddingmayoutgasforyearsafterinstallation,withvaryinglevelsofemissionsandtoxicity.Andwall-to-wallcarpetsofallkindsrequireeitheranadhesiveorcarpettacks.Becauseofoutgassingconcerns,askyourinstallertounrollandairoutthecarpetinawell-ventilatedareabeforeinstallation,andtouseonlylow-emittingadhesives.Ventilatetheinstallationarea,totheextentthatyoucan,for48to72hoursafterinstallation.

AccordingtotheCarpetandRugInstitute,thecarpetindustryismakingeffortstominimizingcarpet’simpactontheenvironmentbyemphasizingwhatitcallsthe“3Rs,”whichstandforreduce,reuseandrecycle.Whencarpetreachestheendofitslife,itisreusedtomakenewcarpetorisrecycledintoavarietyofproducts.TheGreenLabelandGreenLabelPlusprogramsfromtheCarpetandRugInstitutealsoprovidecustomerswithameansbywhichtoknowwhethertheyarepurchasingthelowest-emittingcarpet,adhesiveandcushionproductsonthemarket.ToachievetheCarpetandRugInstitute’sGreenLabelPluscertification,acarpetmustmeetCalifornia’smostrigorousSection01350standard,whichtestsforemissionsofindividualVOCsratherthanjusttheoveralllevelofVOCs.Althoughthecarpetlabelmaylistthematerialaswool,nylonorsomeothersyntheticfiber,it’stheunlistedsubstances,suchaschemicaladditivesforcontrollingmildew,fungusandrot,orelementsintheprimaryandsecondarybackings,thataremostresponsibleforoutgassing.

Atoprefinishedsolidwoodfloors,asunnywoolrugaddsshotsofcolorandpatterntoasparelyfurnishedroombytheOttoBaatGroup.

Onceinstalled,carpetinghasexcellentsound-andthermal-insulatingproperties.Butit’spracticallyimpossibletokeepittrulyclean.Furthermore,syntheticcarpetneverbreaksdownandisoneofthebigcontributorstogreenhousegasemissionsinourlandfills.Whilecarpetisthesoftestflooringmaterialconsideredhere,itisoneoftheleastdurable,andmayrequirereplacementaboutevery11years.Itcostsfromabout$4anduppersquarefoot.

ResourcesThesewebsitesofferampleinformationonvariousindoorbuildingmaterials,includingcertificationstandardsinformation,analysisandrecyclingideas.

•greenhomeguide.comAweb-basedresourcefeaturingeco-friendlyfloorrefinishingideasandothergreentips,casestudies,expertQ&Aarticles,anddirectoriesofproductsandservices

•wfca.orgTheWorldFloorCoveringAssociation•carpet-rug.orgTheCarpetandRuginstitute•healthybuilding.netTheHealthyBuildingNetwork•vinylinfo.orgTheVinylInstitute•fsc.orgTheforestStewardshipCouncil•greenseal.orgAnindependent,science-based,nonprofitthird-partycertifierofgreenproducts

•greenguard.orgTheGreenguardEnvironmentalInstitute•healthhouse.orgAmericanLungAssociationHealthHouse•rfci.comTheResilientFloorCoveringInstitute•greenerchoices.orgAwebsiteofferinginformationandideasonrecyclingandpollution

•scscertified.comScientificCertificationsSystems•www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/carpet/index.cfmForinformationonthenationalagreementonrecyclingcarpet

VINYLSomeflooringtypesaresimplyatoddswiththeenvironment,andpolyvinylchloride(PVC)flooringisoneofthem.Becauseit’srelativelyinexpensiveandeasytoinstall,it’soneofthemostpopularflooringchoices—14billionpoundsofitareproducedeachyearinNorthAmerica.Butitpresentsahealthhazardacrossitsentirelifecycle,fromproductionandinstallationtouseanddisposal.Itsmanufacturingcreatespoisons,includingvinylchloride,ethylenedichlorideanddioxin.Itisanonrenewablepetroleum-basedplastic,andtheoilneededtomakeitoftentravelsthousandsofmilestogettoNorthAmerica,makingitenergy-inefficienttoproduce.Onceit’sinstalled,vinylmayoutgaspotentiallyharmfulcompoundsforyears.Andwhenitsusefullifeends,itwillnotdecayinlandfills.MillionsofpoundsofvinyltilearedisposedofinlandfillsintheUnitedStateseachyear.However,theVinylInstitutehasclaimeditismakingprogressinrecyclingthematerial.Availableinsheetsortiles,itstartsatabout$2.50persquarefoot.

FactorsAffectingtheEnvironmentalImpactofFlooringMaterialsRawMaterialsIdeally,flooringmaterialsshouldoriginatewitharenewablesubstance,suchasbamboo,wood,corkorplants.Ceramictileandstoneareplentifulbutnotrenewable.Alsoconsiderproductssalvagedfromexistingstructuresorrecycledmaterials.

ManufactureThelessamaterialismodifiedduringmanufacture,thebetter.Stone,woodandbamboorequiretheleastmodification;cork,ceramictile,linoleum,rubberflooring,andcarpetsandrugsrequiremoreenergytomanufacture.

TransportSomeflooringmaterialsmustbeshippedgreatdistances,increasingtheirembodiedenergycostandtotalenvironmentalimpact.Trytochoosematerialsthatoriginatewithin500milesofyourhometohelpkeepembodiedenergycostslow.

InstallationItmayrequirecutting,sanding,sealingandadhesiveapplicationtoattachaflooringmaterialtothesubstrateinyourhouse,whichmayinturnaffectindoorairquality.Ifpossible,optforwater-basedadhesivesratherthansolvent-basedoptions.GreenSeal’sadhesivesstandardsets150gramsofVOCsperliterofproductasasafemaximum.

UseandMaintenanceAfterinstallation,mostflooringwilloutgasvariouscompounds—someinert,somepotentiallyharmful—overlongperiodsoftime.Todeterminewhetheraflooringproductissafeforthelongterm,lookfortheFloorScoreseal,whichwasdevelopedbyScientificCertificationSystems,anenvironmentaltestingorganization,inconjunctionwiththeresilientfloorcoveringinstitute,andcertifiesproductsasmeetingCalifornia’stoughSection01350requirementsforindooremissions.Maintenanceanddurabilityarealsokeyissues.Lessdurablefloorsmustbereplacedmoreoften,andhigh-maintenancefloorscanconsumeexcessenergyandexposeyoutoharmfulchemicals.

EndofLifeConsiderwhathappenstoyourflooringafterit’sliveditsusefullife.Syntheticmaterialsdon’tdecay,butincreasingamountsofthemarenowrecycled.Stonecanbecrushedandreusedasaggregateintileorotherapplications.Linoleum,corkandwoodarebiodegradableorcanbeburnedforenergy.

Eco-FriendlyFurnitureandAccents

Oldchairsgetnewlifewithfreshupholsteryandslipcovers.

Ifyou’veputforththeefforttocarefullycraftaneco-friendlynest,thenthelastthingyou’dwanttodoisfeatheritwithfurnishingsandaccentsthatcanbeharmfulorunhealthytoyou—ortotheplanet.Unfortunately,quiteabitoffurnitureislikealotofstandardhouses—madewithtoxicmaterialsandfinishes,andfabricatedandtransportedinwasteful,inefficientwaysthatpollutetheenvironment.Butlikeagrowingnumberofbuildingproductmanufacturers,manymakersofhomefurnishingsproducts—frombookshelves,tablesandupholsteredchairstofabrics,mattressesanddecorativepillows—arebeginningtorespondtothecallforsustainabledesigns.Andinterestedorganizationsaredoingtheirparttocreateindustry-specificstandardsforevaluatingtheenvironmentalimpactofhomefurnishingsproductsandmanufacturingprocesses,makingiteasierforconsumerstounderstandjusthowgreentheirhomegoodschoicesreallyare.

Manyofthesameenvironmentalissuesrelatedtobuildingproductsandinteriorsurfacematerialsapplytohomefurnishings,too.Forexample,alotofwoodfurnishingsaretreatedwithstainsorfinishesormadewithadhesivesthat

woodfurnishingsaretreatedwithstainsorfinishesormadewithadhesivesthatoutgasVOCsandpolluteindoorair,andthedisposalofthesehazardouschemicalscontaminatestheenvironment.Upholsteredfurnishings,ontheotherhand,areoftenmadewithsyntheticfabricsandfoamsthatsitinlandfillsafterthey’veoutlivedtheirusefulness.Evendraperyandupholsterytextilesmadeofnaturalmaterials,suchascotton,canbeproblematic.Thesefabricsareusuallymadewithfibersharvestedfromcropsgrowninsoilthat’sbeencoatedwithpollutingpesticides,andtheyarealsooftentreatedwithstain-repellantsorotherfinishesthatcancauseproblemsforpeoplewithchemicalsensitivities.Furthermore,theenergyrequiredtoharvest,mine,manufactureortransporthomefurnishingsisoftenproducedusingnonrenewableresources,whichinturnreleaseharmfulemissionsintotheozone.

ApairofMarcelBreuerWassilychairsbringstimelessstyletoaroombyarchitectRickRenner.

WHATISSUSTAINABLEDESIGN?

Aswithexteriorandinteriorbuildingmaterials,choosinggreenfurnishings,fabricsandaccentsinvariablymeansmakingtrade-offsamongperformance,quality,beauty,durabilityandprice.Yet,asawarenessofenergyandenvironmentalissuescontinuestogrow,mostresponsiblehomefurnishingsmanufacturersarenowstrivingtocreateproducts,refinemanufacturingprocessesanddevelopbusinesspracticesinwaysthatareaseco-friendlyaspossible.Andtheireffortsareoftenyieldingunanticipatedbenefits.Notonlyarethesecompaniesreducingtheircarbonfootprints,they’reoftenreducingcostsandmakingtheirbusinessesandtheircommunitiesmoresustainable,too.

Tohelpclarifyanddefinejustwhatsustainabledesignisforfurnishingsmanufacturers,retailersandconsumersalike,twoorganizationshaverecentlydevelopedguidelinesandcertificationprogramsspecificallyforthefurnitureindustry.TheSustainableFurnishingsCouncil,anonprofitindustryassociationfoundedin2006,requiresthatitsmembersminimizecarbonemissions,waste-streampollutants,unrecyclablecontentandprimarymaterialsfromunsustainablesourcesforanyproductplatformunderitscontrol.Itsmorethan250members,whichincludemanufacturers,retailers,environmentalorganizationsandindividuals,useits“lifecycleassessment”approachtoanalyzetheenvironmentalimpactoftheirproductsandestablishwhatisknownasaverifiable“chainofcustody,”whichtrackstheflowofwoodproductsfromtheirsourcetotheirfinaluserandend-product.Knownforitsrigorouscompliancewithestablishedsustainabilitystandards,theorganizationlaunchedapublicadvertisingandin-storetaggingprogramin2008,whichenablesconsumerstoidentifyretailersandproductsthatmeetorexceeditssustainabilitystandards.

Oldfurnishingsmixingwithnewbringseco-friendlysophisticationtoaroombydesignerJanieHirsch.

Theotherorganizationthathasdefinedindustry-specificenvironmentalguidelinesforfurnitureistheAmericanHomeFurnishingsAlliance.Launchedin1999,itsvoluntaryEnhancingFurniture’sEnvironmentalCulture(EFEC)systemsupportsregisteredcompaniesinanalyzingtheenvironmentalimpactoftheirprocesses,rawmaterialsandfinishedproductsonafacility-by-facilitybasis.Tocomplementthiseffort,theAllianceunveileditsmorecomprehensiveSustainablebyDesigncertificationprogramin2007.SustainablebyDesignrequirescompaniesfirsttocompleteEFECregistrationforalltheirdomesticfacilities,thentoimplementsustainablebusinesspracticesthroughouttheirentiresupplychain.Atthisbook’spresstime,companieswithfacilitiesthathavepassedtheEFECauditincludeStanley,La-Z-Boy,Vaughan,Bernhardt,C.R.Laine,HickoryChair,LeaIndustries,AmericanDrew,KincaidandVaughan-Bassett.

MadewithanFSC-certifiedframeandorganiccottonbatting,thisloungechairfromPureFurnitureisglamorousandeco-friendly.

Toencourageandacknowledgesustainabledesignandbusinesspracticesinthehomefurnishingsindustryevenmore,theAHFA,inconjunctionwithCargillBiOHpolyols,launchedtheSageAwardsprogramin2008.Theprogramseekstodiscoverandrecognizeindustryinnovatorsintherealmofgreendesignandbusinesspractices,andfinalistsintheinauguralcompetitionincludedCiscoBrothers,aCalifornia-basedfurniturecompany,theHickoryChairCompany,aNorthCarolina–basedfurniturecompany,andValleyForge,aFlorida-basedtextilemanufacturer.Thewinner,theHickoryChairCompany,announcedattheAHFA’sSustainabilitySummitinGreensboro,NorthCarolina,in2008,washonoredforitscompany-widecommitmenttoenvironmentalstewardship.Theeffortresultedintheimplementationofmorethan1,200improvements—fromreducingenergyconsumptiontoeliminatingnon-value-addedoperations,improvingproductivityandreducingmaterialusage.Thesemeasuresenabledthecompanytoreduceditslandfillwastebyhundredsoftonsin2007andsave$450,000infueloilexpenseslastyear,whilegrowingitsprofitability.Inthepastthreeyearsitsworkforcehasgrownbyabout30employeesperyear,priceshaveheldforoverfiveyears,anditsemployeesstillreceiveraisesandbonuses.

haveheldforoverfiveyears,anditsemployeesstillreceiveraisesandbonuses.

ResourcesFormoreinformationongreenfurnishingsandaccentsorthematerialsusedtomakethem,visitthesewebsites:

•sustainablefurniturecouncil.orgForinformationonmembersoftheSustainableFurnishingsCouncil

•sustainablebydesign.usForinformationontheAmericanHomeFurnitureAlliance’sSustainablebyDesignprogram

•fscus.orgForinformationonwoodproductscertifiedbytheForestStewardshipCouncil

•greenguard.orgForinformationonGreenguard-certifiedmattresses•sfiprogram.orgForinformationonwoodproductscertifiedbySustainableForestryInitiative

•imo.ch/index.php?seite=imo_services_textile_enForinformationonorganiccottonfabriccertifiedbytheInstituteofMarketecology

•treefarmsystem.orgForinformationontheAmericanTreeFarmSystembytheProgrammefortheEndorsementofForestCertificationschemes(PEFC)

•ewg.orgFortheEnvironmentalWorkingGroup’slistofPBDE-freeproducts(flameretardants)

•aafa.orgForinformationonproductscertifiedbytheAsthmaandAllergyFoundationofAmerica

Vintagefurnitureandaccents,cottonfabricsandaflat-weaveruggivethisbeachhouseroomrelaxed,low-maintenanceappeal.

Inadditiontotheseorganizations,someofthereliablecertifiersofbuildingproducts,suchasGreenguard,theForestStewardshipCouncil,andtheSustainableForestryInitiative,canalsoberesourcesformoreinformationongreenfurnishings.Greenguard,forexample,hascertifiedhomefurnishingsproductsrangingfromwindowtreatmentsandofficefurnituretocasegoods,seatingandtables.

Sincesustainabledesign,manufacturingandbusinesspracticesmaybeevaluatedonmanylevelsandarevirtuallyimpossibletoquantifysimply,anoverviewofsomeoftheenvironmentalissuesaffectingvariouscategoriesoffurnishingsandthegreenstrategiesemployedbyafewcompanieswholeadthegreenmovementwillestablishsomecontext.Woodfurnishingsandcasegoodsvarydramaticallyintermsofquality,compositionandconstruction—andtheireco-friendlycharacteristicsarediverse,too.Byunderstandingthematerialsusedtomakethesefurnishings,consumerscanbettercomparetheirsustainableattributes.

WOODFURNISHINGSANDCASEGOODS

WoodandConstruction

Woodfurnishingsrangefromaffordablemachine-madeready-to-assemble(RTA)piecestocostlyhandmadepiecescraftedwithage-oldwoodworkingtechniques.Lower-andmid-pricedwoodfurnitureismadeofawoodveneerorapaperlaminateattachedtoacoreofparticleboardorplywood.Higher-endpiecesaremadeofsolidwood.Thewoodsusedtomakethefurnituremaycomefromdomesticforestsofrapidlygrowingorabundantspecies,suchaspine,basswood,beechwoodormaple,orslow-growingorraretrees,suchaschestnut,mahoganyoroak.TheymayalsocomefromexoticforestsinsuchplacesasAsia,AfricaorBrazil,andmightincludespeciessuchasteakorzebrawood.Somefurnishingsmadefrombambooandrattancanbecombinedwithandlooklikewood,butbambooisactuallyagrassandrattanisavine.

Thegreenestoptionsforwoodfurnishingsarethosemadefromsolid,abundantwoodsgrownandharvestedfromcertifiedsustainablymanageddomesticforests,astheenergyexpendedintransportingthewoodstothemanufacturingfacilitywillbelow.However,forthosewhopreferthelookoffurnishingsmadefromexoticwoods,choosingpiecesthathavebeencertifiedbytheFSCorotherreputablethird-partyorganizationswillassureyouthatthewoodsfromwhichtheyaremadeweregrownandharvestedsustainably.Likekitchencabinetsconstructedinasimilarmanner,woodfurnishingsmadewithveneersorpaperlaminatesaffixedtocompressedwoodorplywoodsubstratesoutgasvariouslevelsofVOCs.FurnishingsthatmeetemissionsstandardsestablishedbyGreenguardortheCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(CARB)assureminimalemissionslevels.

NewandoldwoodpiecesandupholsteredfurnishingscoveredinnaturalfabricsbringsustainablestyletoaroombyJanieHirsch.

FINISHESANDADHESIVESLikekitchencabinets,woodfurnishingsareusuallytreatedwithstains,paintsorfinishesandmaybemadewithadhesivesthatalsooutgasVOCs.Whilemanypeoplewholovefinefurnitureappreciatethedepthandrichnessofoil-basedfinishes,thosewithchemicalsensitivitiescansufferfromtheVOCemissionsofthesesolvent-basedsealers.Inresponsetothedemandforhealthierfurnishings,manywoodfurnituremanufacturersarenowofferingmoreproductscoatedwithwater-orsoy-based,low-VOC,low-HAP(hazardousairpollutant)coatingsorlow-emittingUF(ureaformaldehyde)resins.Othersrelyonenvironmentallyfriendlyandhealth-consciousoilsandwaxes.

Salvagedfleamarketfurnitureandcollectiblesofferanaffordablewaytobringeco-friendlyflavortoaroom.

AFEWGOODGREENSOURCESGatCreekandCaperton,twomanufacturersofhigh-valuesolidwoodfurnishingsandfoundingmembersoftheSustainableFurnishingsCouncil,havealwaysembracedsustainabledesignprincipalsintheirmanufacturingprocessesandproducts.Amongthemanygreenpracticesemployedbythesecompaniesisthedonationofsawdustgeneratedintheirfacilitiestolocalfarmersasanimalbedding.Selamat,amanufacturerofaward-winningindoor/outdoorfurnishings,createsitsfurnishingsfromdurableteak,rattanandbambooharvestedfromgovernment-certifiedgreenforestsinAsia.Sauder,amanufacturerofRTAfurniture,uses95percentrecycledpostindustrialmaterialinitslaminatedwood-productfurnishings,whicharealsoCARB-certifiedandshippedviaflat-pack

productfurnishings,whicharealsoCARB-certifiedandshippedviaflat-packmethodsthatreduceitstransportationcarbonfootprint.IKEA,anothermanufacturerandretailerofsolidandveneeredwoodfurnishings,sourcesitsproductsfromsustainablymanagedforestsandmeetstheEuropeanE1emissionsstandards.Thegreenestoptionsforwoodfurnishings,however,arethosemadefromreclaimedlumberacquiredfromexistingstructuresthathavebeendeemedirreparable.TheOldwoodCo.,basedinAsheville,NorthCarolina,offersstunningconsolesandcocktailandaccenttablesthataremadefromreclaimedwoodsandfinishedwithsoy-basedandothernontoxicfinishes.

ReducingExposuretoFormaldehydeintheHomeFormaldehydeisusedtoaddpermanent-pressqualitiestobeddinganddraperies,andinadhesivesandpreservativesinsomefurniturepaintsandcoatingproducts.Inhomes,themostsignificantsourcesofformaldehydearelikelytobepressed-woodproductsmadewithadhesivesthatcontainurea-formaldehyde(UF)resins.Pressed-woodproductsusedinfurnishingsincludeparticleboard,usedasshelvingandincabinetryandfurniture;hardwoodplywoodpaneling,usedincabinetsandfurniture;andmedium-densityfiberboard,fordrawerfrontsandfurnituretops.Medium-densityfiberboardcontainsahigherresin-to-woodratiothananyotherUFpressed-woodproductandisgenerallyrecognizedasbeingthehighestformaldehyde-emittingpressedwoodproduct.

Askabouttheformaldehydecontentofpressed-woodfurnitureproductsbeforeyoupurchasethem.Ifyou’veexperiencedadversereactionstoformaldehyde,trytoavoidtheuseofpressed-woodproductsandotherformaldehyde-emittinggoodsaltogether.Butevenifyouhaven’texperiencedsuchreactions,youcanreduceyourexposureasmuchaspossiblebypurchasingexterior-gradeproducts,whichemitlessformaldehyde.Formoreinformationonformaldehydeandconsumerproducts,calltheEPAToxicSubstanceControlAct(TSCA)assistanceline(202-554-1404).

Abeautifulweatheredhutch,aneleganttieredsidetableandastunningcuriocabinetfromtheHickoryChairCompanyaremanufactureddomestically,andmadewithhigh-qualitymaterialsandfinishesandclassicstyling.

FurnitureShoppingTipAccordingtotheAHFA,approximatelysixoutofevery10consumerswishtheycouldrepurchaseapieceoffurnituresimplybecausetheyfeeltheydidn’tbuyitrightthefirsttimearound.RecentresearchcommissionedbytheAmericanFurnitureManufacturersAssociationalsofoundthatmorethanhalfofthosesurveyedwouldbewillingtopaymoreforhomefurnishingsiftheyhadreliableinformationtohelpthemidentifyconstruction.FortheAHFA’sconsumer’sguidetosmartshopping,visitahfanews.com.

AlovelysidetablefromtheOldWoodCo.wascraftedfromreclaimedwoodandcoatedwithanontoxic,soy-basedfinish.

Apretty,solid-woodpaintedLoiresidetablefromCapertonwassustainablydesignedandmanufacturedintheU.S.

UPHOLSTEREDFURNITURE,TEXTILESANDSOFTFURNISHINGS

Earth-friendlyfurniturefromLeeIndustries’NaturalLEElinefeaturecertifiedwoodframes,soy-foamcushionsandnaturalfabrics.

Manymanufacturersofupholsteredfurnituretodayofferatleastonelineofeco-friendlyfurniture,andsomeoffercertaingreencharacteristicsasstandardfeaturesinalloftheirfurniturelines.

FramesandSprings

Thesameenvironmentalissuesthataffectwoodfurnishingsandcasegoodsapplytoupholsteredfurnishingsmadewithwoodframes.Inamovetoward

applytoupholsteredfurnishingsmadewithwoodframes.Inamovetowardincreasedsustainability,severalupholsteredchairandsofamanufacturersarenowcreatingframesmadefromcertifiedsustainablewoodsandfinishingthemwithlow-VOC,low-HAPcoatings.They’realsousingwater-basedgluesandcraftingtheframesusingenvironmentallyfriendlymanufacturingprocesses.Somemanufacturersarealsousingrecycledironoreormetaltocreatethespringsthatsupporttheseatcushionsofupholsteredpieces.

CushionsandPadding

Mostupholsteredfurnitureiscoveredwithpaddingandtoppedwithcushionsmadefromsyntheticfoamorlatex.Sincesyntheticfoams,particularlypolyurethanefoams,breakdownandemitparticlesofharmfulchemicaldustintotheatmosphereovertime,moremanufacturersarebeginningtoofferavarietyofeco-friendlyalternativestopadandcushiontheirupholsteredpieces.Someoftheseoptionsincludefillermadefromrecycledplasticbottles,andfoamsmadefrombio-,soy-orotherplant-based,renewablematerials.Othersofferstuffingmadefromnaturalmaterials,suchaswool,kapok,downorcottonbatting.Whilethesenaturalmaterialsaremoreenvironmentallyfriendlythanpetroleum-basedfoams,some—suchasdown,kapokandlatex—canbeallergensforpeoplewithsensitivities.Themosteco-friendlyfoamsandpaddingmaterialsshouldbefreeofpolybrominateddiphenylethers(PBDEs),afamilyofflameretardantsthatwereonceaddedtofurniture,carupholsteryandmattresses,buthavesincebeenvoluntarilytakenoffthemarketbymanufacturersafterconcernswereraisedabouttheirtoxicity.

FabricsandFinishes

Whethertheyareusedasfurnitureupholsteryortomakeothersoftfurnishings,suchasdraperies,shadesandcushioncovers,fabricsmadeofnaturalfibers—likecotton,linen,hempandsilk—aregrowinginpopularityforthehome.Yetsyntheticfabricsofferbenefitsofcolorfastnessanddurability,makingthempreferredchoicesincertaincircumstances,suchasinoutdoorsettingsorfamilyrooms.Andwhenthesefabricsaremadewithrecycledcontent,theycanberegardedasenvironmentallyfriendly,too.

Nevertheless,alldecorativefabrics,eveniftheyaremadeofnaturalfibers,aredifficulttoevaluatefromagreenperspective,partlybecauseofashortageofsustainablestandardsorcertificationsprogramsagainstwhichtojudgethem.Forexample,justbecauseafabricislabeled100percentnaturaldoesn’tmeanit’s

example,justbecauseafabricislabeled100percentnaturaldoesn’tmeanit’s100percentorganic.Onewayforacottonfabrictobecertifiedas100percentorganicistopassthecertificationstandardsestablishedbytheIMO,aSwiss-basedinternationalagencythatinspects,certifiesandassuresthequalityofvariouseco-friendlyproducts.TheorganizationisaccreditedbytheSwissAccreditationService(SAS),accordingtotheinternationalstandardforcertification,andisalsoaccreditedbytheUSDA,accordingtotheAmericanNationalOrganicProgram’sstandardforcertification.BeforetheIMOwillcertifyacottonfabricasorganic,thesoilsupportingthecottonplantsthatyieldeditsfibersmustbeverifiedtohavebeenpesticide-freeforthreeyears,andnopesticidesorsyntheticfertilizerscanhavebeenusedintheircultivation.

Themosteco-friendlyfabricsareeitherleftintheirnaturalunbleached,undyedstate,orcoloredorprintedwithIMO-certified,low-impact,earth-friendlydyes,whichcontainfewermetalcompoundsthanstandarddyes.Mosthomedecorfabricsarealsofinishedwithasizingorwithstain-protectiontreatmentsthatmaycontainperfluorinatedorotherchemicals,whichshouldbeavoidedbythosewithchemicalsensitivities.

Setamidantiques,newsofasandchairsarecoveredinnaturalfiberfabricsinaroom

byElaineGriffinfortheTwinMaplesshowhouse.

BrightIdeaBuyinggreenproductsisgood.Butbuyingthingsthatlastisevenbetter.Qualityandenduringdesignarewhatmatter.Chooseclassicfurnitureandwareswithdesignsthathavestoodthetestoftime.

GoodGreenResources

Severalmanufacturersofupholsteredseatingareproducingeco-friendlyoptions.CiscoBrothers,anindustryleaderinsustainableandeco-friendlyfurniture,makesitspiecesusingthehighestqualitynaturalmaterials,suchassoy-basedfoam,nontoxicgluesandFSC-certifiedwoods.TheHickoryChairCompany,a97-year-oldmanufactureroffinefurniture,hasdevelopedanEnvironmentalStewardshipPolicy,whichhasenabledthecompanytoreduceitscarbonfootprintbyusingwooddustfromitsfactoriestofuelitsboiler,reduceitscosts,growitsbusinessandhelpsustainthelocalcommunitythroughincreasedemployment.Itsfurnishingsarealsomadefromdomesticwoodpurchasedfromsustainablesources,andmanyofitsfabricsaremadeofnaturalororganicfibers.Asoftheendof2008,C.R.LainewasthefirstfurniturecompanytocompletetherequirementsoftheEFECsystemandachieveSustainablebyDesigncertification,anditsqualifiedfurnishingsarethefirsttobearaSustainablebyDesigntag.RoweFurniture,afoundingmemberoftheSustainableFurnishingsCouncil,recentlylauncheditseco-friendlyEcoRoweinitiative,whichincludeseco-friendlymanufacturingprocesses,eco-cushioncores,naturalfiberfabrics,andseveralcertifiedorganiccottonfabricsfinishedwithaneco-washprocessthatusesbiodegradablesolventstopreventcolormigration.AndLeeIndustries’earth-friendlyNaturalLeefurnitureincludesFSC-andSFI-certifiedwoodframes,soy-basedcushions,andwater-basedfinishes.

Slipcoveredinasolidnaturalfiberfabric,atraditionalchairgetsaclean,environmentallyfriendlyupdate.

AstunningsetteefromPureFurnitureisgreenandglamorous.

HealthyBouquetsDidyouknowthatyourfreshflowerhabitmaybehazardoustoyourhealth?

Didyouknowthatyourfreshflowerhabitmaybehazardoustoyourhealth?Conventionallygrownblossomsarecoatedwithchemicalfertilizersandpesticidesthatcontaminatesoilandgroundwater.

Asahealthieroption,chooseflowersthatareeithercertifiedorganicbyVeriFlora(asustainabilityguarantee)orbiodynamic(agrowingmethodwithevenstricterstandards).Botharepesticide-free.Thesebloomsaren’teasytofind,butyoucanpurchasethematmanyWholeFoodslocations.Youcanalsobrowseandspecial-orderfromtheextensiveonlinefloralofferingsfromOrganicBouquetbyvisitingorganicbouquet.com.

Topandbottom:AcontemporarywingchairandclassicmodernsofafromRoweFurniture’sEcoRowelinefeatureeco-friendlycushionsandnaturalfiberfabrics.

Cottonfabricinalivelynature-inspiredpatternlendsanadditionalearth-friendlytouchtoanupholsteredpiecefromLeeIndustries’NaturalLeeline.

Topandbottom:TheBosidechairfromCiscoBrothersismadeofsustainablematerials,andanottomanfromC.R.LaineisamongthefirstfurnishingstoearntheAHFA’sSustainablebyDesigncertification.

MATTRESSESANDBEDDING

Thequalityofyourmattresswillprofoundlyimpactthequalityofyoursleep.Butgiventhenumberofsyntheticmaterialsandchemicalsusedinthemanufactureofmostmattresses,itcanalsohaveaprofoundeffectonyourhealth.Withsomanydifferentmanufacturersandmattressproductsinthemarketplace,weighingtheoptionsincomfort,costanddurabilityisdifficultenough.Butfromagreenperspective,itisalsoimportanttoassessthechemicalsthatmattressesmayemitandtheeffectstheymayhaveonourhealth.

Mattressmanufacturersoftenappealtoconsumerswithpromisesofthebestsleepingcomfort,withoutmentioningtheimpactthatamattress’smaterialsmayhaveontheairtheybreathe.Yetmanycommercialmattressesaremanufacturedusingpolyurethanefoam,syntheticfabrics,chemicalfireretardants,toxicdyes,formaldehyde,antifungicides,pesticide-treatedcottonandstain-resistantchemicals,andthepotentiallytoxicVOCsoutgassedfromtheseelementscancauseallergicreactionsandotherhealthproblems.

AnantiquescreenwasrepurposedasaheadboardforabedtoppedwithcrispcottonbeddinginaroomdesignedbyJanieHirsch.

Stunningeco-friendlysilkfabricsandbeddingfromLulanenrichanantiquefour-posterbedinthehomeofdesignerEveBlossom.

Inresponsetoconsumers’concernabouttheharmfuleffectsthesechemicalsmayimpose,manymanufacturershavebeguntoproducehealthierororganicmattresses.Thesemattressesareoftenmadewithacombinationofcertifiedorganiccotton,naturalrubber,andwool,anddonotincludemetalsprings,whichareconductiveofelectricitythatcandisturbourequilibrium.(Becausemetalattractselectromagneticfieldsthatcaninterferewithourbodies’naturalelectricalsystems,it’sbesttochoosewoodbedframesinlieuofmetalones,too.)Thiscombinationofmaterialscanbemadeinvariousthicknessesandfirmnesses,andwillprovidegood,chemical-freesupport.

Untreatedwoolisnaturallyfire-resistant,repelsmites,moldandmildew,andwicksawaymoisture,butforthesmallnumberofpeoplewhoareseverelyallergictowool,apurelatexmattressmayprovideahealthieralternative.Naturallatexprovidesacomfortablesurfacethatmoldstoabody’scontoursandcanlastupto20yearswithoutsagging.Butforpeoplewithsensitivitiestolatex,testinganymattresscontainingthismaterialbeforebuyingitisadvisable,sincemostmattressesarenotreturnableafterpurchase.Whilecottonisacomfortable,breathablenatural-fiberfabric,thecottoncropsfromwhichitismadeareoftencultivatedwithtoxicpesticides.Ifpossible,chooseamattresscontainingonlycertifiedorganiccottonbatting.

certifiedorganiccottonbatting.Toverifyamanufacturer’sgreenclaimsaboutamattress,consumersshould

findoutwhethertheproductiscertifiedbyanauthorizedprogramororganization.In2006,Greenguardcertifiedthefirstbeddingproductsforlowchemicalemissions.

BeddingandPillows

Beddingandpillowsmadeofnaturalmaterials,suchascotton,silk,linen,woolorcottonflannel,arethebestgreenoptions.Butevennaturalbeddingelementscanposecertainhealthhazards.Unlessthey’remadeofcertified-organicnaturalcotton,all-cottonsheetsmaycontainpesticideresidueandemitVOCsfromsyntheticdyesandpermanent-pressfinishes.Woolblankets,ontheotherhand,maybetreatedwithmoth-prooffinishes.Thegreenestbeddingismadeofundyed,certified-organicfabrics.

Ahand-knitwoolcoverletbringsacozy,personaltouchofearth-friendlywarmthtoacontemporarybedroom.

Ifasthmaorallergiesareaconcern,makesuretobuyapillowthatminimizestheseissuesandiscertifiedbyacredibleassociation,suchastheAsthmaandAllergyFoundationofAmerica,which,beforecertifyingtheirproducts,putsthemthroughastringentscientifictestingprocess.

Inmanywaysthebedroomisthemostimportantroominthehouse.It’stheplacewherewerestandregenerate—andspendonethirdofourlives.Aswesleep,ourbodiesshedmetabolicwasteandrestoreournaturalelectricalsystemsandinternalorgans.Soourbedsandbeddingshouldbethefirstgreen

andinternalorgans.Soourbedsandbeddingshouldbethefirstgreenfurnishingschoiceswemakeforourhome.

GreenDIYPillowRecipeThisgreenpillowrecipe,adaptedfromPointClickHome.com,comesfromQCollection,atextilemanufacturerthatchooseseveryingredientforitspillowswiththeplanet’shealthinmind.

INGREDIENTS

1.5yardofClimatexLifeguardFRNaturalSatinWool(60percentwool,40percentviscose)

Needleandcottonthread4yardsnaturalcottonpipingPinsSewingmachine20"metalzipper,recycledcontent22"free-rangedownandfeatherinsert

DIRECTIONS

Cutthesatinwoolfabricintotwo23"squares.Bastetheorganiccottonpipingaroundonepieceoffabric.Layonesquareontopoftheother,rightsidesfacing,andbasteonesidewith½"seamallowance.Pressopentheseam,pinthezipperfacedownovertheseamandstitchinplace.Sewthetwosquarestogetherwithcottonthread,leaving½"seamallowance.Opentheseamoverthezipper.Turnrightsideoutandinsertpillowform.

ECO-FRIENDLYDETAILS

•The100percentnaturaltextilesaremadeofwoolandbeechviscose,bothrenewableresources.

•Theinsert’sfree-rangedownandfeathersarehumanelypluckedfromfree-rangebirdsraisedwithouthormones.

•Thelow-impactdyecontainsnotoxicsubstances.•Theorganiccottonisgrownwithoutuseofpesticides.

CLEANUPTIP

TaketheleftoverClimatexfabric,whichisbiodegradable,andaddittoyourcompostpile.Itmakesgreatmulch.

Turningfabricremnants,magazinephotosandfallenleavesintoartisaneco-wisewaytoaddcolorandpersonalitytoaroom.

GreenandClean

Amixofdurable,easy-to-cleantilesaddcolorandtexturetoaneco-consciousbath.

CLEANINGPRODUCTS

Onceyou’vecultivatedagoodgreenhomebychoosingenergy-efficientappliancesandhealthy,sustainablematerialsandfurnishings,thelastthingyou’dwanttodoisundermineyourgoodintentionswithcleaningsuppliesthatintroducemoretoxicsubstancesthantheyremove.Unfortunately,alltoooftenthatisjustwhathappenswhenweclean.Evenwhenyoulookatacleaningproduct’slabel,it’svirtuallyimpossibletoknowwhetheritisbiodegradableorcontainsharmfulchemicalswithoutknowledgeofitsingredientsandtheirchemistry.Thefactthatmanufacturersarenotrequiredbylawtolistalloftheiringredients—unlesstheyareactivedisinfectantsorknowntobepotentiallyhazardous—makesitevenmorechallengingtounderstandthetrueleveloftoxicityinanygivenhouseholdcleaner.Andregulatoryagenciesareoftenslowinidentifyingwhichofthevastnumberofproductsinthemarketplaceareunsafe.

Amplestorageaboveandbelowthecounterkeepsavanityarealookingneatandclean.

Butchoosingtheleast-toxicproductsisthebeststrategytokeepingahealthyhome.Doingsowillreducetheriskofharmnotonlytoyouandyourfamilyinthehomebutalsototheplanetwhentheproductsaredisposedof.Fortunately,newsuppliersofeco-friendlycleaningsupplieshavebeguntoemerge,makingiteasiertosafelycleanyourhome.Mainstreammakersofcleaningsupplies,suchasProcter&GambleandClorox,arenowproducingmoreeco-friendlyproducts,too.

Whilegreenhouseholdcleanerscancostmorethantheirconventionalcounterparts,thehealth-preserving—andoftenaromatic—perksareworththeextramoney.Yet,someofthemoremainstreamoptions,suchasClorox’sGreenWorksline,whichismadefrom99percentnaturalingredients,cancostjustpenniesmorethantheirtoxiccounterparts—andthey’reavailableeverywhere.

Tobesureacleaningproductistrulygreen,chooseonefromamanufacturerthatvoluntarilyoptstofullydiscloseallofitsingredients,assomeenvironmentallyresponsiblecompaniessuchasEcover,IsabellaSmith’sMaisonBelle,andSeventhGenerationdo.Anotherwaytobesureoftheeco-friendlinessofagreencleaningproductistolookfortheGreenSeallabelortheEcoLogostampofapprovalfromTerraChoice,acompanythatcertifiesgreenproducts.Bothlabelscertifythatproductshavebeenindependentlyverifiedasenvironmentallysoundandmeetthesamestrictstandards.

Slidingglassdoorsallowforeasynaturalventilation.

LookattheLabels

Ifyousimplymustpurchaseacleaningproductcontainingharmfulortoxicchemicals,thenyourmainconcernshouldbereducingexposure.Lookforthevariouswarningslistedonlabelsandunderstandwhattheymeansothatyoucantakethenecessaryprecautionstolimitharmtoyourhealthandtheenvironment.

Allhouseholdcleanersthatcontainknownhazardouschemicalsarerequiredtodisplayawarninglabelthatspellsoutpotentialrisks,alongwithprecautionarystepsandfirst-aidinstructions.Toilet-bowl,oven,anddraincleanersoftenbearlabelslistingthewords“Poison”or“Danger.”Theseproductsarecorrosive,extremelyflammable,highlytoxicorpoisonous,andaremoreharmfulthanthoselabeled“Warning”or“Caution,”whichcanbeusedascatchalltermsforvarioushazards.Soforlabelscontainingtheseterms,you’llneedtolookforphrasesthatidentifyspecificadverseaffects,suchas“Causesburns”or“Maybefatalifswallowed.”Productswithlabelsbearingtheword“irritants”containsubstancesthatcauseinjuryorinflammationoncontact,whilethoselistingtheword“corrosives”containchemicalsthatdestroytissue.“Sensitizers”areingredientsthatcancauseallergicreactionsandchronicadversehealtheffectsthatbecomeevidentonlyafterrepeatedexposure.

Bearinmindthatbecausetherearefewstandarddefinitionsorthird-partyorganizationsthatverifyclaimslistedonmostcleaningsupplies,certainterms,suchas“nontoxic,”“natural,”“environmentallyfriendly”and“green”cannotnecessarilybetakenatfacevalue.Onlytheterm“biodegradable,”whichimpliestheproductoritscontainersafelybreaksdowninareasonablyshortperiodoftime,islooselydefinedbythefederalgovernment.ArthurWeissman,presidentandCEOofGreenSeal,aleadingnonprofitgreen-cleaningcertificationorganization,offersthefollowingtipsonwhattolookoutforandwhattoavoidwhenchoosingcleaningproducts.

Topandbottom:Nontoxic,biodegradablecleaningproductsfromcompaniessuchasMaisonBelleandBiokleenofferhealthieralternativestomanycommercialcleaners.

Seek

•Citrus-orhydrogenperoxide–basedsanitizersordisinfectantsratherthanchlorine-basedonesChlorinecanformorganiccompoundsthataretoxiceveninlowdoses.Theproductlabelwilllisttheactiveingredient.

•CleaningproductsthatcanbedilutedwithcoldwaterfromthetapratherthanwithhotwaterTheenergyrequiredtoheatwaterhassignificantenvironmentalimpactsintermsoftheuseoffossilfuels,airandwaterpollution,etc.

•ProductpackagingthatisminimalandrecyclableUnnecessarypackaging

wastesresourcesandconsumesspaceinlandfills.Avoidmultilayerpackaging.Therecyclabilityofapackageisoftenindicatedonthebottomofabottlewiththe“chasingarrows”symbol.Plasticslabeled1(PET)or2(HDPE)arerecyclableinmanyareas,whereas3(PVC)isnot.

•BiodegradableproductsSuchproductsdecomposeintheenvironmentintominerals,carbondioxideandwater.Productsthatdonotbiodegradelingerintheenvironmentandmaybeabsorbedbyotherorganismsorcauseharmintheiractiveform.Manymanufacturersmaketheclaimthattheirproductisbiodegradable,butthelackofsuchaclaimdoesnotnecessarilymeanthattheproductisnotbiodegradable.

Avoid

•“Toxic”hazardwarningsonlabelIfaproducthassuchawarning,itcanbeveryharmfultoanyonewhoisexposedtoit.Bylaw,suchawarningmustappearontheproductlabel.

•DisinfectantsformosthomeusesIngeneral,thoroughcleaningwillprovidethenecessarysanitationformosthomesituations.Cleaningareasforthosewithcompromisedimmunesystemsorbaby-changingareasmayrequireasanitizer,inwhichcaseabenignformulashouldbeusedaccordingtotheinstructions.Labelswillindicatewhethertheproductisregisteredasadisinfectantorsanitizer.

•Productscontainingpotentiallyharmfulbutcommonlyusedingredients,suchasalkylphenolethoxylates(APEs),certainglycolethers,suchas2-butoxyethanol,orheavymetals,suchaschromiumorselenium.Althoughmosthouseholdcleanerswillnotgenerallycauseharmifusedasrecommendedbecauseofthelowlevelsofexposure,thepresenceofpotentiallyharmfulingredientsmayposeanunnecessaryrisk,especiallytochildrenortheelderly.Somecommoncleaningingredientsmaybepossibleendocrinedisruptersorpossiblecarcinogens.

•Productswithanysignificantamountofphosphate(above0.5%)Phosphatescauseproblemsinwaterbodies,contaminatingwaterandstressingaquaticlife.

•Productswithhighlevelsofvolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs)Suchproductscancontributetoindoororoutdoorairpollutionandmaycauserespiratorydistressorotherillnessesindoors.TheVOClevelisunlikelytobeindicatedonproductlabels,sotofindoutaboutthesesubstancesyou’llneed

tocontactthemanufacturer.•ProductswhichcontainabuilderknownasEDTA,whichstandsforethylenediaminetetraaceticacid.Thissubstanceisnotbiodegradable.Notethatproductlabelsmayormaynotspecifytheaforementionedtoxicingredients.

NaturalGreenCleaners

Onewaytooffsetthepotentialextracostofoneortwopriceyeco-friendlyproductsistomakeyourowncleanersthatcostnexttonothing.Someofthegreenestcleaningingredientsmayalreadybesittingonyourpantryshelforinyourmedicinecabinet.Creamoftartar,forexample,removesstainsfromsinks,tubsandaluminumpans,whilebakingsodacanabsorbodorsandremovesfruitjuicestains.Usingcommonhouseholdingredients,youcanmakeyourownless-toxiccleanersrightathomebyfollowingsimple,reliablerecipesthatareoftenavailableontheInternet.Remember,though,thatcleaningsolutionsmadewithfoodproducts,suchaslemonjuice,canspoil,soproperstorageisessential.Hereisalistoffamiliarhouseholdingredientsandadescriptionoftheircommoncleaningapplications:

Asmallbathwithlimitedsurfaceareaiseasiertokeepcleanthanalargeone.

•Bakingsoda(bicarbonateofsoda)Thismildalkalipowdercanbeusedtoremovestainsfromtile,glass,ovendoorsandchina.Itcanalsobeusedtoabsorbodors,cleantheinsideofrefrigeratorsorserveasastainremoverforfruitjuicesandothermildacids.

•BoraxThispowderorcrystallinesaltisawatersoftenerandsanitizer.Soldinmostgrocerystores,it’sanexcellentall-arounddeodorizerandgreatfreshenerwhenaddedtolaundry.

•CastilesoapOncemadefromoliveoil,butnowpossiblyincludingothervegetableoilsaswell,thismildsoapcanbeusedforgeneral-purposecleaning.Itisavailableinliquidorbarform.

•Creamoftartar(potassiumbitartrate)Thiscommonbakingingredientisamildacidthatremovesspotsfromaluminumcookwareandcanalsobeusedasasinkandbathtubstainremover.

•HydrogenperoxideAvailableindrugstoresandsupermarkets,thismildalternativetochlorinebleachcanbeusedforstainremoval,mildbleachingandkillinggerms.

•LemonjuiceNotonlydoeslemonjuicelightenstainsandcutgrease,italsoremovestarnishonbrass,copper,bronzeandaluminum(butnotonsilver).

•WhitevinegarVinegarcanbeusedtohelpkillgermsanddeodorize,removesomecarpetstains,andcleancoffeemakers,chrome,cookwareandcountertops.Itcanalsobeusedtounclogdrains.Notethatwhilewhitevinegarhasaslightscentwhilewet,whendry,itleavesnoodor.

SimpleHomemadeCleaningSolutions

Forsimplewaystoputtheseingredientstoworkinyourkitchenorbath,trytheserecipesadaptedfromtheChildren’sHealthEnvironmentalCoalition:

KITCHEN•CountertopsTomakeasimplesoftscrub,mixalittlebakingsodaandliquidsoapuntilyougetaconsistencyyoulike.Makeonlyasmuchasyouneed,asitdriesquickly.

•OvensTomakeahealthyovencleaner,mix1cupbakingsodawith¼cupwashingsoda,thenaddenoughwatertomakeapaste.Wearingrubbergloves(washingsodamayirritateskin),applythepastetogreasyovensurfacesandletitsetovernight.Thenextmorning,wipeoffsodamixtureandgrime,rinsingsurfaceswell.

•CuttingboardsSanitizethesesurfacesbysprayingthemwithvinegarandthenwith3percenthydrogenperoxide.Keeptheliquidsinseparatespraybottlesandusethemoneaftertheother—thoughitdoesn’tmatterwhichyouusefirst.

Thejuiceoffreshlemonscanbeusedtocutgreaseandremovetarnishoncommon

metalsinthekitchen,includingbrass,copperandaluminum.

DetoxTipsGreenerChoices.org,aweb-basedinitiativededicatedtoinformingconsumersaboutenvironmentallyfriendlyproductsandpractices,launchedbyConsumersUnion,thenonprofitpublisherofConsumerReports,recommendsavoidingcleaningproductscontainingthesesubstances:

•Nonylphenolethoxylates(NPEs)Whenthey’rereleasedintotheenvironment,thesechemicalscanbreakdownintotoxicsubstancesthatcanactashormonedisrupters,potentiallythreateningthereproductivecapacityoffish,birdsandmammals.

•AntibacterialsSomeofthesemaycauseskinandeyeirritation,andcertaintypes,suchastriclosan,maycauseenvironmentalharmbycontributingtotheemergenceofantibiotic-resistantbacteria.Expertsnotethatit’snotthetypeofcleanerthatmattersincombatinggerms,butthefrequencyandthoroughnessofcleaning—andplainsoapandhotwaterareusuallysufficient.

•AmmoniaItispoisonouswhenswallowed,extremelyirritatingtorespiratorypassageswheninhaled,andcanburnskinoncontact.

•Butylcellosolve(alsoknownasbutylglycol,ethyleneglycol,monobutyl)Itispoisonouswhenswallowedandisalungtissueirritant.

•Chlorinebleach(sodiumhypochlorite)Itishighlyirritatingtothelungsandeyes.

•D-limoneneItcanirritatetheskin.•Diethanolamine(DEA)andtriethanolamine(TEA)Thesechemicalscanproducecarcinogeniccompounds,whichcanpenetratetheskinwhencombinedwithnitrosomes,anoften-undisclosedpreservativeorcontaminant.

•HydrochloricacidItcanseverelyburnskin,andirritatetheeyesandrespiratorytract.

•NapthaThissubstancecancauseheadaches,nauseaandcentral-nervous-systemsymptomswithoverexposure.

•Sodiumhydroxide(lye)Itiscorrosiveandextremelyirritatingtoeyes,

noseandthroat,andcanburnthosetissuesoncontact.•SulfuricacidItcanseverelydamageeyes,lungsandskin.

Asolid-surfacetubsurroundminimizesstainsandmildewandmoldgrowthingrout.

Regularlysealingthegroutbetweencomplextilepatternshelpskeepitstain-andmildew-free.

DesignIdeas’EcoGenbathaccessoriesarebiodegradable.

BATHROOM•TubandtilecleanerMix1 cupbakingsoda,½cupliquidsoap,and½cupwater.Thenadd2tablespoonsvinegar(don’taddthevinegartooearlyoritwillreactwiththebakingsoda).Immediatelyapply,wipeandscrub.

•ToiletcleanerPour1cupboraxintothetoiletbowlbeforegoingtobed.Inthemorning,scrubandflush.Foranextra-strengthcleaner,add¼cupvinegartotheborax.

•DraincleanerFirstpreventcloggeddrainsbyusinghairtraps.Todegreaseandsweetensinkandtubdrains,pour½cupofbakingsodadowndrain,followedby1cupofvinegar.Letbubblefor15minutes;rinsewithhotwater.Youmighthavetorepeattheproceduremorethanonceorleavethebakingsodaandvinegarto“cook”overnight.

Thebestwaytoventilatearoomistoopenthewindowsandletthefreshairflowthrough.

ResourcesforCleaningProductInformation•healthyhouseinstitute.comForgeneralinformationongreencleaningandotherhouseholdproducts.

•cleaning101.comForinformationfromtheSoapandDetergentAssociation.

•epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.htmlandcdc.gov/mold/strats_fungal_growth.htmForinformationfromtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyandCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventiononmoldpreventionandremediation.

•osha.gov/SLTC/hazardcommunications/index.htmlForinformationontheMaterialSafetyDataSheet(MSDS),adocumentrequiredbytheU.S.OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration,whichcontainsLethalDose(LD)andothertoxicitydata.

•leapingbunny.orgForinformationonwhetheracleaningproductwastestedonanimals.

•greenerchoices.orgForgeneralenvironmentalinformationonvariouscleaningproducts.Lookatitseco-labelssectiontocomparegreenclaimsofvarioushouseholdcleaners.

•panna.orgForadviceonnontoxicpestcontrolsolutions.•greenseal.orgForalistofcleaningproductscertifiedasenvironmentallyfriendlybyGreenSeal,anindependentstandards-makingandtestingbody.

•watoxics.orgFortheSaferCleaningProductsFactSheetfromtheWashingtonToxicsCoalition.

•thegreenguide.comForrecommendationsandproductsreportsfromtheGreenGuide.

•householdproducts.nlm.nih.govForsafetyinformationonbrand-specificproductsandtheiringredientslistedontheNationalLibraryofMedicine’shouseholdproductsdatabase.

•checnet.org/healthehouseFormoresafecleaningrecipesfromtheChildren’sHealthEnvironmentalCoalition.

RECYCLINGANDCOMPOSTING

Everyday,weallaccumulatesomething—anemptybottle,abrokenprinter,yesterday’snewspaperortheremainsofthismorning’sbreakfast—totossintothegarbage.But,surprisingly,about80percentofwhatAmericansthrowawayisactuallyrecyclable.Sadly,ourrecyclingrateisonlyabout28percent.Toliveasgreenalifeaspossible,beforeyouthrowanythingout,whetherit’sanoldpieceoffurniture,aspentlightbulb,aplasticcontainer,anoldcomputerorabowlfulofpotatopeels—trytorepurpose,recycleorcompostitinstead.Doingsowon’tjustmakeyoufeelbetter.Itcanactuallyhelpprotectyourhealthandtheenvironment,too.

Addingclippingsfromafreshlymownlawntoyourcompostpilewillhelpnourishyourlandscape.

RecyclingHouseholdProductsContainingHazardousSubstances•ElectronicEquipmentElectronicequipment,inparticular,posesanenvironmentalhazardwhendisposedofinlandfills,wherethetoxinsitcontainscanleachintothesoilandgroundwaterandsignificantlypollutetheenvironment.ComputerandCRTtelevisionmonitors,forexample,contain4to8lbs.oflead,whichcandamageaperson’snervousandimmunesystemsandkidneys.Infact,theEPAciteselectronicproductsasthelargestsinglesourceofleadinmunicipalsolidwaste.Cellphonebatteries,ontheotherhand,maycontaincadmium,whichisconsideredtobeacarcinogen.Thankfully,mostelectroniccomponentscannowbereusedorrecycledand

keptoutofthewastestream.Ifyouhaveelectronicequipmentyounolongerneed,donateorrecycleitthroughanenvironmentallyfriendlysource.Therearenownumerousresponsiblerecyclingoptionsforoldcomputers,rechargeablebatteriesandprintercartridges.Tobesureyourequipmentwillberecycledproperly,choosearecyclerthathassignedwhatisknownastheElectronicsRecycler’sPledgeofTrueStewardship,avoluntarycommitmentdevelopedbytheBaselActionNetwork(BAN),anenvironmentaladvocacygroupfocusedon

theBaselActionNetwork(BAN),anenvironmentaladvocacygroupfocusedontoxicwastes,productsandtechnologies.Theserecyclersagreenottoexporthazardouselectroniccomponentstodevelopingcountriesordisposeofequipmentinmunicipallandfillsorincineratorsthataren’tequippedtohandleit.

RecyclingResources•greenerchoices.orgFormoreinformationonhowtosafelyrecycleelectronicsandfluorescentlampsandprotectyouridentitybeforerecyclingacomputer.

•800-424-LEAD(5323)FormoreinformationfromTheNationalLeadInformationCenteronhowtoreduceleadhazardsinyourhome.

•epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/index.htmForinformationfromtheEPAone-wastelegislationandanecyclingmapinyourarea.FormoreinformationabouttheEPA’sozoneprotectionprogram,responsibleappliancedisposal,ortoreportviolations,calltheEPA’sStratosphericOzoneProtectionHotlinetoll-freeat800-296-1996.

•epa.gov/bulbrecyclingTofindahousehold-hazardous-wastefacilitynearyoutodisposeofCFLsandotherlightbulbscontaininghazardousmaterial.

•eiae.orgForamapofecyclingcentersbystateontheElectronicIndustryAlliancewebsite.

•www.computertakeback.comForinformationfromtheElectronicsTakeBackCoalition,anationalcoalitionofnonprofitorganizationspromotingresponsiblerecyclingandgreendesignintheelectronicsindustry.

•ban.orgForinformationfromtheBaselActionNetworkonresponsiblerecyclers.

•rbrc.orgForinformationfromtheindustry-fundedRechargeableBatteryRecyclingCorporation,whichhasmorethan30,000locationswhereyoucandropoffbatteriesforrecycling,includingmanymajorretailerssuchasBestBuy,TheHomeDepot,StaplesandTarget.

•AppliancesInadditiontoelectronics,manyoftheappliancesweuseeveryday

alsocontainman-madechemicalsthatdestroytheozonelayer—theearth’snaturalprotectionagainstthesun’sharmfulultravioletradiation.Refrigerators,airconditionersanddehumidifiers,forexample,dependonrefrigerantscontainingozone-depletingCFCsandHCFCs.Ifnotdisposedofproperlyatalandfillorscrap-processingfacility,thesecommonhouseholditemscanreleaseCFC/HCFC-containingrefrigerantsintotheatmosphere.In1990,theU.S.CongressamendedtheCleanAirActtoincludelawstoprotectthestratosphericozonelayer.Partofthisnewlawprohibitsthereleaseofozone-depletingrefrigerantsintotheatmosphereduringtheservice,maintenanceordisposalofairconditionersandrefrigerationequipment.Sinceyourmunicipality,wastehauler,scrapmetalrecyclecompany,orlandfillmaynotownrefrigerant-recoveryequipment,contactthepublicworksdepartmentinyourtownorcountyandaskabouthomeappliancerecyclingorCFC/HCFC-recoveryprogramsbeforedisposingofrefrigerant-dependentappliances.Oraskyourlocalhomeapplianceretailersabouttheirrefrigeratorandhomeappliancecollectionprogramsorabouttheavailabilityofrefrigerant-recoveryservices.Andletyourlocalhaulerorservicepersonknowabouttheozoneproblemandthelaw—violatorscanbefinedasmuchas$25,000adayforlettingrefrigerantescapeintotheatmosphere.

•LightbulbsWhileCFLsandotherfluorescentsourcesareenvironmentallyfriendlyfortheirenergyefficiencyandlonglife,theyalsocontainsmallamountsofmercury,aneurotoxin,andshouldberecycledtopreventitsreleaseintotheenvironment.Contactyoursanitationdepartmenttoseeifrecyclingisanoptioninyourarea.Orcontactthemanufacturertoseeifitwillacceptspentbulbs,asSylvaniahasrecentlystartedtodo(thoughyouneedtoshipthebulbstothecompanyatyourownexpense).Anotherpossibledrop-offpointforlifelesslightbulbsisIKEA,theSwedishfurnitureretailer,whosestoresnowacceptoldbulbs.InSanFrancisco,thecityhassetupapartnershipwithlocalhardwarestorestotakethebulbs.

MinimizeUseofGarbageDisposalUnitsIn-sinkgarbagedisposalsrequirelotsofwatertooperateproperly,andalsoaddconsiderablytothevolumeofsolidsinaseptictank,whichcanleadtomaintenanceproblems.Instead,startacompostpileoruseakitchencomposter.

Composting

Justasyoucanrecycleyourelectronicsandappliances,youcanalsorecycleyourkitchenwastesimplybydesignatingseparatestoragecontainersforrecyclablepackagingmaterials,suchaspaper,metal,plasticandglass.Theeco-friendliestapproachtodealingwithfoodscrapsistoconvertthemintonutrient-richcompost,whichcanbeusedtonourishgardensorcrops.Findoutifyourtownhasagreenwasteprogram,likeSanFranciscodoes.Ifso,you’llbesuppliedwithaspecialbinforfoodandyardwastethatwillbetakenawaybyyourlocalgarbagecompanytoamunicipalcompostingfacility.Ifitdoesn’t,youcanpurchaseacompostingbinandstartacompostingareainyourownbackyard.Tomakeaneffectivecompostpile,you’llneedtocombineyourkitchenfruitandvegetablescraps,coffeegroundsandeggshells—knownasgreenmaterials—withbrownmaterialssuchastwigs,leaves,weedsandgrassclippings,inthecorrectproportions.Ideally,thismixshouldinclude25percentgreenmaterialsand75percentbrownmaterials.Neverincludemeat,fishordairyproductsinyourcompostpile.

Topandbottom:ABiostackComposterfromSmith&Hawken(top)letsyouturnfoodscraps,twigsandgrassclippingsintocompostinyourownbackyard,whileNatureMill’scolorfulunder-countercomposters(bottom),withbuilt-incarbonfilters,allowyoutocompostkitchenwasteandpaperinyourkitchenodor-free.

VENTILATINGANDCLEANINGINDOORAIR

Yourhomemaybemadeofhealthymaterialsandfilledwitheco-friendlyfurnishingsandfabrics.Andyoumayvacuumregularlyandcleanitwiththeleast-toxiccleaners.Butyoumaystillfeeltheneedforadditionalairfiltrationandcleaningtoreducetheimpactofairborneandbiologicalpollutants,suchastobaccosmoke,animaldander,pollenanddust,particularlyifyouorafamilymemberisallergy-proneorhaschemicalsensitivities.

Tokeepindoorairfresh,thefirststepistokeepitproperlyventilated.Becauseresidentialstructureswerefairlylooselybuiltuntilabout50yearsago,airinhouseswasnaturallyventilatednotjustthroughwindowsbutthroughleaksintheirstructures,whichallowedsufficientoutsideairtopermeateinsideandkeeptheinteriorairfresh,accountingforupto3to4airexchangesperhour.Unfortunately,thelooseconstructionalsokepttheseolderhomesfrombeingenergy-efficient.TheresidentialstandardsetbytheAmericanSocietyofHeating,RefrigeratingandAir-ConditioningEngineersis.35airexchangesperhour.Toachievethatstandardnowthathomesareconstructedmoretightly,alternativestrategiestobothventilateandfilterorcleantheairareneeded.

Yourfirststepshouldbetoallowplentyoffreshairfromtheoutsideintothehome.However,outdooraircanoftencontainallergensandotherpollutantsthatcanadverselyaffectmanypeople.TheEPAroughlydividespollutantsinindoorairintothreegroups:particles,gaseouspollutants,andradonanditsprogeny.TheEPAalsorecommendsthreestrategiestoreducetheseindoor-airpollutants:sourcecontrol,ventilationandaircleaning.Youcancontrolgaseousandradon-relatedpollutantswhenconstructingorupgradingyourhome,orinstallingorupgradingyourheatingandcoolingsystemsorstoveanditsexhaustsystem,andyoucanpreventmoldandmildewwithexhaustfansinbathroomsorlaundryrooms.Asidefromventilatingyourhomenaturallythroughwindows,youmayalsointroducefreshairthroughsupplyfans,amechanicalventilationsystem,anair-to-airheatrecoveryorenergyrecoveryventilator,orafresh-airintakesystembuiltintoyourforced-airsystem.

Onceyou’vedonewhatyoucantocontrolpollutantsattheirsourceandventilate,yourmainconcernmaybeintroducingadditionalairfiltrationorair-cleaningdevicestominimizeinevitableindoorpollutants.Whileaircleaning

cleaningdevicestominimizeinevitableindoorpollutants.Whileaircleaningmayreducethelevelsofcertainpollutants,theEPAcautionsthatnoair-cleaningproductcurrentlyavailablewilladequatelyremoveallofthepollutantspresentinthetypicalindoorairenvironment.

Therearethreegeneraltypesofaircleaners,whicharetypicallyclassifiedbythemethodtheyuseforremovingparticlesofvarioussizesfromtheair:mechanicalfilters,electronicaircleaners,andiongenerators.Hybridunits,usingtwoormoreoftheseremovalmethods,arealsoavailable.Therearemanytypesandsizesofaircleanersonthemarket,rangingfromrelativelyinexpensivetabletopmodelstosophisticatedandexpensivewhole-housesystems,whichareinstalledinthecentralheatingand/orair-conditioningsystem.Inaddition,manyexistinghomeventilationsystemscanbequiteeasilyadaptedtofilterlargeparticlepollutants,suchasmoldsporesorpollen.TheFiltreteUltraAllergenReductionFilter#1250manufacturedby3M,forexample,iscommonlyavailableatTheHomeDepotorLowe’sandwillfitintoastandard1-inch-deepfurnacefilterslot.Someaircleanersarehighlyeffectiveatparticleremoval,butothers,particularlymosttabletopmodels,aremuchlessso.Also,aircleanersgenerallydonotremovegaseouspollutants.Furthermore,theEPAcurrentlydoesnotrecommendusingaircleanerstoreduceradonanditsdecayproducts,sincetheeffectivenessofthesedevicesisuncertain.

Thereisnouniversallyacceptedmethodforcomparingair-cleaningdevices,and,withtheexceptionofonemilitarystandardusedonlytorateparticlereductionbyhigh-efficiencyfilters,thefederalgovernmenthasnotpublishedanyguidelinesorstandardsforuseindetermininghowwellanaircleanerworksinremovingpollutantsfromindoorair.Butseveralinterestedevaluatorsofportableair-cleaningunitshaveexpressedtheirresultsasacleanairdeliveryrate(CADR),whichcanbeusedtocomparepollutantremovalratesbetweendifferentdevices.Filtermanufacturershavealsodevelopedefficiencyratingssystems,suchasdustspotorarrestancesystems,tomeasureafilter’sabilitytoremovelargeparticlesfromtheair.Toevaluateafilter’sabilitytoremovesmallparticles,theAmericanSocietyofHeating,RefrigeratingandAir-ConditioningEngineershasdevelopedasystemcalledtheMinimumEfficiencyReportingValue(MERV),whichratesfiltersonascaleof1to16,withhighernumberratingsrepresentingthemoreeffectivefilters.HEPAfiltersystems,forexample,arecurrentlynotrated,butareestimatedtoreceivearatingof17.

Amechanicalventilationsystemandplentyofwindowsenablethetightenvelopeofthisenergy-efficienthometobeeffectivelyventilatedyear-round.

NaturalAirFreshenerRecipeMix1teaspoonbakingsoda,1teaspoonvinegar(orlemonjuice),and2cupshotwaterinaspraybottle,andsprayintheairtoremoveodors.

However,standardsforratingparticleremovalbyinductorportableaircleanershavebeenpublishedbytwoprivatestandard-settingtradeorganizations,theAir-Conditioning,Heating,andRefrigerationInstitute(AHRI)andtheAssociationofHomeApplianceManufacturers(AHAM).Theseestimatetheefficiencyoreffectivenessofanair-cleaningdeviceinremovingparticlesfromindoorair,andcanbeusedforcomparisonsamongdifferentdevices.

Inadditiontoair-cleaningdevices,otherdevicessuchassmokealarmsandcarbonmonoxideandradondetectorsshouldbeinstalledtopreventharmfulgaseouspollutantsfromcontaminatingindoorair.

Frenchdoors,flungwideopen,allowscool,freshairtoflowfreelythroughanupper-storybedroom,naturallyventilatingthespace.

CleanIndoorAirResources•TheAir-Conditioning,Heating,andRefrigerationInstitute(AHRI)Forfurtherinformationonstandardsforinductaircleaners,contactalocalheating/air-conditioningcompany,callAHRIat703-524-8800orvisitari.org.

•TheAssociationofHomeApplianceManufacturers(AHAM)ForinformationonitsstandardforportableaircleanersandacompletelistingofallcurrentAHAM-certifiedroomaircleanersandtheirCADRsvisitcadr.org.OrcontacttheAHAMbycalling(800)621-0298orvisitaham.org.

•epa.gov/iaq/pubs/residair.htmlFortheEPA’sbooklet“ResidentialAirCleaningDevices,”whichprovidesfurtherinformationonair-cleaningdevicestoreduceindoorairpollutants.AlsolookfortheEPA’s“ReferenceGuidetoMajorIndoorAirPollutantsintheHome,”whichcoverscontaminantssuchascarbonmonoxide,asbestos,biologicalchemicals,pesticidesandotherpollutants,andhowtoreduceexposureto

them.AnotherworthwhilepageontheEPA’ssiteisepa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html,whereyou’llfindinformationonozonegeneratorsthataresoldasaircleaners,alongwithanassessmentoftheireffectivenessandhealthconsequences.

•TheNationalPesticideInformationCenterSponsoredbytheEPA.TogetanswersaboutpesticidesortogetselectedEPApublicationsonpesticides,visitnpic.orst.eduorcall(800)858-PEST(7378).

•lungusa.orgFortheAmericanLungAssociation’sAirCleaningDevicefactsheet.

•GreenguardEnvironmentalInstitute(GEI),anorganizationdedicatedtoimprovingpublichealthandqualityoflifethroughprogramsthatimproveindoorair,hasthreethird-partycertificationprogramsthatverifythegreenclaimsofvarioushouseholdproductsthataffectindoorairquality.Foralistofitsapprovedindoorairfilters,visitgreenguard.org.

Anold-fashionedceilingfanandoperablewindowsenableplentyoffreshairtocirculatethroughthisroomduringthewarmermonths.

ARCHITECTSANDDESIGNERSBlueplumDesign:blueplumdesign.comBreakfastRoom,The:516-365-8500BrianPatrickFlynn,Inc.:brianpatrickflynn.comEisnerDesignLLC:eisnerdesign.comElaineGriffinInteriorDesign:elainegriffin.comJ.HirschInteriorDesign:jhirschinteriors.comJessicaHelgersonInteriorDesign:jhinteriordesign.comMichelleKaufmannDesigns:mkd-arc.comOttoBaatGroup,LLC:ottobaat.comPlumbob:onionflats.comRichardRennerArchitects:www.rrennerarchitects.comWESKetchArchitecture:wesketch.comYianniDoulisArchitectureStudio,LLC:ydarchitecture.com

BOOKSANDMEDIAChoosingGreen:TheHomeBuyer’sGuidetoGoodGreenHomes,JerryYudelson(NewSocietyPublishers,2008);newsociety.comHomeEnlightenment:Practical,Earth-FriendlyAdviceforCreatingaNurturing,Healthy,andToxin-FreeHome,AnnieB.Bond(Rodale,2005);rodalestore.comTheLazyEnvironmentalist,JoshDorfman(Stewart,Tabori&Chang,2007);stcbooks.comPointClickHome:pointclickhome.comPrescriptionsforaHealthyHouse:APracticalGuideforArchitects,Builders&Homeowners(ThirdRevisedEdition),PaulBaker-Laporte,EricaElliottandJohnBanta(NewSocietyPublishers,2008);newsociety.comTreeHugger:treehugger.comWater—UseItWisely:wateruseitwisely.comYourEco-FriendlyHome:Buying,Building,orRemodelingGreen,SidDavis(Amacom,2008);amanet.org

BUILDERS,CONTRACTORS,DEVELOPERS

EnvironmentsForLiving:environmentsforliving.comMcDonaldConstruction&DevelopmentInc.:m-c-d.net

BUILDINGPRODUCTS3M:3m.comAercon:aerconaac.comAFM:afmsafecoat.comAgristain:agristain.comAmericanPride:americanpridepaint.comAmericanStandard:americanstandard-us.comAndersen:andersenwindows.comAvonite:avonitesurfaces.comBarkHouse:barkhouse.comBioShield:bioshieldpaint.comCaesarStone:caesarstoneus.comCambriaQuartz:cambriausa.comCargillBiOHpolyols:bioh.comCaroma:caromausa.comCertainTeed:certainteed.comChristianaCabinetry:christianacabinetry.comCobCottageCompany:cobcottage.comContec:contecinc.comCorian:dupont.comDuPont:dupont.comDurisol:durisolbuild.comEagleRoofingProducts:eagleroofing.comEcoSmartFire:ecosmartfire.comElmer’sCarpenterGlue:elmers.comEnviroGLAS:enviroglasproducts.comFaswall:faswall.comFormica:formica.comHumabuiltHumaBlock:humabuilt.comIceStone:icestone.bizJeld-Wen:jeld-wen.comKnaufInsulation:knaufusa.comMarvin:marvin.com

Moen:moen.comNevamar:nevamar.comPaperStone:paperstoneproducts.comPittsburghPaints:pittsburghpaints.comRichlite:richlite.comSherwin-Williams:sherwin-williams.comSilestone:silestoneusa.comSquakMountainStone:squakmountainstone.comSwanstone:swanstoneproducts.comTrespa:trespa.comTruStone:tru-stone.comTyvek:dupont.comVetrazzo:vetrazzo.comWeatherBos:weatherbos.comWilsonart:wilsonart.comZodiaq:dupont.com

CLEANING,COMPOSTINGANDPESTCONTROL

Biokleen:biokleenhome.comBora-Care:nisuscorp.comEcoGen:ecogenlife.comMaisonBelle:isabellasmith.co.ukNatureMill:naturemill.com

FURNITURE,SOFTGOODSANDACCENTSMANUFACTURERS

AmericanDrew:americandrew.comAmericanHomeFurnishings:americanhome.comBenjaminMoore:benjaminmoore.comBernhardt:bernhardt.comCaperton:capertonfurnitureworks.comCiscoBrothers:ciscobrothers.comC.R.LaineFurniture:crlaine.com

GatCreek:gatcreek.comHickoryChair:hickorychair.comIkea:ikea.comKincaid:kincaidfurniture.comLa-Z-Boy:la-z-boy.comLeeFurniture:leeindustries.comLulanArtisans:lulan.comOldWoodCo.,The:theoldwoodco.comPureFurnitureDesign:purebyamimckay.comRalphLaurenHome:ralphlaurenhome.comRoweFurniture:rowefurniture.comSauder:sauder.comSelamat:selamatdesigns.comStanley:stanleyfurniture.comValleyForgeFabrics:valleyforge.comVaughan:vaughandesigns.com;vaughanfurniture.comVaughan-Bassett:vaughan-bassett.com

GOVERNMENTAGENCIES,DATABASESANDPROGRAMS

EnergyStarprogram:energystar.govFederalTradeCommission(FTC):ftc.govFederalTradeCommission’sEnergyGuide:ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/eande/index.htmlHouseholdProductsDatabase:householdproducts.nlm.nih.govNationalLeadInformationCenter:epa.gov/lead/pubs/nlic.htmUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture:usda.govU.S.DepartmentofEnergy:doe.govU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’sEnergyEfficiencyandRenewableEnergy:eere.energy.gov/consumerU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency:epa.govU.S.EPA’seCycling:epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/index.htmU.S.EPA’sWaterSenseprogram:epa.gov/watersenseU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil:usgbc.orgU.S.NationalLibraryofMedicine:nlm.nih.govU.S.OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration:osha.gov

WashingtonToxicsCoalition:watoxics.org

INSTRUMENTSBioElectricShield:bioelectricshield.comDavisInstruments:davisnet.comWeatherTrak:weathertrak.com

ONLINERETAILERSEcoNestBuildingCompany:econest.comEcoSourceHome&Garden:ecosourceonline.comGreenBuilding:greenbuilding.comGreenBuildingResourceGuide:greenguide.comGreenDepot:greendepot.comGreenHomeGuide:greenhomeguide.comHabitatReStore:habitat.org/env/restore.aspxHealthyBuildingsMadeEasy:healthybuildingsmadeeasy.comHomeDepot,The:homedepot.comiGreenBuild:igreenbuild.comLowImpactLiving:lowimpactliving.comNaturalHandyman:naturalhandyman.comNatureWood:westernwoodpreserving.comOrganicBouquet:organicbouquet.comSmith&Hawken:smithandhawken.comVeriFlora:veriflora.comWholeFoods:wholefoodsmarket.com

PROFESSIONALASSOCIATIONSANDNONPROFITORGANIZATIONSAir-Conditioning,Heating&RefrigerationInstitute:ari.orgAllianceforClimateProtection:wecansolveit.orgAlliancetoSaveEnergy:ase.orgAmericanHomeFurnishingsAlliance:ahfa.usAmericanHomeFurnishingsAlliance’sEnhancingFurniture’sEnvironmentalCultureprogram:ahfa.us/resources/efec/index.htm

AmericanHomeFurnishingsAlliance’sSustainablebyDesignprogram:sustainablebydesign.usAmericanInstituteofArchitects:aia.orgAmericanLungAssociation:lungusa.org;healthhouse.orgAmericanSocietyofDowsers:dowsers.orgAmericanSocietyofInteriorDesigners:asid.orgAmericanSolarEnergySociety:ases.orgAmericanTreeFarmSystem:treefarmsystem.orgAmericanWindEnergyAssociation:awea.orgAssociationofHomeApplianceManufacturers:aham.orgAsthmaandAllergyFoundationofAmerica:aafa.orgBaselActionNetwork:ban.orgBuildingGreen:buildinggreen.comBuildItGreen:builditgreen.orgCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(CARB):arb.ca.govCarpetandRugInstitute:carpet-rug.orgChildren’sHealthEnvironmentalCoalition:checnet.orgCoalitionforConsumerInformationonCosmetics:leapingbunny.orgConsumerReport’sGreenerChoices:greenerchoices.orgDatabaseofStateIncentivesforRenewables&Efficiency:dsireusa.orgEarthAdvantage:earthadvantage.comEarthCraftHouse:earthcrafthouse.comECyclingCentral:eiae.orgEfficientProducts:efficientproducts.orgElectronicIndustriesAlliance:eia.orgElectronicsTakeBackCoalition:www.computertakeback.comEnergy&EnvironmentalBuildingAssociation:eeba.orgEnvironmentalWorkingGroup:ewg.orgForestStewardshipCouncil:fscus.org;fsc.orgGetEnergyActive:getenergyactive.orgGreen-e:green-e.orgGreenguardEnvironmentalInstitute(GEI):greenguard.orgGreenMediaToolshed:scorecard.orgGreenSeal:greenseal.orgHealthyBuildingNetwork:healthybuilding.netHealthyHouseInstitute:healthyhouseinstitute.comInstituteofMarketecology(IMO):imo.ch

InternationalInstituteforBau-Biologie&Ecology:bau-biologieusa.comKitchenCabinetManufacturersAssociation:kcma.org;greencabinetsource.orgMalaysianTimberCertificationCouncil:mtcc.com.myNationalAssociationofHomeBuilders:nahb.orgNationalAssociationoftheRemodelingIndustry:nari.orgNationalFenestrationRatingCouncil:nfrc.orgMetafore:metafore.orgMetalInitiative:themetalinitiative.comMetalRoofingAlliance:metalroofing.comNationalPesticideInformationCenter:npic.orst.eduNationalSanitationFoundation:nsf.orgNationalWildlifeFederation:nwf.orgNaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil:nrdc.orgNorthAmericanInsulationManufacturersAssociation:naima.org;simplyinsulate.comPanNorthAmerica:panna.orgPartnershipforAdvancingTechnologyinHousing:pathnet.orgRechargeableBatteryRecyclingCorporation:rbrc.orgResilientFloorCoveringInstitute:rfci.comRohmandHaasPaintQualityInstitute:paintquality.comScientificCertificationSystems:scscertified.comSoapandDetergentAssociation:cleaning101.comSustainablebyDesign:susdesign.comSustainableForestryInitiative,Inc.:sfiprogram.orgSustainableFurnishingsCouncil:sustainablefurniturecouncil.orgSwissAccreditationService(SAS):www.seco.admin.ch/sas/index.html?lang=enToolBaseServices:toolbase.orgVinylInstitute:vinylinfo.orgWesternRedCedar:wrcla.orgWorldFloorCoveringAssociation:wfca.org

Websites,pricesandcontactinformationlistedinthisbookareaccurateatthetimeofpublication,buttheyaresubjecttofrequentchange.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thetalentandaidofseveralpeoplewentintothedevelopmentofthisbookandalldeserveouracknowledgmentandgratitude.

Severalarchitectsanddesignerssharedtheirinsightaswellasphotographsoftheirworkandwithouttheirsupportthisbookwouldnothavebeenpossible.ChiefamongthemareEveBlossom,YianniDoulis,JosephEisner,BrianFlynn,AnastasiaHarrison,JessicaHelgerson,PamelaHill,JanieHirsch,MichelleKaufmann,ScottLoisMackenzie,Martin,MichaelandTimothyMcDonald,RickRennerandVasiYpsilantis.Wewouldalsoliketothankthemanyphotographerswhocontributedtothecreationofthisbook,includingLincolnBarbour,SarahDorio,CaseyDunn,JohnGruen,DavidGroul,KenGutmaker,RobKern,ChrisLittle,MarikoReed,JamieSolomon,DavidDuncanLivingston,StevenMays,KeithScottMorton,MichaelPartenio,MarisaPellegrini,JayRosenblatt,SusanSully,JohnSwainandPaulWarchol.OurveryspecialthanksgotoKathyRitchieforherproductphotoresearch,aswellastoMatthewLevinson,ChristineCameronandAyn-MoniqueTetreault-Rooneyfortheirproductionassistance.Muchoftheresearchforthisbookwasdrawnfromnumerousbooks,professional,nonprofit,andgovernmentsourcesandwebsites,whicharelistedintheresourceguideorbibliographyattheendofthisbook.Finally,wewouldliketoexpressourgratitudetoDorothéeWalliserforhersupportofourvisionforthisbookaswellashergraciousandtalentedeffortsinseeingitthroughtopublication.

PHOTOCREDITS

AmericanStandard:74;Avonite:100;LincolnBarbour:47,72,79,83,83,97;BarkHouse:42;BenjaminMoore:94;Biokleen:128;Bulthaup:102;CaesarStone:100(bottom);Caperton:

120;Caroma:74;CiscoBrothers:123(bottom);C.R.Laine:123;GreyCrawford:

61;SarahDorio:28;CaseyDunn:9,52,126;TheContainerStore:131;EagleRoofingProducts:59;

EcoSmartFire:63;EcoSourceline:29;EcoTimber:107;J.SavageGibson:2;TriaGiovan:

6;DavidGroul:36,44,65;JohnGruen:125(all);KenGutmaker:82,111,129;AnastasiaHarrison:page14,37,63,

107,138,138;HabitatforHumanity:130;HickoryChairCompany:119(top,bottom),119;ErikJohnson:81;Rob

Kern:11,14,47,65,88,91,105,126;HulyaKolabas:94;LeeIndustries:120,123(top);ChrisLittle:10,91,98,101,115,118,138;DavidDuncanLivingston:80;MaisonBelle:

128;StevenMays:9,10,24,30,31,73,79,83,90,94,100,101,125;Moen:74;KeithScottMorton:23,69,91,117,131,136(top),132;NatureMill:136;EmilyMintonRedfield:102;

BruceNelson:28(bottom);MichaelPartenio:114;MarisaPellegrini:68,104,122,149(botoom);EricPiasecki:

103;Plyboo:102;PureFurniture:116,123(bottom);MarikoReed:18,26,28,48,61,62,69,74(bottom),105;JayRosenblatt:10,15,18,23,29,35,41,42,49,49,53,77,85,100,131(top),133,139;RoweFurniture:137;Smith&Hawken:136;JamieSolomon:28,56,

58,97,110,114;SusanSully:11,124;JohnSwain:72;Terracycle:33(top);TheOldWoodCo.:120;PaulWarchol:10,25,43(bottom),46,54,60,94.