Spring 'Greening' Around the House

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt">Spring ‘Greening’ Around the House</h2>(ARA) – Practically everywhere you look around the house, there’s a way to be greener. From improving indoor air quality to waste reduction to energy savings, there are many easy steps you can take to ease the impact on the environment.Paint it green Even if it’s not your color of choice, green can be incorporated into your home quickly and cost-effectively with paint. <div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/10b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/10b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> The buzzwords (or initials) in paints these days are VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. Simply put, VOCs are chemicals that can sometimes be detected by odors in the air — and that can affect a home’s indoor air quality. Besides having low- to zero-VOCs, the paint you select should also be high performing. The more durable the product is, the better it covers and the less frequently you need to repaint — which is another benefit to the environment. For example, Duration Home Interior Latex from Sherwin-Williams has a low-VOC formula that allows most smudges, spills and splatters to be easily wiped away with water or mild soap without scrubbing, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, baths, hallways and children’s rooms. A steamy solution VOCs can also lurk in areas where dry-cleaned goods are stored, as the process commonly uses harsh chemicals that can remain on clothing. You may be able to avoid some dry cleaning, and in turn save a little cash, with a steam dryer such as the Maytag Bravos. It combines heated air with mist to form steam, helping to relax wrinkles and remove odors — naturally. You can also rejuvenate one garment, one outfit or an entire load by taking advantage of various steam settings. When purchasing a dryer or any other new appliance for the home, it is also important to consider if the model is Energy Star rated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created the Energy Star program in 1992 to promote energy-efficient products. Purchasing household products with the Energy Star rating is a giant leap toward reducing your home’s energy use — and your utility bills. Upgrade and save If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been resigned to rising utility bills. According to the Alliance to Save Energy, the average household spent almost $2,100 on home energy costs in 2007, and with heating and cooling costs typically accounting for nearly half of a home’s energy bills, it can literally pay off to take a closer look at your heating, ventilation and air conditioning — or HVAC –system. A high-performing Trane matched system — which consists of the XV95 gas furnace, XL19i air conditioner and CleanEffects, a whole-house air filtration system–can deliver thoroughly cleaned and conditioned air for your indoor comfort while providing the utmost in energy efficiency. In general, pay attention to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating on your air conditioner. As a rule of thumb, the higher the rating, the higher the efficiency and the lower your bills. For instance, the XL19i, with one of the highest SEER ratings available of up to 19.5, could save you up to 59 percent on your annual energy bill. Also, look for a furnace with the highest Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating available, as this rating is comparable to miles-per-gallon in a car. The XV95 has an AFUE rating of up to 96.7 percent, which can save you up to 40 percent annually on energy consumption and, in turn, lower your energy bills. A bright idea Also when it comes to energy usage, the U.S. Department of Energy says almost a fourth of a typical home’s energy bills goes toward lighting the home. Installing light dimmers is an easy, inexpensive way to save on these costs and at the same time create ambiance in rooms where mood counts, such as in the dining room, bedroom and bathroom. Not your average dimmer, Lutron’s Skylark EcoDim works with both incandescent and halogen bulbs to reduce energy consumption, because it is programmed to limit light levels to no more than 85 percent of full capacity. This decrease in light level is imperceptible to the eye, reduces energy consumption by at least 15 percent at all times and doubles the life of an incandescent bulb. These efficient dimmers look and function like typical dimmers in every other way, reducing light levels to as low as five percent and reducing energy use even further. <div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/5b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/5b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> Making a few easy green improvements around your house can help you be friendly to the environment — and your wallet. For more information about spring "greening" your home with these product
s, visit sherwin-williams.com, maytag.com, trane.com and lutron.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Meta