The green product resource for your home remodel.

As you are remodeling your backyard and putting in that eco-friendly pool, make sure you check you local gas and electric company for swimming pool REBATES.  Most of them have rebates on POOL PUMPS (if only I had known!), POOL FILTERS (If only I had known!!), and POOL TIMERS.  

Go to your local utility website and search “rebates”, or “pool efficiency.”     I find on average that the rebates range from $30-150! 

Tankless water heaters take you a step toward green, as well as save space in your remodel. Below are direct links to manufacturers. I personally found that the Rheem site was the most informative!

• Bradford White (electric or gas)
• Bosch (gas)
• Eemax (electric)
• Stiebel (electric)
• Chronomite (electric)
• Rheem (gas)
• Noritz

Replacing your old lightbulbs before and/or during a remodel can save big things for our environment. The ENERGY STAR team discusses the savings associated with incorporating as many compact fluorescent lightbulbs into your home and remodel.

LIGHTBULBS: ENERGY STAR

Columbia Water and Light in Columbia Missouri is offering rebates for homeowners who purchase air conditioning units with specific SEER ratings.   Also referenced are federal programs offering rebates through the end of the year.  Are you adding a new heating and cooling system to your home now, or during your remodel or makeover?  This is something to look at not only for Columbia residents, but something to check in your neighborhood.    Cool Rebates for Air Conditioners Article

DAP Products Inc., one of the leading manufacturers of caulks and sealants, offers low VOC solutions for your window upgrades, bathroom water protection and tile projects.  See the low VOC alternatives you can use in your caulking, silicon, and sealant projects!

DAP Low VOC Green Products  

Shaw’s Epic Hardwood Flooring is composed of wood fiber that is a bi-product of saw-mills.   Shaw’s claim that their flooring uses approximately 50% less newly forested wood in production for their 3/8″ product, and 67% less newley forested wood for their 3/4″ products.  See the Shaw product at: Epic Hardwood - Initiative 009

When looking for new appliances (a refrigerator, water heater, clothes dryer, etc.), you can easily calculate how much energy one model will use over a competitive model.  Thus providing you with an answer of which will actually cost you more each day to use (and cost the environment).  This article provides you with the math equations to do it (note: you’ll need a copy of your electric bill):   

Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use

Reducing VOCs does not only apply to paints, flooring and cabinetry. VOCs are present in your old bedroom, and now that you are in the midst of a remodel…consider how you can reduce them in your bedrooms! Reducing VOCs in the bedroom