PAINT & FINISHES: Home Depot offers eco-friendly paint

Home Depot starts selling eco-friendlier paint in April.

ICI Paints and The Home Depot will launch an environmentally friendly paint nationwide in April 2008. The Freshaire Choice? Paint offers a paint free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is backed by a lifetime guarantee and GREENGUARD certification. Featuring a custom color palette of 66 beautiful colors available through an innovative tinting system.   Additionally, the packaging, samples, color cards are made in some % with recycled materials.  At $35-38 a gallon, here is what Home Depot and ICI have to say about it (from their press release today)…

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside a home is, on average, two-to-five-times more polluted than the air outside. As the emphasis of environmental concern shifts from outside to inside, paint is a large contributing factor to poor indoor air quality and can emit harmful chemicals, such as VOCs, for years after Read more

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REBATES: Energy Star Tax Holiday in Texas (May 24-26)

Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday
Memorial Day Weekend
May 24 ? 26, 2008

During Memorial Day weekend, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales and use taxes on purchases of certain energy efficient products. The 2008 Energy Star sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day).

The products qualifying for the exemption are:

• air conditioners priced under $6,000 (room and central units)
• clothes washers (but not clothes dryers*)
• ceiling fans
• dehumidifiers
• dishwashers
• light bulbs (incandescent and fluorescent)
• programmable thermostats
• refrigerators priced under $2,000.
  *  Because most dryers use similar amounts of energy, Energy Star does not label clothes dryers.

Qualifying products will display the Energy Star logo, which may appear on the appliance, the packaging or the Energy Guide label. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Earning the Energy Star means a product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by these two federal agencies.

There is no limit on the number of qualifying items one can purchase during this sales tax holiday, and an exemption certificate is not required.  For more information click here.

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The Essence of Green - More to a remodel than just green products

The Essence of Green

While many articles have been written on the emergence of green design and the countless discussions of green materials, green systems, and green principles, it is far less often that we take a step back and look at those parameters which truly address what makes up the essence of green design.

For centuries, mankind has designed and built within his environment in many different ways. The less technologically advanced he?s been ? the more he has had to depend upon understanding the local climate, geography, and environment for his well being. As we have advanced our building methods and means, the quantity at which we construct buildings, and the intricacies of out living spaces ? we have created the path that has led us to suddenly stop and take more notice of what all of that has done to our environment. We have come to realize that we have built without thought of our surroundings or landscape for far too long, and that has resulted in harm to both ourselves and our earth.

To address the fact that while we can talk at great lengths about sunflower laminates, bamboo floors, recycled glass, fluorescent lighting, solar panels, etc. ? we constantly overlook the very basic and most simple principles which have guided some of the most wonderful architecture of our time. From the centuries old Indian tepees and Tongkonan rice barns to the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, Peter Zumthor, and Rudolph Schindler there are striking examples of those who have understood how to embrace our built landscape with much more than merely addressing their environment, but weaving their Read more

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DECKING: Dark colors are in, and Trex Brasilia is now available in Espresso

Dark woods are in indoors, and this week Trex announced a new color to their Brasilia outdoor decking product: Espresso.

Trex Brasilia(R) decking and railing takes its design inspiration from the exotic look of tropical hardwoods. Building upon positive consumer response to this collection, Trex introduced a new color and a new fastening system to the Trex Brasilia collection at the 2008 International Builders’ Show (IBS).

Already available in Burnished Amber and Cayenne colors, Trex is debuting Brasilia in new Espresso, which resembles the dark brown hardwood look that is in style throughout all home living categories - including furniture and flooring. This deep and warm color offers minimal fading over time, which allows Espresso to maintain its richness. Like the existing Trex Brasilia color options, Espresso features subtle shading and Read more

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GREEN MOVING BOXES: RecoPack makes your remodel storage eco-friendly

EarthFriendlyMoving is out to change the way American homeowners move with an environmentally friendly, do-it-yourself (DIY), packing and moving system developed entirely from recyclable trash mined from local landfills.  Something we all need when we are packing away for our remodel!

Spencer Brown came up with a very simple green idea to take our hard to recycle plastic trash (all of that stuff found under your kitchen sink and laundry room) and convert this waste plastic into RecoPacks (Recycled Ecological Packing Solution). 

Made from 74 plastic bottles, a RecoPack is a plastic moving container that you use instead of cardboard boxes for your remodel storage or move.  RecoPacks are rented through EarthFriendlyMoving.com.  

“When you do the math, we have removed over 740,000 bottles to make the first 10,000 RecoPacks,” says Brown.  “For every 100 RecoPack containers we manufacture, EarthFriendlyMoving removes an average of 256 pounds of trash from the country?s landfills!”  Brown also notes that it saves three healthy green trees from being cut down and made into disposable packing products like cardboard boxes.

How do you get RecoPacks for your remodel move or storage? 

To get your RecoPacks you call, email or fax one of the EarthFriendlyMoving.com eco-agents, and they will help determine the right number and sizes of RecoPacks and other supplies you?ll need to complete your move.  RecoPacks come in 5 homeowner friendly sizes  ? small (14″x14″x14″), medium (20″x14″x12″), large (22″x16″x14″) and extra large (28″x18″x20″).  A specially designed pallet made from recycled baby diapers called the ?Poopy Pallet,? is where you can stack your packed RecoPacks.

The RecoPacks arrive at your home via a vegetable powered/bio diesel truck.  In addition, the delivery truck doubles as mini packing material factory.  The truck harnesses energy it creates while driving, and then powers a machine on the back which produces Geami paper packing material, eliminating your need to purchase plastic bubble wrap.

The company also offers RecoCubes to protect your valuables.  These packing cubes are made from recycled paper sludge.  They compress it into this cool powerful cube and add sugars, starches and B-12 (plant food vitamins). When you?re done unpacking, all you need to do is toss them into your garden and they become compost for your trees and plants!

RecoPack’s rent out at $1/wk for some sizes, and there is a small delivery and pickup fee that ranges between $29- $99.  EarthFriendlyMoving is currently operating in Orange County and Long Beach, California and will expand throughout Southern California in 2008 and ‘09. For more on Spencer’s company, check out their RecoPack YouTube Video.
 

Related Stories on GetWithGreen.com
- Used Cardboard boxes offer a solution to your remodel move

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APPLIANCES: The Best Washing Machines of 2008

At GetWithGreen.com we appreciate good solid investigative efforts, which brings real insight to all of homeowners who are remodeling.  Justin Thomas over at MetaEfficient.com just completed some serious investgation on 2008 washing machines, and it is excellent. 

MetaEfficient’s article digs deep into the ENERGY STAR website (saving you valuable time!), and exposes the most efficient machines by manufacturer.    If you are in the market for a new washing machine this is a must read!  

Check out:  The Most Efficient Washing Machines of 2008.

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• Who took J.D. Powers top award?

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Awnings save energy, increase the value of your home, and add style

Homeowners are continually looking for ways to get a greater return on their home investment. But with the recent price increases for building materials and shrinking lot sizes, outdoor living areas are now becoming a more valuable and trendy upgrade.

Awnings, both aesthetically appealing and functional, create an outdoor extension of the home that can facilitate many activities. And a well-placed awning can add thousands of dollars to the price of a home, especially in smaller homes where square footage is at a premium.

?Homeowners often consider their home a retreat and are on the lookout for unique additions that add character,? said Michelle Sahlin, managing director, Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA). ?An awning extends outdoor living space by creating a new room without the high costs and complexities of other home additions. These outdoor havens have the potential to give homeowners increased selling power.?

Beyond improving a home?s value, there is a much larger benefit for homeowners to use awnings - energy efficiency.

A recent study covering Minneapolis, Boston, Seattle, Albuquerque, Phoenix, St. Louis and Sacramento, found that window awnings can reduce household cooling energy by as much as 26 percent in hot climates and 33 percent in cold climates. PAMA funded the study to determine if awnings are a viable means of reducing energy and air conditioner usage in the home.

?Energy efficiency, extended outdoor living and the potential for lower electric bills are some of the most valuable reasons to purchase an awning for your home,? said Sahlin. ?Dollar for dollar, the value of this investment is hard to match when considering home upgrades.?

Please note that for any type of awning, price will vary depending on size and style. Please contact your local PAMA member for specific estimates.  For more information about the energy study or to find an awning manufacturer near you, you should visit http://www.awningstoday.com.

Related articles on GetWithGreen.com
- Awnings provide eco-minded remodeling options for homeowners

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Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs). Are they right for you?

Can you receive more from your home loan if you are making energy efficient improvements?  The answer is yes with an EEM.  But is an Energy Efficient Mortgage right for you?  Watch this video from Local12.com, and learn a bit more about Energy Efficient Mortages or EEMs!

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SOLAR: For all us Dummies, here is how to Solar Power Your Home

This may be a book the book that helps you in demystifying a part of your eco-friendly remodel, Solar Power Your Home for Dummies.  The book was released in last December.

Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you?re looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power Your Home For Dummies attempts to take the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you — according the Dummies team. 

The guide offers tips for making your home more energy-efficient though solar power?and helping the planet at the same time. The following topics are covered:

• Choose and install your best solar system
• Handle small to large solar projects
• Heat and cool your house with solar energy
• Install exterior solar lighting
• Handle swimming pool, water heater, or ventilation solar projects
• Create greenhouses or solar rooms
• Build, buy, or sell a solar home
• Finance your solar investments
• Take advantage of tax rebates and incentives associated with solar power
• Avoid the worst solar mistakes
• Featuring ten of the easiest and cheapest do-it-yourself solar projects, Solar Power Your Home For Dummies is the fun and easy way to meet your energy needs with this clean power source!

You can read an excerpt from book at Architecture Week online to see if the content makes sense for you.  You can read the more marketing/sales messaging about the book on Dummies.com.

The book was written by Rik DeGunther.  Rik is the founder of Efficient Homes, an energy consultant firm that focuses on home energy audits and the design of efficient heating and cooling systems.

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Landscaping: First Eco-Friendly Grass Seed Announced

Yesterday, Pennington Seed unveiled ‘Smart Seed’, which they claim is the first environmentally-friendly grass seed. The seeds are coated with their ‘MYCO Advantage’, an exclusive blend of beneficial, all-natural root organisms that contribute to plant growth. The additional nutrients have been shown to result in denser and deeper root systems helping to achieve a thick, healthy, more drought resistant lawn.

According to Pennington, the average lawn requires 10,000 gallons of water in addition to what is provided by rainfall each year. By planting a new lawn or over seeding an existing lawn with Smart Seed, homeowners can conserve up to 3,000 gallons of water per year, so they can conserve water and save money.

Smart Seed is available in Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Rye and Bermudagrass seed blends, as well as Sun and Shade, Fescue/Bluegrass and Dense Shade seed mixtures.

Have you or someone you know tried ‘Smart Seed’? Are you aware of similar grass offerings? We’d love to hear from you. Leave us a comment to share your experience.

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