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Last Updated: Aug 10th, 2008 - 21:40:03 |
(ARA) - You can just smell it. You install new carpeting in your home, and the air in your living room takes on a brash, chemical scent. That can’t be good.
The health and safety of our families is a top priority for all of us, yet it’s surprising how common it is to neglect easy ways to protect them. If you are planning to remodel, redecorate or even build a new home, what should you consider?
“Homeowners are realizing how much their homes -- and carpets, paints, wood finishes, cleaning supplies, heating and air conditioning systems, and fireplaces -- can affect their health,” says Scott Steinmetz, a civil engineer and director of catastrophe management for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company.
Breathing Easy
There’s growing evidence that indoor air can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov/iaq). And with 90 percent of our time spent indoors, health risks from airborne pollutants inside the home may be much higher than you think.
When you are remodeling, considering installing hard-surface flooring rather than carpeting to protect indoor air for the long term. If you decide to go with carpeting, you can now find products that meet the Carpet and Rug Institute (www.carpet-rug.org) air quality standards for low emissions through its Green Label program. And, ask for carpet manufacturers with recycling programs; many will accept their used carpets for recycling or remanufacture. An estimated 5 billion pounds of carpet go to landfills annually because its synthetic components prevent easy recycling.
Repainting as well? Request paints that do not use volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs, which are used in paints, lacquers and cleaning supplies. VOCs emit gases with significant health effects. Low- or no-VOC paints (and cleaning products) are now widely available.
Other common sources of indoor air pollution include cabinetry and insulation (formaldehyde), improperly vented fireplaces,and poorly installed or maintained heating and cooling systems or home appliances, such as gas ranges, stove hoods or water heaters. Quality builders and contractors can source green and healthy products for you, and the U.S. Green Building Council provides up-to-date information on safer and greener products and building techniques.
Conserving Energy
A foundation element of green building or remodeling is energy conservation. To reduce household energy consumption, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents which reduce power consumption.
Other easy ways to lower household energy use are programming your thermostat, plugging air leaks and upgrading your appliances to Energy Star products. New, energy-efficient windows can also significantly reduce energy used for heating and cooling older homes or apartment buildings, and there’s some evidence that double-paned windows can also reduce fire damage.
If you are building a new home, work with your architect to site and design the house with energy consumption in mind, and maximize the benefits of natural daylight (so you’ll need fewer electric lights). Also consider passive ventilation, which will promote the flow of fresh air throughout your home when you need it. And, of course, install energy- and water-efficient appliances.
Green (and Healthy) Remodeling
If you are updating your home or building a new one, you’ll be astounded at the array of green options available.
Consider bamboo flooring. It’s contemporary, durable and comes in a variety of finishes -- and it’s not even wood. (Bamboo is actually a member of the grass family and grows like a weed). Cork and eucalyptus flooring have similar ecofriendly qualities. Resources abound for other green flooring options, including reclaimed wood from rivers and lakes. Especially for historic homes, reclaimed wood can provide unmatched appeal.
If you prefer traditional wood, you can still go green by purchasing products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (www.fscus.org). Flooring, structural lumber, cabinets and a wide range of furnishings are available from FSC suppliers nationwide. You can be assured that these products are made from woods that are responsibly managed, harvested and manufactured.
Cabinets, tile, plasters and countertops are available with green advantages as well. Cabinetry without toxic glues and formaldehyde is widely available and can be finished with low-VOC paints and lacquers. Lead-free tiles are also available, with significant recycled content. And for countertops, the options cross all boundaries -- from recycled glass, concrete or plastic to finely made FSC-certified white oak butcher block. Even wallpaper makers are introducing elegant grass cloth products with more fiber, recycled backing paper and nontoxic laminants.
In the interest of protecting policyholders from damage to their homes and property -- and also educating customers about the health benefits of a ‘green’ home environment, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company has introduced green homeowners insurance.
This innovative coverage is offered to homeowners who currently own green homes or who want to upgrade their residences with green features after a loss using environmental safety and efficiency standards. If a home is completely destroyed, it can be rebuilt to green standards, certified as having Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design status (LEED, www.usgbc.org/leed).
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