* So, here’s the thing. Lots of folks want to make “greener” choices when they make home repair decisions, yes, yes, we really do, but let’s face it. Often the repair is unexpected and the options get confusing when you start wanting to vote with your dollar for something a little lighter on the land (or your wallet long-term due to increased energy efficiency). I know how you feel–been there, done that. We recently had a new water heater installed and we did not go for the Energy Star model (like the one pictured). Yep, that’s the truth. I admit it. Go ahead–flog me. The water heater replacement was unexpected, we had no budget for it to begin with, the “tax rebate” info was confusing, we needed to make an immediate decision, and there you have it. We went for the less efficient choice with the short-term savings. We said we’d “revisit” it in 10 years, at which point I hope we can get a solar water heating system. (See Plumbing Issues, Budget Challenges, and Yes, the Return of the Potato Toilet!) We’re moms + we’re doing a million things + we do what we can to save the earth on top of it all. There’s no room for guilt in this equation.
* My friend is making fast repairs to get her house ready to put on the market, and she, also, would like to make the greenest choices possible within her budget. With two small children in the house, going for the no-VOC paint was a no-brainer for her. In fact, she’s the one who tuned me in to Sherwin Williams’ wide selection now (I had only used Home Depot’s FreshAire before, which I liked very much but it comes in a limited palette of color choices). Benjamin Moore, and most other paint companies, have no-VOC products now. Once you go no-VOC, I’d hazard to guess that you don’t go back. In fact, the painter I hired once to repair a leak and paint the wall with the no-VOC paint said it was the most pleasant day he had ever spent painting because of the lack of fumes. (See Paint, Reupholstery, Carpet Tiles, and a Whole New Way of Looking at Living Rooms.)
* The other fix-it or refresh-it items on my friend’s to-do list, however, have her stumped as far as eco-choices. One question she asked me was this: “What’s up with geothermal heating and how hard is it to find service?” I honestly had no idea, so off I went to research. Starting with basics (a good place to start in general, I find), geothermal heating systems use the free solar heat energy trapped just a few feet below the surface of the earth to heat and cool your home. It is considered by the EPA as the most proficient energy source, and is virtually emissions-free. There are tax credits of 30% through 2016 for installation of a geothermal system (such as the one pictured). Local geothermal specialists, such as this company, provide lots of information, links, and offers for free site surveys, and more. Natural Home and Garden did a nice overview of geothermal heating that will answer more questions for you.
* Here’s another question from my friend: “What are some stains for refinishing furniture in an easy, eco-ish way ( since I have a table to strip and stain)?” The excellent blog, Re-nest, which features “abundant design for green homes,” offers this list of eco-friendly stains. Get a load of the PolyWhey stain from Vermont made from the whey from cheesemaking! That, I love. Seeing the words “low” and “no VOC” make me feel like I’m at home again. And that of course let me know I’d be happy to have these products in my home.
In general, I have found that your best source for information about eco-products is the Internet–many brick-and-mortar retailers still do not currently have sufficiently knowledgeable sales staff about these products. Your other best source? A friend like me who likes to research–and “green” service pros on Kudzu (look for the green leaf in their profile which shows they list their environmental credentials) who can help you get your projects done the eco-way you want.
