Seeing green through new energy efficient windows

(ARA) - Now that spring is here, many homeowners are thinking about remodeling projects that will improve the home this season and year-round. Whether you're planning a few do-it-yourself improvements or a major renovation, it's important to think "green." One way to enhance the beauty and comfort of your home while saving on energy is by installing highly energy efficient windows.

Energy efficient windows with high insulating values, such as R-5, can result in significant savings on energy needed to heat and cool a home. Up until now, such windows have been cost prohibitive to most consumers. But thanks to programs like the Department of Energy (DOE)'s High Performance Windows Volume Program, homeowners can now purchase energy efficient R-5 windows at a more affordable price.

"The ultimate goal of such initiatives is to increase the awareness of R-5 windows and make purchasing more attainable for home and commercial building owners," says Terry Mapes, energy efficiency engineer and principal investigator, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). "R-5 windows are some of the most insulating available on today's market, and with so many manufacturers now producing such windows, it's getting easier to find prices that suit every need and budget."

So, what exactly does R-5 mean and why is it beneficial? An "R" value of a window means greater resistance to weather - making it ideal in winter to keep warm air in the home and cold air out and vice versa in the summer. This compares to common ENERGY STAR windows with an R-value of 3. Increasing the R-value from 3 to 5 reduces average heat loss through the windows by more than 30 percent, according to the DOE.

"We want consumers to know that although window technology has become more advanced through the years, it doesn't mean they have to sacrifice beauty with ordinary-looking windows," says Chris Pickering, vice president, marketing, Ply Gem Windows. "In combination with other energy efficiency upgrades such as insulated siding, these windows can dramatically improve curb appeal and home comfort in both the warm and cold months."

Qualifying windows within the DOE program are available in different colors and styles to match a variety of home decor. Ply Gem Windows, for example, offers R-5 windows and patio doors for both new construction and retrofit projects that come in a choice of two solid interior colors, three wood grain interior options and four exterior colors. Multiple grille, screen and frame styles can be selected for a more personalized look.

If you're looking to make a change this spring that will beautify your home while protecting the environment, consider installing energy efficient windows. For more detailed information, visit websites such as www.plygemwindows.com/R5 and www.windowsvolumepurchase.org, which are geared to help consumers better understand the benefits of R-5 windows and select styles that suit their needs.

Home 'eco'-nomics

Home 'eco'-nomics
(ARA) - Of the 13 recessions since the Great Depression, none has presented a combination of length, breadth and depth more significant than that of the current economic downturn. However, there is a bit of a bright spot among all of the doom and gloom. But perhaps it should be called a "green" spot.


While many expected American consumers to lose interest in the green movement, what has surfaced is a new pragmatism about the environment that embraces restraint, simplicity and cost-savings. As a result, consumers are re-evaluating what green really means.


"Today's green consumers are really savvy. They're now smarter about what they buy and they're looking for a direct return on investment through energy and utility savings," says Jack Suvak, senior director of research and insights at Moen.


Home is where it all begins
From organic produce to low-phosphate detergents, home is the heart of all things green. Whatever touches the kitchen and bath has become the first place for consumer evaluation and potential adoption.

Raising children to be environmental heroes

(ARA) - For modern families, being eco-friendly can be a big priority. That's why it's important to plant the recycling seeds in children early so their love for the environment grows as they do. However, because students spend significant hours in the classroom, teachers must partner with parents to develop habits that are relevant at home as well as at school.

The United States generated more than 243 million tons of material waste in 2009, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. However, Americans recycled only 34 percent of that waste. Statistics such as these present ample opportunities for teachers and parents to implement recycling programs  through which young children can make real contributions to saving the planet.

Green ways to 'master' the bath

(ARA) - You can easily turn your master bathroom into a green retreat - without breaking the bank. By making smart, sustainable updates, you can transform your space into one that's both eco-friendly and stylish.

Save where - and what - you can

The ultimate green act when remodeling is to repurpose materials you already have, instead of buying new. Spruce up your existing vanity instead of purchasing a new one by refinishing cabinets and drawers with a fresh coat of stain or paint. If you have a glass shower door, try to save the existing structure and reinstall it once your new tile is in place. By using what's already in the space, you'll help the environment and your wallet, you'll save a lot of money and prevent those materials from winding up in landfills.

The most important type of "savings" in any eco-friendly makeover is reducing the amount of natural resources used. In order to make an impact, replace the standard elements in the space with sustainable ones: Switch incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFLs), replace your current toilet with a high-efficiency model and install new eco-performance fixtures in the shower and at the sink.

The new Method bathroom collection from Moen is a stylish, eco-friendly solution. Method lavatory faucets feature clean lines and soft curves and are certified to meet WaterSense criteria. That means the fixtures meet the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) guidelines as environmentally responsible and efficient by reducing water usage by up to 32 percent, without sacrificing performance. An Eco-Performance showerhead that flows at 1.75 gallons per minute - 30 percent less than the industry standard - is also available within the Method collection, allowing you to continue your water savings in the shower.

Take a cue from the outdoors

Before starting your green updates in the master bath, gather some inspiration from the most natural space there is - the great outdoors. Try a rustic-meets-modern style. Neutral colors are the perfect backdrop for graphic, contemporary linens and sleek accents. Look for tiles in shades of brown and taupe, and install them around the entire surround of your shower or tub for an airy and expansive feel.

What's more outdoorsy and natural-looking than rich wood floors? Sustainable wood flooring is just as affordable, more eco-friendly and even easier to install than most tile. If you can, run the flooring through the master bedroom right into the bath. Not only will it visually expand the bathroom, but it also creates the feeling of a unified master suite. Add to your inviting, luxurious space with statement linens - like bold, leaf-patterned towels made from organic cotton and all-natural bathmats. Sleek glass canisters and bamboo accessories are the perfect finishing touches.

With the right environmentally-conscious products, you can "master" a sustainable bath that will easily save you resources - and money. For more information on the latest eco-performance products from Moen, visit moen.com/eco-performance or call (800) BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636).

Spring greening tips for your home

(ARA) - As the weather warms, are you thinking about spring cleaning? Or, maybe you're planning to spruce up your home with some improvements and upgrades. This year, why not add "spring greening" to your home-freshening routine?

Making your home a "greener" place to live can improve its energy efficiency, reduce waste and make you feel more in harmony with the natural world springing to life around you. Green efforts can be as simple as switching out old incandescent light bulbs for more energy-efficient ones, or as energetic as adding skylights in the house or a vegetable garden in the backyard.

If you're looking for ways to make your home environment more earth-friendly this spring, here are some ideas to consider:

Powering down

No matter how eager you are for warm weather, you're probably not too excited about the electric bills that come with summer heat. Heating and cooling account for the largest portion of a home's energy bill. Fortunately, you can do a lot to reduce electric use - and waste - to trim costs and still keep your home comfortable.

If you're up for some minor improvement work that can pay off big in terms of energy savings, make your home feel more connected to nature, and add decorating flair, consider adding a skylight. The abundant natural light admitted to your home by skylights can help reduce the need to power artificial light sources. Plus, the natural chimney effect of venting skylights is a great way to passively vent moisture, fumes and potentially harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In spring and fall, when it's too warm for comfort, but not hot enough to justify turning on the air conditioning, venting skylights can let in cool breezes and lower cooling costs. And they can close automatically in case of rain. You can learn more about No Leak Skylights and their energy-efficient benefits at www.veluxusa.com.

You can also reduce energy costs in warmer months with some simple maintenance. During summer, when your cooling system works harder, be sure to change the air filter on your home's HVAC system every month. EnergyStar.gov also recommends a yearly tune-up of your system.

Greening up

Some of the most popular home improvements can be accomplished in ways that are environmentally friendly. For example, painting is a common spring spruce-up. Many paints, however, contain VOCs and give off fumes that can irritate allergies and asthma. You can make your redecorating more eco-conscious by opting for low-VOC paints. And always be sure to open plenty of windows before painting, even if you're using a low-VOC selection. The fresh air will help the paint dry faster and ensure that any unpleasant odors vent quickly.

Another common spring activity is lawn care. As warm weather approaches, many homeowners begin applying weed killer and fertilizer to their lawns in the hopes of having a lush, green carpet of grass come summer. Many lawn care products, however, can adversely affect the environment. If it's a priority for you to green your lawn - and not just to have green grass - it's possible to find plenty of eco-friendly lawn care products. Websites like www.OMRI.org, the home page of the Organic Materials Review Institute, can provide information on products that are environmentally friendly.

Finally, as you're undertaking your spring cleaning, keep in mind the need to reduce waste. When you clean out your garage or attic and purge closets, evaluate items before you toss them in the trash. You may find that many of the things you were going to throw away can be donated, sold or recycled - anything to get them out of your house without adding to the waste stream.