dput's story links

Bamboo flooring is a great green eco-friendly product that is making its way into our homes.   But, what should you know before purchasing this renewable resource, and letting your kids, pets, and neighbors tromp on it.  This article gives you the tips!

Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is likely in the new cabinets you may be considering.  What can you do to make sure you don't purchase this known carcinogen when you purchase your new kitchen or bathroom cabinets.   There are many alternatives sources of eco-friendly/green cabinets, and this article gives a run down of the suppliers!!  Great quick read.

modwalls rounds out this list of eight manufacturers of recycled glass tiles for your kitchen or bath remodel.  Did you know that these products are made from your old windows, windshields and more? 

Considering solar power for your home during your residential remodel?  Financing solar panels is the big hurdle for most us.  Fortunately, the financing options for solar panels is becoming more obtainable.  Read about your options in this new article...

This week Electronic House announced a 2008 Product of the Year.  The winner this year is one of the most innovative audio products we have seen in a while.  This audio amplifier is designed to control six speaker zones in your home, AND whenever a zone is not being used the amplifier, unlike any other, shuts down power to the unused zones!

The Jack Johnson's and the Radioheads are not the only ones trying to make a difference.  Stereo equipment manufacturers are developing new technologies to drastically reduce power consumption of stereos, while you're playing 'Sleeping through the Static' and 'In Rainbows'.  Special circuits that reduce power and heat are now being included -- keeping $'s in your pocket, and helping our environment at the same time.

Energy Star qualified ventilation fans with lighting use 70% less energy on avg. than standard models, saving $120 in electricity costs over the life of the fan. They are also more than 50% quieter than standard models  But, which ones are the most efficient?  How do you purchase the right size?  See the Energy Star list broken down, and the most efficient models surfaced in this article.

Awnings are back, and they can be hip for a remodel or your new home.  Better yet, they can save you energy and that equates to a better environment.  This is a two article series on the benefits of awnings, and some of the unique styles that are now available!

 

How do you preserve your landscaping as you enter a remodel project?  The cost of replacing it, and the energy required to do so is not at all good.  There are many things you can do.  Here are 5 things, and a link to 10 others that are really practical and helpful...

Do you run your pool for the same duration in the winter as in the summer?  If you do, find out just how much more you are paying than those who don't in this article.  GetWithGreen.com reviews a product called TightWatt that cuts electricity usage automatically to your pool system based on seasonal changes!   This product is as hot as the Cyber-Rain product.

Marmoleum is one of the more popular eco-friendly flooring products out there.  Have you ever wanted to know more about it than what you find at your local retailer, such as how do you install it, or how difficult is it to install?  This is a great video from FOX 12 Oregon that details the installation in an Oregon home!!

What is the saying, "It's not the size, it's what you do with it that matters?" This article discusses the Sub-Zero company and their approach to making their monster products more environmentally friendly. Let's face it, they make really cool products, but can they do it efficiently?

What can you do to control weed growth in your newly planted lawn?  Corn gluten is an alternative weed prohibitor that does not harm our environment.  This article explains what corn gluten is, how it works, and how/when to apply it to your landscape vs. other more harmful weed killers.

Approximately one tire is discarded per person per year.  The EPA estimates that 290 million scrap tires were generated in 2003.  This article discusses an alternative use for those tires, and how you can turn them in a soft playground landing for our kids -- in your own backyard!!

This is a fun interactive map that shows all the residential solar installations in San Francisco. Take a look at the San Francisco Solar Map, and find out who is putting in solar, while getting a number of interesting solar facts at the same time!

Recycled glass is a great alternative to some harsher ceramic tiles.  This article discusses six different US suppliers of artisan glass tiles for your kitchen or bathroom.  Many of these manufacturers have incorporated greener practices into the making of the tile, simply around the office, and some donate all profits to great causes!

The catalogs are piling up.  The refinancing offers keep pouring in.  Trees are falling down daily.  There are easy ways to selectively stop all or some of your junk mail.  These ways are inexpensive for us, and the best for our environment.  Read about them in this article. 

Recycled glass, resin, cement. This article and video discusses a greener alternative to Granite, and shows how the alternative is made. Great insider perspective when you watch the video!

Before you buy any new boxes or throw out your old, there are alternatives to simply recycling (or heaven forbid the trash). Companies are sprouting up that offer greener alternatives to buying and disposing of your cardboard moving boxes - and places where you can buy used boxes and packing materials! This story gives you all the details.

If you are looking for, or ever wanted to know something about holiday LED lighting, this is THE ultimate resource for this year's Christmas and holiday season!  This list gives direct links to 60+ online retailers of lighting, and highlights 40+ articles and reasons to switch from your existing incandescent lights to LEDs.  There isn't another article like this on the web today.

Don't go Granite!  There are more sustainable options for you to consider for your countertop.  Concrete might be one, but you won't be too green if you have it shipped cross-country.  Well if you're located in the East, this is one manufacturer that you are going to want to check out!  

There are not many options when putting on a new flat roof on your home.  Traditional tar & gravel is one, but this new style roof looks interesting, and goes some distance to possibly reducing urban heat...

Pre-packaged solar solutions that can be installed on your roof by a contractor and electrician can save on installation!  This Silicon Valley start-up is making it simpler for homeowners and reducing the overall installation cost and time to put solar on our houses.

How do you pick out a more eco-friendly computer beyond say ENERGY STAR?  This article gives us a great overview of EPEAT which is another standard, and talks about the products on the growing list!

This is an excellent indepth article about this amazing next generation eco-friendly countertop material that appears poised to hit the market in a big way.  Possibly via retailers like Lowe's and Home Depot??  With the features is brings and the low cost point, this is going to be big.

This short post talks about a new line of eco-friendly linoleum products from a well established supplier.  The pallet was made for commercial use, but is also offered for residential use.

This article discusses the power consumption of TVs, and which one's consume the least amount.  It goes beyond ENERGY STAR, and give more insight into the products.

Now we are talking.  Looks like the first whole house audio system that is a bit greener has hit the market.  The product is Essentia, and this article talks about its greeness...

This is a quick litte read that discusses what Pella has done to reduce their waste output. Good stuff if you are considering new windows, and eco-friendliness is part of your decision making process.

This is breaking news about the new Kenmore high-efficiency washers, dryers, and dishwashers. The programs also donates funds to Roots & Shoots with each purchase.