Home & Garden Remodeling Products: June 2008 Archives

Homebuyers today are increasingly concerned about the indoor air quality of their homes.

Issues like mold, radon, carbon monoxide, and toxic chemicals have received greater attention than ever as poor indoor air quality has been linked to a host of health problems.

To address these concerns, builders can employ a variety of construction practices and technologies to decrease the risk of poor indoor air quality in their new homes.

EPA created the Indoor Air Package to help builders meet the growing consumer preference for homes with improved indoor air quality and energy efficiency. By constructing homes that meet EPA's stringent specifications, forward-thinking builders can distinguish themselves by offering homes that have earned this designation.

EPA's Indoor Air Package specifications were developed based on best available science and information about risks associated with indoor air quality problems, and balanced with practical issues of cost, builder production process compatibility, and enforceability. The initial specifications were piloted in several cities and revised based on input from the field.

Energy Star Builders Offer the Indoor Air Package

The Indoor Air Package is now available for all interested ENERGY STAR Partners. The current Indoor Air Package specifications (330K), dated April 19, 2007, supersede all previous versions of the specification. ENERGY STAR qualified homes that comply with these specifications and are verified with a completed Indoor Air Package Verification Checklist can earn the Indoor Air Package label.

Find more details about these retrofit suggestions at USGBC Checklist for Green Retrofits:

Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs

Program your thermostat

Plug air leaks

Tune up your heating and cooling (HVAC) system

Choose ENERGY STAR® appliances

Reduce water use

Switch to green power

Explore solar

Use low-VOC products

Plant trees to provide shade and wind protection for your house

Use native plantings

Go Green Radio Debuts this Friday, June 27th!

Don't miss the debut of Go Green Radio this Friday, June 27th, 2008 at 9:00 am PDT/12:00 pm EDT.

You can tune in to our Internet radio show by going to www.voiceamerica.com. Once there, choose Voice America under the "Network" option at the top and at 9 am you will hear our radio program live feed.

In this week's episode we'll be talking with three parents who are "Going Green" on behalf of children. These child advocates are working to protect children, and preserve natural resources for future generations.

Jill Buck, the host of Go Green Radio, wrote the "Go Green Initiative" on her kitchen table in 2002. It is now the largest environmental education program in the world.

Scott McGinnis is an actor/director living in Hollywood. He is also a proud father. His current project - Global Broadcast for Kids (www.globalbroadcast4kids.com) helps kids learn about going green through his team of junior journalists.

Stefani Newman started teensygreen (www.teensygreen.com) in July of 2007 while living in Panama. With teensygreen, Stefani hopes to help modern, like-minded parents make economical, educational, and safe eco-choices for their families without feeling the need to turn their homes upside down!

If you aren't able to tune in this Friday, no worries, you can go online and download the podcast of the show. You are also able to sign-up and have a podcast of the weekly show sent to you automatically.

PODCAST: www.voiceamerica.com