Going Green?

In this final installment on "Going Green" we will discuss other methods to improve your home and the environment.

Pretty on the Inside

Using paints with low VOC's (volatile organic compounds) can reduce indoor pollutants. VOC's are typically emitted from materials such as paints, woods and carpets. These compounds vaporize at room temperature, contributing to pollution as well as causing adverse health effects. Paints labeled with Green Seal (http://www.greenseal.org/) have been tested and certified by this non-profit organization to be environmentally responsible.

Another way to lower VOC's in a home is by replacing synthetic carpets with rugs made with natural fibers. If a homeowner chooses to install hardwood floors instead of carpet, hardwood floors made with oriented-strand board (OSB) emit lower levels of formaldehyde compared with most woods. OSB is an engineered wood tht is formed by layers of wood flakes. It can be used for sheathing walls, floors, and roofs. OSB wood also uses almost all of the wood from the trees grown to produce it, thus reducing the number of trees harvested.

For the "dark-green" environmentalist, furniture made with hemp and organic materials is widely available; many companies also make furniture that meet the requirements of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (www.sfiprogram.org/).

Green on the Outside

One of the easiest and least costly ways to conserve water in a yard is by planting native vegetation. Native plants do not need herbicides, fertilizers, or pesticides to grow, nor do they require watering. Some homeowners are returning to earlier times by installing rain-catching systems, which capture and use water that would otherwise enter storm drains. Other ways to recycle this natural resource include creating downspouts that filter roof runoff water directly onto a lawn, or buying a rain barrel to capture water that can be used to water gardens. Grey water (wastewater generated from domestic processes such as bathing, dish washing, and laundry) can be captured with a collection system and used for irrigation.

New concrete is another consideration. Fly ash-based concrete has a longer lifespan than most concretes because it does not contain water. Fly ash is a by-product of coal-fired power plants that, typically, would end up in a landfill. Substituting it in concrete actually creates a stronger product. Fly ash is composed mostly of alumina, iron, and silica, whereas most concretes are made of gravel, sand, and water.

from "California Real Estate", published by the California Association of Realtors, written by Michelle D. Alderson