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A Green Summer at Home

Add Value and Style With Sustainable Solutions

At the height of the summer home improvement season, green solutions remain the best investments for project success. "Choose sustainable, efficient products during this DIY season and you'll reap the benefits of energy savings, performance and style year-round," says Tom Kraeutler, home improvement expert and syndicated radio show host of The Money Pit.

Kraeutler and co-host Leslie Segrete suggest the following green solutions for summer projects.

High-efficiency AC
"It's been a super-hot summer so far, and that means we're all spending a lot on cooling our homes," says Kraeutler. "Installing an energy-efficient air conditioner can provide much-needed relief from rising utility bills and energy costs." The Trane XL20i is one of the best and most efficient air conditioning systems on the market, with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of up to 20.0 -- well above the minimum of 13 set by the Department of Energy. That means up to 60 percent less energy use for a typical household, and the Trane XL20i's built-in technology ensures proper airflow for a comfortable, dependable cool. You may also earn a valuable energy tax credit with your system purchase. Go to www.Trane.com to find a local Trane dealer.

Sustainable, stylish performance for the kitchen
"Saving water is really critical right now, and it's nice to be able to do that without sacrificing performance or style," notes Segrete. "Moen's Lindley Eco-Performance Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet is a great choice, offering a traditional look with the latest in water-saving design." The Lindley delivers 32 percent water savings with its standard 1.5 gpm flow, and the pull-down wand allows the user to switch between an aerated spray, standard stream and a 2.2 gpm fast-fill stream. The Lindley Eco-Performance Kitchen Faucet is available in LifeShine Classic Stainless and Mediterranean Bronze finishes at The Home Depot. For more details, visit www.Moen.com.

VOC-free care for hardwood floors
"A lot of cleaning products have suddenly been 'going green' lately, but Trewax Hardwood Floor Cleaner has been green since it hit the market 75 years ago," says Kraeutler. Trewax is an all-natural, safe, VOC-free cleaner for natural hardwood and laminate floors, and also works on cabinets and furniture. Biodegradable, non-toxic and free of petroleum distillates, Trewax can be found at hardware stores and home improvement retailers nationwide. Details at www.trewax.com.

A greener roofscape
"The roof takes more of a beating than just about any other part of your home, so being green means choosing a roofing product that's both sustainable and long-lasting," advises Segrete. DaVinci Roofscapes offers such roofing solutions, with synthetic tiles made from 100 percent virgin resins. DaVinci roof tiles come in a variety of slate and shake styles and withstand all types of severe weather, are fire-resistant and completely recyclable. Plus, selecting DaVinci synthetic tiles saves trees and cuts the carbon footprint left by the labor and fuel used to harvest natural slate. DaVinci roof tiles are available nationwide; visit www.DaVinciRoofscapes.com for more information.