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Published on: 4/19/2008
Last Visited: 4/19/2008
There's a lot of conflicting information about what's good for the environment and what's not -- and there are plenty of big claims, says Metropolitan Home Editor-in-Chief Donna Warner.
"People aren't aware because the information is not clear," Warner says."It's really important to get professional help; it may be expensive, but it can save you money in the long run."
In a special "green" issue of the magazine, Warner and industry experts, including two architects, a planner and an interior designer, weighed in on what's green and what's not:
*Make sure that the house is properly sealed to reduce energy use, but also ventilate it properly to avoid indoor air pollutants.
*Choose wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, Warner advises.
*For your flooring, select recycled tiles or wool carpeting.
*Remove your shoes at the door because toxins that get carried in with them can worsen indoor air quality.
*Put a high-efficiency toilet in your bathroom.Warner is fond of a new device called Aqus that recycles graywater from a single sink to a toilet up to 10 feet away.