Page 37 - Green Builder Homeowner's Handbook 2016

Exteriors / Roofing / Structure / Insulation / IAQ / Windows / Heating / Lighting / Appliances / Faucets & Fixtures / Finishes / Cabinets & Tops / Alternative Energy

Most commercial carpets are made from some variation of synthetic, Stove Sense
petroleum-based material. This material is often treated with other
chemicals to improve stain resistance, wear or color retention. To make Smoke from residential wood
matters worse, many carpets are installed over highly toxic rubberized heaters contains fine particle
pads. They may also be glued to the floor with pungent adhesives. That pollution (PM) and other
new carpet smell you recognize is not something you want in your pollutants such as carbon monoxide,
home. It’s a sign that your floor is releasing unknown chemicals into volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
your living space. A few of the larger carpet makers—notably Mohawk, and benzene. Fortunately, newer, EPA-
Interface and Shaw Industries (www.shawfloors.com) have begun to certified units burn much cleaner and
approach carpets from a more eco-friendly perspective—not only are far more efficient.
recycling old carpets, but offering less toxic installation systems and
products that have lower levels of offgassing. The EPA first set emissions standards for wood heaters in 1988.
In 2015, the EPA strengthened these standards. The new limit
PRODUCTS AND FURNISHINGS for particulates emissions for catalytic and non-catalytic wood
Bringing It Home heaters is 4.5 grams per hour (g/h). In five years, the limit will
Carpeting is not the only source of VOCs and other harmful chemi- drop to 2.5 g/h. The rule does not affect existing woodstoves.
cals. After your new home or remodel project is complete, make If you are thinking about replacing your old stove, here are a few
sure you don’t compromise indoor air quality with the products and points to consider:
furnishings you bring into the space. This goes from everything from ¦¦ You can expect to use up to one-third less firewood with a
furniture, which can contain flame retardants and formaldehyde, to
cleaning products. new EPA-certified wood stove compared to an older, less
efficient stove.
It may take a little research to ensure items are completely non- ¦¦ Newer, more efficient stoves burn cleaner, reducing
toxic. Some manufactures have made it easier by revealing their creosote buildup and the risk of chimney fires.
products’ “ingredients” with either in-house labels or by seeking ¦¦ Some regions host change-out programs and offer incentives
third-party certifications. Several organizations have developed stan- for swapping out your old stove for a certified unit.
dards that make it easier to specify and use low-emission products. ¦¦ Some new certified stoves exceed EPA standards and
These include UL Environment, which developed the GREENGUARD produce emissions in the 1 to 4 g/h range.
standard and which maintains a database of thousands of certified ¦¦ Pellet stoves, which utilize compressed pellets made from
products in 28 categories. wood or biomass for fuel, are among the cleanest-burning
stoves on the market.
CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEMS ¦¦ Gas and gas fireplace inserts, which do not require EPA
Dust Deniers certification, burn cleanly and produce few emissions.
The carpet industry suggests that the average American family Learn more at http://www2.epa.gov/burnwise
uses a vacuum cleaner at least once weekly, while about 10 percent
of us vacuum our homes once or more per day. But the typical The Homeowner’s Handbook 2016 GREEN BUILDER 35
upright household vacuum cleaner may not be the solution to
clearing the air in a home. These upright units are not created
equal. Most lack an effective HEPA filtering system—the only
reliable way to capture the fine particles that have been shown
to be harmful to human health. On the contrary, a vacuum with
a non-HEPA filter may simply toss tiny particles back into the air.
A whole-house vacuum solves this problem by actually taking
unwanted particles outside the living space—into a garage or
unfinished basement.

VISION HOUSE® AT MARIPOSA MEADOWS SPONSOR
LEE Industries Furniture

Made in the U.S., LEE Industries furniture is free of
flame retardants and is treated with very low-VOC
finishes. Cushions are made with naturalLEE foam; this
material contains 30 percent soybean oil, reducing the
amount of petroleum-based content. Back and throw
pillows are filled with 100 percent recycled fibers
made from clear and white plastic bottles.
www.leeindustries.com

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