Expert Advice on Home Improvement TV Host of Emmy®-Nominated Today's Homeowner® and home expert for The Weather Channel

To make a composite deck look like new again, try cleaning it with a product specifically designed for composite decks like Corte-Clean. This eco-friendly product removes everything from mold and mildew to grease and barbecue stains, all without harmful chemicals or bleach. After mixing the concentrated liquid with warm water, spray it on and let it sit for 10 to 45 minutes. Scrub the surface if necessary then hose it off.

With the cost of energy on the rise, producing electricity from the sun is looking more promising than ever. But while sunlight is free, producing electricity from photovoltaic cells is still quite expensive, costing from $30,000 to $40,000 to convert an existing home to a solar powered one. Until solar cells become more affordable, there are other solar options worth considering, including solar landscape lighting and solar hot water heaters.

One way to reduce potentially harmful chemicals present in your home is to replace chemical cleaners with natural organic ones. Vinegar is one of the best natural cleaners. Simply fill a spray bottle with a solution of one part vinegar to one part water and use it to clean, deodorize, and disinfect many areas of your home.

More and more materials for countertops and floors are available that are both beautiful and environmentally friendly. One product called shetkaSTONE is made from recycled paper, plant, and cloth fibers. While it has the look of stone, it can be cut and screwed like wood. It is water and stain resistant and comes in a number of colors. Best of all shetkaSTONE can be recycled again if it is ever replaced.

While skylights are a great way to bring more natural light into your home, they can be hard to install, result in unwanted heat buildup, and are prone to leaking. ODL Tubular Skylights solve these problems by using a small diameter round lens on the roof to gather sunlight and shine it down a reflective metal tube to an diffuser mounted on the ceiling.

One of the first steps in creating a green home is finding innovative, environmentally friendly products to incorporate into the construction or remodeling process. Green products are those manufactured from nontoxic, sustainable, or recycled materials. They also include items that save energy or can be easily recycled. Here are a few green products worth considering for your home.

While composite decking is virtually maintenance free, it does require some cleaning from time to time. Corte-Clean is formulated specifically for composite decking. When combined with warm water, it breaks down mold, mildew, dirt, pollen and even barbecue stains. This cleaner works without bleach or other harmful chemicals that harm your lawn.

Finding room in the kitchen to store the various bins needed for recycling can take up a lot of valuable cabinet space. Here Danny comes up with an innovative solution to the problem by installing chutes made from standard 4” dryer vent pipe that send cans and plastic bottles to bins located on a lower floor of the home.

While most are familiar with architects and interior designers, there’s a new type of designer that’s becoming increasingly popular. Eco-sensitive designers help builders make decisions that increase the eco-friendliness of a home.

From high-tech gadgets to simple changes, Danny takes a look at some new ways to make your home green whether during new construction or a remodel. Automated irrigation systems, solar paneled roofs, and programmable thermostats are just a few of the green additions seen here.