Expert Advice on Home Improvement

The Heat Seeker Infrared Thermometer from General Tools is perfect way to conduct a do-it-yourself inspection of your heating/cooling system for leaks in the ductwork, or a general home energy audit. To use, simply train the laser pointer on the object and read the remote temperature reading on the LCD screen. The Heat Seeker is available at The Home Depot. Watch this video.

These LED surface mounted accent lights are available in battery powered or wired versions, and are great for mounting under cabinets or for accent lighting. LED bulbs stay cool to the touch and use half of the electricity of regular bulbs. They’re easy to install and can last up to 20 years. LED Accent lights from Hampton Bay are available at The Home Depot stores. Watch this video.

Bitsy asks, “What can I do to relieve allergies and keep the dust and pollen out of my house?“

A good quality air filter on your HVAC heating/cooling system is the first line of defense against dust, dirt, and airborne allergens in your home. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

This eco-friendly home makes use of green landscaping techniques, including native plants, a permeable flagstone patio to allow it to absorb the runoff from the roof, and a water saving irrigation system. Watch the video to learn more. Watch this video.

The furnishings in this green home are made with eco-friendly materials. Rugs were selected that used vegetable dyes while the furniture has soy based cushions covered by natural fabrics. Watch the video to find out more. Watch this video.

Geothermal heat pumps use water from wells, making them much more efficient for both heating and cooling than standard air source heat pumps. Watch this video to find out how they can reduce the energy costs in your home. Watch this video.

Installing additional fiberglass insulation in your attic can really reduce energy bills. Watch this video to find out what you need to know in order to install it correctly. Watch this video.

Expanding foam insulation sprayed in wall cavities and attics has a higher insulation value and seals tighter than other forms of insulation. Watch this video to see how foam insulation can save energy in your home. Watch this video.

Excess moisture in the crawlspace under your home can make it a breeding ground for mold, rot, and termites. Watch this video to find out what you can do to prevent it. Watch this video.

Lead based paint was used in many homes built before 1978 and can cause a number of health problems. An inexpensive, do-it-yourself test can be preformed to find out if your house is contaminated. Watch this video to find out how. Watch this video.

Drinking water can become contaminated with lead from the solder that was used in the copper pipes in many older homes. Find out how to test your water and remove lead and other harmful chemicals by installing a water filter. Watch this video.

Radon is an invisible radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the environment and can seep up from the ground into your home. Exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Watch this video to see how to find out if your home is at risk for radon gas and what to do about it. Watch this video.

While there is disagreement about the danger posed by mold in the home, it has been known to cause allergic reactions in certain people, especially children. On the other hand, we all breathe in millions of mold spores every year with no real ill health effects. To be on the safe side, eliminate any leaks in kitchens and baths that can lead to mold growth and use vent fans to provide adequate ventilation. Watch this video.

Window film blocks up to 99% of UV rays and reflects solar heat to save energy and reduces fading of furniture and rugs. Window film is easy to install and available at home centers. Watch this video.

Sometimes going green is as simple as changing bad habits such as remembering to turn off the water when brushing your teeth, running only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine, and taking shorter showers. Watch this video.

Paper towels account for up to 3,000 tons of waste a day. Sponges are a more eco-friendly option for clean up, since one sponge is the equivalent of 17 rolls of paper towels. To kill the bacteria and mold that can grow on sponges, put a damp sponge in the microwave on high for two minutes. Watch this video.

Foam insulation made from soybeans is both energy efficient and eco-friendly since it doesn’t release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while drying. After spraying it on, the insulation expands to 100 times its size to fill every crack and crevice. This creates a seamless air barrier that can save from 30% - 50% on energy bills. Watch this video.

To bundle newspapers for recycling, place two pieces of 4’ long twine at right angles in a wagon, then put the stack of newspapers on top of it. Tie the ends of the twine together tightly before transporting it to the curb on the wagon. Watch this video.

A programmable thermostat saves energy by automatically raising and lowering the temperature of your home while you’re away. This can reduce your energy costs by up to $180 a year. Watch this video.

A dirty lint filter in your clothes dryer can cause it to use up to 30% more energy to dry your clothes and it’s a potential fire hazard as well. In addition to cleaning after every use, wash the screen in warm soapy water twice a year, and dry it completely before replacing it. Watch this video.

Compact Fluorescent light bulbs (or CFLs) cost a little more than regular bulbs, but they use only a fourth as much energy and last 10 times as long. They’re now available in shapes and sizes to fit most light fixtures. Watch this video.

Americans spend almost $16 billion a year for bottled water, much of which is simply reprocessed tap water. You can save money, have healthier drinking water, and help the environment by installing a drinking water filter in your home. Water filters are available that stand alone on your kitchen sink, attach to a faucet, or filter water in a pitcher. Watch this video.

It’s important to install a high quality air filter on the HVAC system in your home, since inexpensive fiberglass air filters only capture 10% to 15% of airborne particles. Look for filters that contain carbon, are electrostatically charged, or have a HEPA rating which can remove up to 99% of airborne pollutants. Watch this video.

Toilets typically waste more water than anything else in the house. To combat this problem, check to be sure your toilets are working properly, and repair toilets that leak. Replacing water guzzling toilets made before 1992 with newer models that use 1.6 gallons or less per flush, can cut the water they use in half. For even greater savings, consider a duel-flush toilet which uses less than one gallon per flush. Watch this video.

Over 500 billion disposable plastic shopping bags are used and discarded every year with less than 1% being recycled. Eliminate the need for disposable plastic bags by bringing reusable cloth bags with you to the store whenever you shop. Watch this video.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are harmful gases that can be emitted by some paints, solvents, cleaners, adhesives, furniture, and shelving. When using products that contain high levels of VOCs, open windows and turn on fans to provide plenty of fresh air. Better yet, purchase products labeled low or no VOC to reduce the level of volatile organic compounds in your home. Watch this video.

Up to 40% of the heat loss or gain in a home is due to leaks in the thermal envelope surrounding the living space. To save energy, make sure the attic has plenty of insulation, and fill any cracks or gaps around windows, doors, plumbing pipes, and HVAC lines. Installing foam gaskets behind switch and outlet covers is another good way to reduce air infiltration in your home. Watch this video.

To reduce the energy used in your home, look for the Energy Star label when buying appliances, heating and cooling systems, electronics, and lighting. In order to earn an Energy Star rating, products have to meet strict government standards for energy efficiency. If just 10% of homes in the U.S. switched to Energy Star appliances, it could reduce greenhouse gases the equivalent of planting 2 million acres of trees. Watch this video.

Cork is made from the bark of a type of oak tree that grows primarily in Europe. The bark can be harvested every 8-10 years without harming the tree, making it a very environmentally friendly product. Due to its soft nature, cork is easy on your feet, and since it doesn’t absorb or release dust, it can actually improve the air quality in your home. Watch this video.

The presence of mold in your home needs to be addressed as it can cause serious health problems, such as asthma and allergy attacks. However, many the harsh chemicals used to kill mold have health risks as well and require adequate ventilation when used. For a greener option, look for products that kill mold without using bleach, ammonia, or volatile organic compounds. Watch this video.

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. Watch this video.

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. Watch this video.

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. Watch this video.

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. Watch this video.

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. Watch this video.

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. Watch this video.

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. Watch this video.

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. Watch this video.

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. Watch this video.

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. Watch this video.

Even though the EPA banned the use of lead-based paints in 1978, there are still potential hazards of lead poisoning around your home that you should be aware of. Any older home has the possibility of containing lead paint. Watch this video.

Homeowners are always looking for easy, economical ways to reduce their monthly heating and cooling costs. If your home heats up in the summertime the solution may be as simple as a little shade. Rooms with windows that get direct sunlight will heat up quickly in warm weather putting a strain on your cooling system but there are some things you can do to help ease that load. Watch this video.

With energy costs constantly on the rise there are tons of gimmicks out there that say they will save you money. People always want to know what’s for real and what’s not. Watch this video.

Homeowners ask me all the time how they can control their monthly utility bills. Many have resigned themselves to paying high bills because they think that’s just the price you have to pay to be comfortable and that’s certainly a factor. Watch this video.