tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4329674285721006333.post-1904786950751607812007-12-31T11:50:00.000-08:002007-12-31T11:51:31.340-08:00Green remodeling can pay off — not only in lowered utility bills, but also in buyer appeal when the property is sold.<br /><br />Here are some green things to consider.<br /><br />Site selection. Prefer infill development instead of a new subdivision in a far-flung new suburb that gobbles wetlands and displaces animals.<br /><br />Energy-efficient products. Choose Energy Star appliances, double-paned windows, low-flush toilets, and compact fluorescent light bulbs.<br /><br />Spray foam insulation. Seal the home with insulation that doesn’t let the heat or cooled air leak out.<br /><br />Sustainable wood flooring. Select flooring certified by Forest Stewardship Council, which protects forests by managing the amount of wood harvested annually.<br /><br />Locally made products. Buy products made less than 250 miles away to reduce transportation costs. Granite, for instance, is generally imported from afar.<br /><br />Nontoxic paint. Use paint that is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — chemicals that evaporate into the atmosphere. Look for Green Seal certified brands.<br /><br />Source: St. Petersburg Times, Susan Thurston (12/28/07)Shawn Filerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00525364650058260141shawnfiler@cbbain.com