Easy Eco Blog » Indoor Air Quality

Eco Friendly or Green Kitchen Cabinets

easy eco blog — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:00:24 +0000

Here are some of the attributes we looked for when selecting eco friend kitchen cabinets earlier this year:

FSC certified Wood or wood from a responsibly farm source. I actually spoke to the wood mill to understand where our wood was coming from. Lyptus and Bamboo are rapidly making in roads.
Water based finish to minimize VOC emissions. There were issues on finish durability in the past, but quality seems to have improved.
Water based glues to minimize VOC emissions.
Marine grade plywood or non MDF Medium Density Fiberboard particle board cabinet box. Also to prevent off-gassing emissions from formaldehyde, etc. Interlam and Topan make MDF without formaldehyde.
As local as possible a supplier to minimize transport costs and fuel use.

We also relocated many of our old cabinets to our kitchen and donated everything else for use in a local church.

Some cabinets including mines are KCMA certified, but frankly their rules are not very aggressive in the area of eco friendliness. (Emissions etc) It is more of a cabinet industry association.

When we began our search in early 2007, we were educating stores on what green cabinetry was. The main sources used to be boutique local small craftsmen shops. Today, we see firms advertising ‘Green’ cabinets. HGTV has a video on this are.

Also considered cabinet refacing. You replace the doors and a veneer is placed over your existing cabinets. This is much cheaper than replacing the cabinets. New drawer pulls and handles will also update your kitchen’s look. You will reuse the ‘guts’ of your cabinets, so they need to be in good shape for this option. Some companies have options to also replace drawers.

Eco Friendly, Green Coconut Palm Wood

Coconut Palm wood is an eco friendly and green flooring alternative to bamboo. It is a by product of coconut production and has even received FSC certification.

Smith and Fong makes palmwood flooring and palmwood plywood. We have flooring from this company and find it top rate.

When installing flooring, try to avoid gluing it down if possible. If you need to use glue, use a low or no VOC glue.

Growing Bamboo

Wouldn’t it be interesting to have bamboo in your backyard? It is environmentally friendly, grows fast, and can make for a nice property line wall. You can also use it for other projects. I did some research that made me realize that it is more than most people can handle.

The problem is that bamboo spreads relentlessly, is almost indestructible, and its roots are like steel. People have to setup physical barriers like metal flashing to prevent its spread. I think I’ll stick to bamboo flooring..

Fireclay Tile – Recycled materials and Sustainable manufacturing

Fireclay Tile is a tile company that utilizes Recycled materials and Sustainable manufacturing to produce high-quality ceramic and glass tile. They are based in based in San Jose, CA and make most products in the USA.

They recycle everything from glass bottles to porcelain toilets, vanities, and bathtubs are recycled into beautiful ceramic tile. They use a lead-free glaze and proved that recycled does not mean you have to compromise on aesthetics.

Installing Granite Countertops

easy eco blog — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:00:21 +0000

Granite counter tops are desirable upgrades for many remodeling their kitchen. We investigated green, eco friendly alternatives like Icestone, Vetrazzo, Richlite, Paperstone but did not find any finishes to our liking. Also the price for the granite we liked was less that all these. We could buy granite and donate the extra money to charity or carbon offsets. We tried to buy granite that was from more responsible countries, so we excluded China, India, Iran. We tried to buy ‘local’ American but only a salt and pepper color was available.

We are installing granite countertops and I needed to find an alternative to the epoxy that they use to glue the granite to the plywood put on top of our kitchen cabinets. We were looking for Zero VOC or no VOC or low VOCs in adhesives and finishes.

I found Greenchoice Titebond Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive with a low 6.6g/L of VOC’s or volatile organic compounds. No oils to discolor items. At $3.19, it was not too costly. Alternates I found had up 47 g/L or more VOC’s. My installer wanted to use epoxy, which is a commonly used adhesive.

Another possible adhesive Liquid Nails for marble and granite has even more VOCs at 115 g/L!

Pro Spec B150 is the epoxy adhesive alternative. It does not have VOCs but does have BPA as an ingredient. So the trade off in using it is not clear cut. Accept some VOCs or go for no VOCs with some ingredients not being too healthy. At least the epoxy stays underneath and is not exposed.

Well we tried epoxy on a large section and after wards, the smell was so bad we had to leave the house for 6 hours. Be warned that that the fumes are overwhelming. Once past this initial phase, air quality is fine. Someday a water or soy based adhesive will be available.

Indoor air quality is an important part of being Green as it affects you directly.

Some possible alternatives to epoxy:

Geocel 3500 Tile Adhesive Sealant at 0.09 g/l VOC (May need to clamp it after installation for a couple days)

Make sure you seal your granite counter tops with a water based sealer like low voc Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold. (4% voc)

Alternative to granite countertops, Concrete countertops

American builders have recently welcomed making concrete countertops at their home sites, reducing costs, and creating a new green building technology. An average 50 square feet granite countertop costs around $2000, with a comparable concrete countertop costing around $1100.

Be sure to check out our post on Radioactive countertops

Also consider a recycled tile backsplash to add some color to your kitchen or bathroom. You can install this directly on the wall when mounted on a removable board.

MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheets – What ingredients are in a product?

easy eco blog — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:00:05 +0000

Do you wonder what is in that detergent or cleaning product? How green is it really? What do I do if it gets on my skin?

We have often cited Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS in our analysis of cleaning and construction products. What are they?

What is a MSDS

They are documents used to describe a products ingredients, what they are, are they hazardous, how to store them, toxicity, health affects, what should be done if there is an accident, regulatory issues, etc. Vendors have to undertake manufacturing, distribution, use and disposal of hazardous materials and chemicals to complete these documents. There are even MSDS docs for things like Mustard gas, VX Nerve gas!

OSHA and the EPA set up regulations that require MSDS documents on certain products.

Where can I find MSDS documents

Often vendors have links to MSDS documents on their website or require you to email them asking for them. This site has links to many MSDS docs. NIH has a database of Household Products.

When checking out the greeness of a product, be sure to look for its MSDS document and READ it.

Pollution and Wood Burning Fireplaces

easy eco blog — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:00:33 +0000

It was another Spare the air night in the San Francisco area, where it is illegal to burn wood, pellets, or manufactured fire logs. The Spare the Air winter season runs from November 1, 2011, through February 28, 2012.

An article showing how bad wood smoke pollutes during bad air days in the San Francisco Bay Area was surprising. Pretty shocking that 1/3 of fine particulate matter is from wood smoke.

How harmful is smoke from burning wood?

According to Sparetheair.org, “In the wintertime, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) becomes the pollutant with the greatest impact on air quality. Fine particulates can bypass the body’s natural defenses, penetrating deeply into the lungs and even passing into the bloodstream. Prolonged exposure to the fine particulates in wood smoke has been linked with aggravated asthma, lung and heart disease, and increased mortality rates.”

According to a UCSF professor of environmental science, wood smoke releases a lot of bad chemicals, chemicals not that far away from tobacco smoke and smoke from fossil fuel combustion engines. It is also harmful to your DNA. A Vancouver, Canada study found that children were 32% more likely to get ear infections in the areas polluted with wood smoke. Keep in mind that this is a neighborhood problem with the smoke you emit possibly hurting others located downwind of your area.

Wood burning fireplaces emit many times more pollutions than EPA-certified woodstoves or Pellet stoves. If you need to use one, try to improve your fireplace efficiency. Make sure that any fireplace you use has a good updrafts that doesn’t expose people sitting nearby. Also consider a HEPA air filter to clean the air inside your house.

Still want to start a fire?

Really into burning the fire? Consider Enviro-Log instead of wood for your fireplace. It is made from 100% recycled waxed cardboard boxes. No additional petroleum added. The ash can be used as fertilizer or potting soil.

If it is time to upgrade for the upcoming winter season, keep these figures in mind. You can be green and buy a more efficient stove or fireplace. Take advantage of the Federal Tax Rebate too.

EPA has information on Cleaner Burning Wood Stoves.

Bob Villa EdenPURE heaters

easy eco blog — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:00:39 +0000

Bob Villa money saving EdenPURE portable heaters are being advertised nationwide in newspapers and supplements again, with the headline “Bob Villa ranks new 2011 EdenPURE portable heater #1 in North America”, “Bob Vila’s #1 money saver for 2009″ “U.S. designed and engineered GEN 4 uses new Sylvania heat source and EdenFLOW(TM) direct air technology.” We decided to investigate.

Anytime we see a call to order within 10 days to get a $75 discount and free shipping, we have to wonder. Suarez Corporation makes the product and has an A- Better Business Bureau record but 254 complaints.

Bob Villa EdenPURE heaters facts

The EdenPURE heaters are made is China not the USA.

It’s extremely overpriced, and the advertising is misleading and incomplete. The ad does not state the wattage or BTU rating.They apparently don’t want potential buyers to comparison shop based on the wattage rating and price.

“Reduced heating bills.” This claim is not qualified at all. Naturally you assume these savings are versus a comparable electric heat (1500W). Simple math and physics will point out that if one is generating heat from electricity, you can not get above 100% efficiency. This claim is VERY misleading!

This forum thread has lots of information about the Bob Villa EdenPURE portable heater from mostly unsatisfied customers.

Per a forum posting:

“No electric heater uses up room oxygen, as can propane, natural gas, or kerosene heaters that draw their combustion air from the room. No electric heaters generate carbon monoxide, as can propane, natural gas, or kerosene heaters that are not vented with a chimney to the outside.”

Consumerreports.org analyzed the EdenPURE portable heaters and said that their Heating Claims Don’t Add Up

Alternatives to the EdenPURE heaters

A top rated Honeywell HZ-517 natural convection heater only costs $77. It has a tip over sensor, temperature display, and hot surface alert unlike other heaters.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency – Wood Stoves, Pellet Stoves, Fireplace Inserts

easy eco blog — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:00:53 +0000

A chill is in the air and temperatures are dropping fast. Wood stoves, Pellet Stoves, and Fireplace Inserts that heat specific rooms are popular and are aggressively marketed. Everybody want to save money, so here is a tax credit that helps make a new wood stove or pellet stove more affordable.

For 2011, the Federal Tax Credit for energy efficiency drops to 10%, up to a $500 maximum. (2011 Federal Tax Credit information for Biomass Stoves)

Oil and gas furnace and boiler incentives are capped at $150
Additional $50 for efficient furnace fans
Wood heating system, biomass stove incentive capped at $300
Oil furnaces, boilers, and gas boilers must be 95% efficient. (It was 90% in 2010)
Existing home and principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify.
Expires December 31, 2011 – Consult the What other rebates are available? below for other possible rebates.

The 2011 tax credit reverted to 2005-2008 levels. Anyone who previously took advantage of the program can not apply for incentives that exceed $500. IE If you claimed $500 between 2005 – 2008 on a previous energy efficiency project, or at least $500 tax credit from 2009 – 2010, you are ineligible for the 2011 energy efficiency tax credit.

If you used say $200 of the $500 energy efficiency tax credit from 2005 – 2008, and did not utilize the 2009 – 2010 energy efficiency tax credit, you would still have a $300 credit available.

Products qualifying for the Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency

Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit on Qualifying biomass fuel stoves or Wood Heat Stoves, Pellet Stoves, Fireplace Inserts. There is also a Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency on Water Heaters, Wood Heat Stoves, Pellet Stoves, Furnaces and Boilers, Geo-Thermal Heat Pumps, Windows, Doors, and Skylights.

What are Pellet Stoves?

Pellet stoves burn compressed sawdust and typically hold 24 hours worth of pellets. Look for easy to load and clean openings in Pellet stoves. These stoves are more efficient than wood burning models, but need power to run circulation fans.

In 2009, burning pellets costs about 15% less than oil, and 40% less than electrical heat, but 25% more than natural gas. Prices change yearly though.

The Government has a powerful renewable energy incentive designed to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and increase clean, efficient home heating with wood logs and pellet fuels. The stoves must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value. Vendors have labeled which of their products qualify. Regency Fireplace products has a list of products that qualify.

This credit reduces the amount of tax you owe. The credit is a reduction of total income tax at the bottom of your return. This tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit. Consult your tax adviser for details. Use it or lose it!

The US Government’s Energy Information Administration has a Heat Calculator Spreadsheet to help you compare alternative heating source like wood and pellet stoves.

What other rebates are available?

Double dip! Local utilities like PG&E have their own rebates for Energy Efficient Appliances. To find out if rebates or other incentives are available in your area, visit the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder.

Delta County, Colorado has a rebate. Other areas have change-out programs.

Be sure to place carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near the stoves to ensure safety.

Fall Energy Saving Tips and Fall Preparation

easy eco blog — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 07:00:53 +0000

Fall is here and a chill is in the air. It is time to get prepared for colder and wetter weather. Not only can we make our home more comfortable, we can save on our energy bill.

Conduct an energy assessment or energy audit
Get your heater or furnace serviced or upgraded. Replace air filters on heaters and air conditioners.
Setup your programmable thermostat
Check Your smoke detectors and change their batteries. Install carbon monoxide detectors if you don’t have any. They are now required in certain states.
Seal air leaks, add insulation, fix leaky air ducts. Also insulate any exposed outdoor plumbing
Clean your gutters and drain pipe
Tune your sprinkler system or install a Smart controller
Take advantage of the expiring Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency for heaters, windows, doors, solar, and more.
Cut back any tree branches or foliage that is in danger of falling
Check and fix your deck for leaks, cracks, and nails in need of repair
If you live in the North and have a lawn, it may be time to fertilize your lawn

Going green makes the cold season more bearable and easier on the wallet.

Eco Friendly Green Candles

easy eco blog — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 07:00:56 +0000

photo credit: steepways

Not trying to be a scrooge, but with lots of candles being lit for the holidays, our thoughts turned towards how eco friendly are their emissions are? Do candles worsen indoor air quality?

I found an interesting article on BNET (CNet’s business site). The author was threatened to attempt to squash the article. Some interesting excerpts:

“David Krause, an air quality engineer and former employee of the Florida Department of Health, says that the soot given off from the burning of paraffin candles is the same as that given off by burning diesel fuel. Some of the air contaminants in paraffin fumes include toluene, benzene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and naphthalene–substances found in paint, lacquer and varnish removers.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that benzene and toluene are probable human carcinogens.

The state of California, under its Proposition 65 Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, has identified at least seven major toxins in paraffin wax including the carcinogen benzene.”

The upshot was that one should look for cleaner burning candles made from beeswax or any other natural vegetable wax such as soybean instead of traditional petroleum based paraffin candles.

Other tips include keeping the wick trimmed and trying to go easy on scents.

What are VOCs? (Volatile Organic Compounds)

easy eco blog — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 07:00:32 +0000

We have mentioned choosing special cabinets, cleaners, paints, adhesives, etc to avoid toxic VOCs. (Volatile Organic Compounds) What exactly are VOCs?

What are VOC’s?

The US EPA defines VOCs as “Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.”

As you can see, VOCs are present in many products and are not healty. Health effects according to the EPA include: “Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.”

Did you know that gases can even leak from closed containers? VOCs have high enough vapor pressures under normal conditions to significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere.

Steps to reduce exposure include:

1) Increasing ventilation when using products containing them

2) Throw away partially used containers that are unneeded

3) Buy only enough to get the job done

4) Try to buy products that do not have VOCs or are low in VOCs.

5) Fix structural problems to avoid the need for pesticides.

6) Buy furniture that is not built with carcinogenic formaldehyde laced MDF or compressed wood. Interlam and Topan make MDF without formaldehyde. Formaldehyde was added to the National Toxicology Program’s carcinogenic list in 2011.

Be sure to read our article: Why are so few chemicals tested?

Carbon Monoxide Detector – Smoke Alarm

easy eco blog — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 07:00:13 +0000

Carbon monoxide detectors are required to be installed within California single-family homes by July 1, 2011. 35 states have similar laws.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a odorless and invisible but can poison you quickly. Homes needed to be guarded against this deadly gas. CO can leak from fuel burning appliances, wood stoves, cars, fireplaces, leaking chimneys, heaters, etc. Carbon monoxide poisoning is more common during the winter season, when heaters are in use. Carbon Monoxide detectors must be installed outside every bedroom, on every level, and in basements.

Carbon Monoxide alarms should not be placed in garages, kitchens, too close to fuel-burning appliances, or very humid rooms.

Carbon Monoxide detectors have gotten more advanced. New models like this Kidde unit have a digital display showing level of carbon monoxide the unit is sensing. Peak level memory displays the highest CO concentration measured since the last reset. This information is useful to rescue personnel treating victims. Advanced Carbon Monoxide detectors may have end-of-life warning alerts, digital displays, special lights for the hearing-impaired, or maybe interconnected throughout the whole house.

Smoke Alarms should have a combination of both ionization and photoelectric sensors. Ionization alarms alone are too easily triggered with steam from showers for smoke from a stove. These combo units do not cost much more. Nearly 3,000 people die in home fires. A working smoke alarm can help lower this number.

Smoke Detector Battery change schedule

Be sure to change the battery whenever daylight savings time rolls around. Use a fresh set of batteries when you change them out. There have been far too many fires where batteries in smoke detectors were dead. This is unnecessary and results in a tragic ending. Almost 20% of American homes have at least 1 smoke alarm that does not work.