Paints have traditionally had some amount of volatile organic compounds present in them. Today's paints often have low amounts of the gasses that hurt a home's indoor air quality. A new product introduced at the show contains no VOCs at all.
The Freshaire Choice line of paints is being offered at Home Depot stores. It claims to have no VOCs in the base or the tint, and the paint comes in recycled packaging.
Generally, there has been an increasing awareness that poor indoor air quality can affect a family's health, said Deborah Jones Barrow, founder of TheDailyGreen.com, a Web site that offers suggestions for green living. "There is a lot of emphasis on increasing the health of the home environment," she said.
4. Smart thermostat applications
Programmable thermostats are often touted as a way to keep energy costs down. The only problem is, consumers use them incorrectly. But online computer programs - such as a new system from In2 Networks that works with Honeywell thermostats - allow consumers to monitor heating and cooling consumption and control settings from their computers. The system can show homeowners the difference a couple of degrees could make, both in terms of dollars and the home's carbon footprint.
5. Low-flow faucets and showerheads
Low-flow faucets and showerheads may not be a new concept, but the latest versions perform a lot better than their older counterparts. As a result, homeowners who didn't want to sacrifice their hand washing or shower experiences for water conservation are giving these products a second look.
Delta, for example, has a Water-Efficient Showerhead with H20kinetic Technology, a product that creates larger water droplets and provides a more drenching spray, said Betty Hughes, a spokeswoman for the company.
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