HomeStyle Special Section

Beacon Communications | September 2011

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The lowdown on light bulbs An audit that saves you money Energy projects, big and small Luxury furnishings:

The home

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energy issue

Worth the splurge

HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011 •

Courtesy of Emerson Midway Eco Fan

Heat Off

Forget the A/C: Ceiling fans keep temperatures steady for less

By AFI-ODELIA E. SCRUGGS | CTW Features

A

t one time, the ceiling fan seemed headed the way of miniskirts and gogo boots. But when the energy crises of the ’70s arrived, complete with blackouts and long gas lines, the mousy brown wallflower of its time got renewed respect.

Now, ceiling fans are a stylish mainstay of homes and businesses and are more energyefficient and quieter than before, says Colleen McCracken, a spokeswoman for Lumens, the lighting products company.

“Advancing technologies are making fans consume less power and run smarter, on top of the fact that fans are already more energyefficient than air conditioning,” McCracken says.

Rules for the rotor

In the summer, the blades should turn counterclockwise to push air downward and force cool air to the edges of a room. (Reverse the direction in the winter to redistribute warm air.) Following these rules can make a fan a useful supplement to an air conditioner. The California Energy Commission estimates that a ceiling fan can make a room feel four degrees cooler.

“That means if you’re using air conditioning along with your fan, you can set the thermostat at a higher than normal setting to save on energy,” according to the organization.

The fan doesn’t actually decrease the over-

all temperature of a room, it simply cools off the occupants like a cool breeze. Because heat from the motor can make a room hotter, it’s best to turn off fans when a room or building is empty.

Hot or not?

To find the most energy-efficient ceiling fans, look for the Energy Star rating. These fans have met efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and are up to 50 percent more efficient that conventional fans. Lists of qualified products are listed at www.energystar.gov.

Although the Energy Star site doesn’t say which fan is the most energy-efficient, Hansen Wholesale does. The retailer recommends Emerson’s Eco fans with direct current motors. Fans with direct current motors are smaller, lighter and more powerful than fans that run on alternating current. Based on Energy Star ratings, Eco fans are three to four times more efficient than their competitors.

Keep it clean

Any fan needs proper installation and maintenance. The fan should be anchored to a ceiling joist. If that’s not possible, use a ceiling fan mounting bracket. Dust the fan regularly and clean the blades with a damp cloth. Never use water or liquid on the fan motor. © CTW Features

3 • HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011

Take the

HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011 •

6

steps

to an energyefficient house

“Most people have a lot of voids in their insulation,” Carr says. “These are the areas where air is leaking in and out of the building. You spend a lot of money to condition the air inside. You’re wasting that money when the air is just leaking to the outside.”

Green isn’t always glamorous: Take time to plug up holes, patch up leaks and pay less money to the power company

2

Ductwork: Folks might not like spending time in the attic, but many homes consume more energy than they have to because ducts traveling through the attic (and the basement) are leaking hot and cool air.

Rogers says 25 to 30 percent of the air moving through ducts actually leaks.

Homeowners can remedy this problem this by regularly inspecting air ducts for leaks or loose joints, then repairing these weak spots.

Avoid duct tape, however. Instead, Rogers says to rely on a compound known as “mastic,” a goopy paste found at hardware stores.

By smearing this paste around joints and leaky ducts, homeowners will take a big step toward lowering energy bills.

By DAN RAFTER | CTW Features Mike Rogers sees it all too often: Homeowners want to reduce their high energy bills, so they immediately order new windows.

This is the wrong approach, says Rogers, vice president of Irvine, Calif.-based GreenHomes America, which conducts energy audits for homeowners. New windows actually do little to lower home energy bills. Homeowners who want to create a truly energy-efficient residence should instead look toward their attics, ductwork and crawlspaces, the areas where hot and cool air is usually lost.

“It’s not sexy, but if you can keep forced air, whether you’re cooling your home or heating it, from escaping through your attic or ductwork, you’ll have a tremendous impact on the amount of energy your home consumes,” Rogers says.

Lowering energy bills isn’t always about investing in the latest technology or the trendiest green home products. Owners can often make the biggest impact with a less glamorous approach.

Here are six decidedly low-tech ways to transform your home into a model of energy efficiency.

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1

Insulation: There’s nothing glamorous about insulation; just ask anyone who’s struggled to install the fluffy, pink stuff in their crawlspaces. But homes that are not well-insulated will lose heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. This results in air-conditioning units and furnaces that work too hard, consuming too

3 Insulate yourself from high air conditioning costs by double-checking that every nook and cranny, including attics and crawlspaces, is blanketed in insulation. much energy as they do so. That’s why Scott Carr, division manager with Standard Energy Solutions, a division of Rockville, Md.-based Standard Solar, recommends that homeown-

ers make sure their entire house is properly insulated either with the help of a professional or on their own. This includes the attic and crawlspaces.

Efficient appliances: The right appliance, whether it's a dishwasher, refrigerator or hot water heater, can make a dramatic impact on home energy bills. Always look for the Energy Star label when buying a new home appliance.

The Energy Star seal of approval indicates a product is considered energy-efficient by the federal government.

Bruce Harley, technical director of Conservation Services Group, which helps homeowners reduce their energy bills, says consumers should purchase appliances with the best energy efficiency ratings they can afford. The payback for the extra amount of money homeowners spend will come quickly as their energy bills shrink, says Harley, whose firm is based in Westborough, Mass.

Harley also recommends homeowners avoid waiting until their furnace, refrigerator or hot water heater breaks before buying a replacement: That often results in a panic buy. Instead, homeowners should schedule regular heating and cooling checkups by

5 • HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011

HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) technicians. When these checkups determine a machine is no longer operating efficiently or is nearing the end of its lifecycle, start shopping around for a replacement.

“If your furnace breaks the day before Thanksgiving, something that seems to happen a lot,” Harley says, “you’ll usually end up with whatever the service person has in the back of his truck, and that might not be the most efficient appliance.”

4

Keep costs contained: Holes in your ductwork, insulation or building envelope make it easy for conditioned air to escape. Patch them up to save on heating and cooling. percent less energy than do standard incandescent bulbs. They also last up to 10 times longer. And these bulbs aren’t hot; Energy Star officials estimate CFLs produce about 75 percent less heat than standard bulbs do, which can ease cooling costs.

6

Home energy audit: No one likes to get audited by the IRS. But an audit from an energy consultant? That can actually save you money.

Carr’s company specializes in energy audits of residential homes. Company employees inspect the home both inside and outside, looking for everything from leaky air ducts to missing insulation to furnaces long past their prime.

The goal is to tell homeowners exactly what steps they can take to boost their home’s energy efficiency

This one’s a no-brainer: The federal government’s Energy Star ratings indicate the most efficient appliances, so homeowners need only decide on style and cost level.

and lower their energy bills.

Such an audit can turn up surprising news.

“Homeowners might realize that a room in their home never seems to get cold in the summer or hot in the winter,” Carr says.

“But they won’t know it’s because their ductwork has been damaged or because there’s a hole they didn’t know about in the attic.

An energy audit can find these problems for homeowners and tell them how to fix them.” © CTW Features

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5

Light fixtures: Lighting can also play a major role in reducing a home’s energy bills. Carr recommends homeowners install energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs, better known as CFLs, throughout their residences.

A CFL bulb can save more than $40 in electricity costs over its lifetime, according to Energy Star, and each bulb uses about 75

iStockphoto

Exterior envelope: Homeowners might be surprised at the number of small holes in their attics that let the air inside a home leak outside. These faults in a home’s exterior envelope can suck the energy efficiency right out.

“We’ve seen openings in people’s attics where you can stick your arm through or even crawl right through them,” Harley says.

The challenge is that many homeowners don’t visit their attics unless they have to.

That’s not surprising since most attics, as Harley says, are “nasty places.” But homeowners truly worried about energy bills should either tour their attics themselves or hire a contractor to find and patch the holes in it.

Want to ease your environmental impact?

There’s an app for that

L

ooking for a handy app to give you lighting advice on the go? Light Bulb Finder by Eco Hatchery (free for iPhone or Android) lets individuals find the perfect environmentally friendly bulb for your usage and region.

Start by inputting a ZIP code to generate the average kilowatt hour cost of electricity in that city; adjust that cost as necessary. Then asks users to input various criteria, such as the type of lighting fixture being used, bulb style, wattage being replaced and number hours the bulb will be used.

Light Bulb Finder then generates a list of recommendations for bulb type with a summary of the savings that will result. Users can then buy bulbs directly through the app or save recommendations for shopping later at local retailers.

The app uses information from the Environmental Defense Fund, the Green Education Foundation, TreeHugger, eBay Green and others.

Light bulb choices will become even more important by 2012, the year that bulb manufacturers have to meet certain efficiency requirements and discontinue inefficient products. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient than they are now. Other countries are following suit.

Watch a video about Light Bulb Finder for Android phones and iPhones or download the app at www.lightbulbfinder.net. © CTW Features

Courtesy of Eco Hatchery

HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011 •

An Illuminating eco-app

The Light Bulb Finder application for iPhone and Android can help you choose the right bulb for your needs and location whether you’re at home or on the go.

7 • HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011

HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011 •

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Home energy audits, both DIY and professional, can help homeowners improve their energy efficiency

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Check it out

By JEFF SCHNAUFER | CTW Features

A

manda Lowenberger found an unexpected surprise during a recent home energy audit: a 6-inch hole in the corner of a second-floor closet.

“It led directly into the attic, meaning all the warm air from our house was escaping into the attic during the winter,” Lowenberger says. “The hole was really hard to see. It was right above the doorframe, so I never would have caught it myself.”

Lowenberger knows plenty about energy efficiency. She makes her living as a research associate for American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy, a Washington, D.C.based nonprofit program. The council assesses the effectiveness of different types of energy audits. These audits help to identify and prioritize specific areas for efficiency improvement in homes, which can reduce energy bills.

Start with a DIY audit

“A do-it-yourself home energy audit is a good place to start to make more obvious improvements in your home’s efficiency,” Lowenberger says.

There are several DIY home energy audits available for free online (energysavers.gov). It’s the equivalent of dipping your toes in the water if you’re not ready to commit to or pay for a full professional audit.

“The problem with DIY audits is the homeowner is very unlikely to know everything to look for,” says Brian Castelli, spokesman for the Alliance To Save Energy in Washington, D.C. “The difference is that a professional

auditor has all the tools to know where to look.”

Professional home energy audits may include the following: blower door test, thermal scan, safety checks for gas leaks, an assessment of insulation levels and heating and air conditioning equipment efficiency, lighting and appliance efficiency, and a post-audit report detailing the results and opportunities for efficiency improvements.

“We would recommend a blower door test and thermal scan for all homes undergoing an energy audit,” Lowenberger says.

In a blower door test, auditors attach a big fan to one door of the house. The fan sucks air out of the house, and outside air flows in through any openings, cracks, holes, etc., in the envelope. This makes it easy for the auditor to see where the air is leaking.

“A thermal scan is an infrared camera that can see what’s going on inside walls, around the edges of windows, etc.,” Lowenberger says. “Anywhere you see a really cold spot or really warm spot in the summer is a place that either has bad insulation or has an air leak.”

Homeowners can help make the audit go as smoothly as possible.

“Get copies of monthly energy costs for the prior year,” Castelli says. “List problems like drafty rooms and moisture problems.

That’ll help the auditor look for things. The auditor is going to want to know who is in the house, thermostat settings, who uses what rooms. They should accompany the auditor all around the house.”

Audits to avoid

Experts suggest avoiding “free” audits by companies pushing window siding or other specific products or “clipboard” audits with no testing. A professional home energy audit is worth the investment.

“Stay away from product-based audits,” says Larry Zarker, CEO of the Malta, N.Y.based Building Performance Institute, which

© CTW Features

Energy expertise, perks and rebates • DSIRE, the Database of State Incentives For Renewables and Efficiency features a website (www.DSIRE.org) that acts as a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

• The U.S. Department of Energy offers a Weatherization Assistance Program, free of charge to low-income families, which

provides cost-effective energy efficiency measures for existing residential and multifamily homes. Visit www1.eere.energy. gov/wip/weatherization.html.

• Americans who buy energy-efficient appliances may be eligible to receive rebates under the Energy Star program, which has already doled out more than 1.4 million consumer rebates valued at $207 million. Visit energysavers.gov/financial/70020.html.

9 • HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011

?

Energy doubts

certifies individuals in building analysis.

“They’ll say, ‘Yeah, I can do a free audit as long as you buy my product.’ ” Castelli recommends finding a qualified home energy auditor: “Check them out through the Better Business Bureau. Always see what kind of certification they have. A homeowner can also go to their utility and see who they refer.”

Once the audit is done, the recommendations begin. Sealing up drafts around windows, doors, through electrical outlets and other holes can save between 5 to 30 percent a year on your utility bill. Replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents can drop lighting costs significantly. Replacing old appliances, furnaces and air conditioning units with newer, more energy-efficient devices can save even more.

“The auditor may make recommendations to go out and get new equipment or tune up an old one,” Castelli says. “If your central air conditioner is a 7 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) and you go out and get a 13 SEER, you can have a serious reduction in your air-conditioning costs.”

The advantages of a home energy audit goes beyond the savings, Castelli points out.

“By eliminating drafts and cold spots, you become very comfortable in your home,” Castelli says. “It’s just so nice to sit on your couch and not have to wrap a blanket around yourself because of the drafts.”

products and steady prices have made it more and more tempting to invest in luxury kitchen, bath and entertainment options

igh style

La dolce vita: The kitchen can be the most expensive room in a house, which makes it worth dressing up a bit. Here, a Japanese print tile backsplash and chandeliers add finishing touches to a luxurious kitchen design.

By DAWN KLINGENSMITH | CTW Features Lew Bednarczuk, whose job is to stay on top of what’s going on in luxury home design, recently talked about the merits of owning a “double-wide” vs. a “single-wide.”

Is the economy so bad that the president and CEO of HomePortfolio.com, an online directory of high-end home design products, has put some serious thought into trailer home widths?

Far from it.

Bednarczuk was talking about single-wide or double-wide indoor kitchen grills built

Chef’s kitchen

into the range top.

Despite the recession, “higher-end appliances are kind of becoming the norm,” Bednarczuk says. In fact, professional-grade kitchen appliances are starting to look like a good buy.

“Prices on this stuff have not gone up much over the years,” he says. “I think that’s the reason people are switching over.”

For folks who can’t afford or justify professional grade brands like Sub-Zero and Viking, midrange manufacturers like Jenn-Air have come out with luxury lines, Bednarczuk says.

“They are entering this arena because they

Courtesy of Elaine Williamson Designs

HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011 • 1

recession? ➛ WhatHigh-quality

costs as much as $7,000, and then settle for a Mr. Steam.

Setting aside style and prestige, are luxury items worth the extra cost? Below, we walk through three rooms where many people can't resist the splurge.

see a demand and an opportunity,” he says.

This enables middle-class consumers to get the look of a designer kitchen without the designer labels. If they are opting to do so despite the economy, perhaps that’s because interior design shows and magazines have a way of making luxuries – which are expensive and inessential by definition – seem like necessities, entitlements or good investments.

Wherever it snows every winter, it’s easy to persuade people a bathroom towel warmer is a “must have.” And when shopping around, it’s hard to look at a Wesaunard hydronic warmer custom-made in Great Britain, which

There is, in fact, a big difference between an economy brand and Sub-Zero refrigerator, said certified kitchen designer Peggy Deras of Kitchen Artworks in South San Francisco, Calif.

Separate compressors for the freezer and fridge compartments keep food fresher. With no air exchange between the two compartments, temperatures and humidity levels remain constant so lettuce won’t go limp, frozen bagels won’t get freezer-burned and “you won’t get odors migrating from fridge to freezer,” Deras says.

The interior finishes in pro-grade fridges tend to be more durable, too.

“The only sacrifice is there’s no ice and water through the door,” Deras says, “but if you can afford a Sub-Zero, then you can afford a dedicated icemaker.”

However, if you are comparing top-of-theline non-designer brands like KitchenAid or GE with the designer lines, the appliances start to look and act more alike. In this case, “Honestly, there’s probably not that big of a difference with performance and durability,” says New York-based real estate broker Linie Chang Rand, a branch manager with Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty.

A so-called “chef kitchen” with professional-grade appliances costs at least twice as much, and though such kitchens are highly marketable and desirable, it’s unlikely those costs will be recouped at resale, Rand says.

One luxury kitchen item Bednarczuk says everybody should have is a built-in, one-button brewing system such as the $3,000 offering from Miele that connects directly to the plumbing and dispenses coffee and espresso drinks on demand.

He also likes combined steam and convection ovens like Gaggenau’s, which costs around $7,000, because the cooking technology locks in nutrients for healthier eating.

“Induction burners are also pretty unique in that they heat the pot and its contents instead of the coil,” Bednarczuk says. “The cooktop doesn’t get hot, so there’s a safety benefit, and it brings things to a boil really fast.”

For the budget-conscious, “There are standalone countertop versions that plug in for as cheap as $100 if you’re not redoing the whole kitchen but like that technology,” Bednarczuk says.

If money is no object and an appliance’s provenance is of interest, a Chateau La Cornue oven range might be just the thing. They are all assembled by hand by one man in France, and “even if you happen to be the Queen of

Courtesy of Miele

Bathing in style

Courtesy of Kohler

Above-average joe: For serious coffee lovers, Miele’s coffee system offers a plumbed-in water connection, whole-bean grinding, milk frothing system and warming tray.

Fill ’er up: Kohler’s laminar wall- or ceiling-mounted bath filler produces an elegant, clear stream of water to fill a tub.

England, you will have to wait at least two months” to get one, according to the company’s website. Each costs around $50,000.

Ironically, “They look best in a log home in the mountains,” said interior designer Haleh Alemzadeh Niroo, principal of Haleh Design Inc., Potomac, Md. Deras says, “My favorite product for clients who can afford to splurge and want an incredibly beautiful focal point in their kitchen is an Abbaka range hood” handcrafted out of copper, stainless steel, aged bronze or brass. She adds, “I always warn people not even to look at one if they’re not prepared to pay the steep price because they’ll never be satisfied with anything less.”

Sometimes, utilitarian items from commercial spaces cross over as luxury amenities for home interiors. For example, for faucet controls, “I am currently using hands-free foot pedals in all my kitchen reno-

Moving on to the bathroom, “Full-service toilets are becoming popular,” Bednarczuk says, including TOTO’s Neorest with a remote control automatic lid, an adjustable sprayer with “precision positioning” for personal cleansing and an integrated warm-air dryer. At a cost of nearly $2,000, “It’s the carwash of toilets,” he says, jokingly.

For folks who enjoy long, luxurious soaks in the tub, there are models like BainUltra’s that offer heated headrests, programmable massage and color, aroma and sound therapies.

One of the latest advances in tub technology is the ceiling-mounted filler, which shoots a stream of water into the tub that looks almost as solid as it is straight, like a pole.

“They look extremely impressive,” Williamson says. “However, if mounted too high, the temperature fails to impress by the time the water reaches the basin.”

Niroo recommends knob-and-basin sets from Sherle Wagner with hand-painted floral and fruit patterns.

“They’re the most beautiful sinks you’ve ever seen,” Niroo says. “The faucets, too.

The craftsmanship, the design, is amazing. It

almost looks too beautiful to be used.”

Media room marvels

The media room is another space besides the kitchen where the cost of luxury has stayed steady or come down over the years.

Nowadays, “you can put in a home theater with a 200-inch screen for not a lot of money,” Bednarczuk says. “Five thousand dollars will get you the screen and projector, and it’s an extra couple of thousand for theater seating.”

For traditional homes, Niroo favors American-made Habersham furnishings, particularly media cabinets, which combine Old World stateliness with today’s technology.

“They make fabulous entertainment units with remote controls, so you can lower a beautiful mural over the TV,” she says. There’s ample hidden storage for CDs, DVDs, and game consoles and accessories.

Although the Internet is largely responsible for bringing luxury home products to the average consumer’s attention, Niroo advises against ordering such items online even at a discount. “Buy from a reputable local vendor just in case problems arise. If you’re going to spend $50,000 on kitchen appliances, it pays to spend a little more for personalized customer service and peace of mind.” © CTW Features

11 • HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011

vations, typically found only in hospitals and restaurants but proves to be an eco-friendly convenience,” says Elaine Williamson of Elaine Williamson Designs in Dallas.

It’s a dirty business, but someone’s got to explain it. The latest toilets use less water, boost efficiency and so much more

“People hate having a toilet that doesn’t work, and unfortunately the perception is that water-saving toilets don’t do the job,” says Marlene Buckner, principal designer with The Urban Realm, Inc. (theurbanrealm.com). “The technology has changed tremendously so that very little water is being used in combination with enhanced features to remove waste in an effective way.”

Before taking the plunge on a new, water-efficient toilet, consider these insights:

Make sense of WaterSense

Watch out for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense label, which must be earned through thirdparty testing and meet the EPA’s rigorous criteria for flushing and performance.

Moreover, WaterSense toilets must exceed national plumbing performance standards and maintain 1.28 gallons as their maximum flush volume. Plus, the EPA says these toilets can be cheaper than other, less efficient models with cost savings on water bills and potential rebate options.

View a list of specific models that have met the WaterSense standard at www.epa. gov/watersense.

“There are also some really cool tools that help you estimate the water savings you are likely to achieve by replacing your toilet,” says Trish Holder, Owner of Greenspiration Home (greenspirationhome.com).

With Kohler’s Numi touch-screen toilet control dashboard, going to the bathroom is an experience, from heat and music to dual flush options and a built-in bidet.

Courtesy of Kohler

HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011 • 1

low fLow

Go with the

By CATHY CASSATA | CTW Features

F

orget about those early water-saving toilets that left users flushing and plunging and flushing yet again. Toilet makers are delivering more efficient toilets than ever that really do get rid of waste with less water.

To dual flush or not to

Homeowners wondering about the benefits of a dual flush toilet should know one thing: The difference is largely one of perception, style and preference.

“Dual flush toilets incorporate a dual button or handle mechanism that lets you select a higher volume flush for solids and a lower volume flush for liquid,” Holder says. “But don’t be surprised if you find that the lower volume flush is all you need for solids as well.”

Pam Goldstein, a universal design product marketing manager and bath designer for TOTO USA agrees: “A lot of people

think the dual flush is the most efficient way to go, but it isn’t necessary if you have a good balanced low flow with a good system for elimination of waste.”

No matter the flushing functionality, Holder says a low-flow toilet may require users to hold down on the handle or button just a touch longer than the typical toilet.

“This is a habit your family will form quickly,” Holder says. “But children may need some reminding in the beginning.”

Functionally speaking, using less water suggests waste might stick more easily to the bowl. Not so, toilet design gurus say.

“That’s why manufactures like TOTO developed antimicrobial glazes to keeps things moving and clean,” Buckner says.

“Be sure you pick a toilet with a similar coating.”

For example, TOTO’s SanaGloss creates a super smooth surface that repels particles. “This high technology finish prevents accumulation of toilet bowl buildup,” Goldstein says.

The pressure is on

No matter how smooth a bowl’s surface is, if there isn’t enough pressure to push waste through, it’ll stick around. This problem’s been solved, Buckner says.

“American Standard re-engineered how water and waste interact in their bowls by pulling waste to the back of the toilet, while Kohler changed their internal tank and created cyclone technology that causes water to transfer out of the tank at a high speed,” she says.

TOTO incorporated a system inside its toilets that allows water to act as a dam and create a suction effect: “Nothing gets caught because the trap is large enough to pull things through,” Goldstein says.

Once homeowners know the logistics of today’s water-saving toilets, the only factor left is individual design tastes.

“There are numerous styles and colors in every price point that meet EPA regulations,” Goldstein says. “So don’t think you have to settle.” © CTW Features

Courtesy of American Standard

Ranging from $349 to $562, this siphonic ,two-piece dual flush toilet can use as little as one gallon of water and features technology that allows every flush to scour the bowl.

Dubbed PowerWash, this function creates a strong pushand-pull action with forceful but quiet jetted action under the rim. This toilet is available in a variety of comfort options, including right height elongated, elongated and round front. The H2Option is available in white, bone and linen.

TOTO’s Aquia Dual Flush

Priced at more than $6,000, this toilet has all the bells and whistles, including a dual flush technology with 0.6 and 1.28 gallons per flush, a built-in bidet and deodorizer, an interactive LCD touch-screen interface (pictured opposite left), an automatic open and close lid, heated seat and foot warmer and even a builtin music system.

Costing between $475 and $713, depending on the color, this elongated, skirted ,two-piece toilet features 0.9 and 1.6 gallons per flush, Dual-Max Flushing System, push-button style flush option, a fully glazed trapway and the option of an Oval SoftClose seat.

“We strived to create the world’s most advanced toilet that saves water, removes waste without a hitch and provides extra perks,” says Mike Marbach, product manager for Kohler.

“What has always set TOTO apart from the competition is our leadership in engineering superior flushing and sustainable conservation technologies, combined with outstanding design,” says Pam Goldstein, a bath designer for TOTO.

Courtesy of TOTO

American Standard’s H2Option

Kohler’s Numi

Courtesy of Kohler

The following brands offer a variety of water-saving toilets at different price points. Here’s a glimpse at a few particulars:

© CTW Features

PELLET

13 • HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011

A peek inside the bowls

HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011 • 1

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here’s no off button or sleep mode on a refrigerator. And because a fridge runs constantly, energy efficiency is an important feature for folks concerned about their environmental impact and cost savings.

From Amana to Whirlpool, there are more than two dozen Energy Star-qualified brands. They are trusted names like GE, Kenmore and Frigidaire that each offer dozens of models. Energy Star refrigerators exceed the minimum federal standard for energy efficiency by at least 20 percent.

Unfortunately, the most energy-efficient configurations aren’t the trendiest.

“Freezer-on-top is a very energy-efficient design, but most people left those behind in the old apartment when they bought their first home,” says certified kitchen designer Peggy Deras of Kitchen Artworks in South San Francisco, Calif.. “French door models are hot. People love the wide-open interiors with lots of flexibility in storage.”

However, side-by-side models are “the least efficient refrigerators as a class, probably because they tend to have the largest volume and usually have an icemaker,” according to

Joe Barrios, author of EcoVillageGreen, an online eco-friendly home product guide.

The most energy-efficient side-by-sides typically use more energy than the least efficient top-freezer models, Barrios says.

On average, top-mounted freezer configurations use 10 to 25 percent less energy than bottom-mounted or side-by-side models, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Generally speaking, the larger the fridge, the more energy it consumes. The most energy-efficient models typically have a capacity of 16 to 20 cubic feet.

Automatic icemakers and through-thedoor dispensers increase energy use by 14 to 20 percent. Even though people allow cold air to escape the freezer when using plastic ice trays, making ice “from scratch” is still more efficient than an internal icemaker, according to the EPA. Today’s refrigerators combine eco-friendliness with chic styling. Deras’ favorites are SubZero, GE and Jenn-Air. Green kitchen designer Barbra Bright, also serving the San Francisco Bay Area, prefers Liebherr for its “clean European styling” and “passive cooling system,” one of the most efficient on the market. There are two independent air circuits, so air movement can be contained in the fridge compartment for pas-

sive cooling. Liebherr units also come with LED lighting as a standard feature.

“It’s more efficient and emits less heat,” Bright says. “How cool is that?”

Liebherr doesn’t just sell green products, the company also is efficient in its operations.

“Their packaging materials are 100 percent recyclable, and they actively seek ways reduce their impact on the environment,” Bright says.

When shopping for refrigerators, “I hope a lot of buyers are looking at energy efficiency first,” Deras says.

But there are other features as well as new technologies to take into account.

“Of course, there are the usual storage considerations. I prefer a refrigerator with lots of flexibility in its configuration,” Deras says. “I don’t like to be boxed in by too many specialized drawers and compartments. In my opinion, they just take up too much of the space.”

Enclosed glass shelves “are definitely a big plus” because they contain spills, she adds.

Thermador’s Freedom line of refrigerators features a motorized Liberty Shelf that adjusts when fully loaded at the touch of a button.

Brands such as Samsung are coming out with refrigerators with built-in computers. Available in June 2011, the Samsung Refrigerator with Apps has an 8-inch LCD touch screen display with Wi-Fi connectivity and “kitchen-relevant” applications like Pandora, Twitter, Epicurious, AP News, Google Calendar, Weatherbug and Picasa Photos. Users can control different aspects of the refrigerator using the LCD display, right down to the shape of the ice.

Those in the market for a new fridge can use the Energy Star savings calculator at energystar.gov to find out how much they’ll save by replacing their existing appliance. They also can call the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturer’s Recycling Information Center at (800) YES-1-CAN to find out where and how to recycle their old refrigerator.

“Remember, putting that old fridge in the basement or garage means you have the old energy cost, plus the new,” Deras says. “It’s better to buy a fridge that meets your storage needs and recycle the old energy hog.”

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15 • HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011

R EA D Y SET R EPLA C E

ght

some go a whopping 100,000 hours.

“You put that in and you’re done!” says Terry McGowan, director of engineering at the American Lighting Association. LEDs run about $40 each.

Consider this

Courtesy of GE

HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011 • 1

New technology and regulations should make you think twice before you buy – or invest in – your next bulb

➜

See the li

GE Lighting’s hybrid halogen-CFL bulb may cost $6 to $10 a pop, but they’ll last eight times longer than the inefficient 100-year-old incandescents that are being phased out.

By CHERYL V. JACKSON | CTW Features

T

he traditional light bulb is flickering out and will be replaced by more energy-efficient options, including those that promise up to 50,000 hours of light for a $40 price tag.

“It’s a matter of shifting the buying decision from something that’s disposable to something that’s long-term,” says Kelly Cunningham, outreach director at the California Lighting Technology Center at the University of California-Davis.

The movement is helped along by federal legislation requiring the standard A-line, 40to 100-watt incandescent light bulbs to use 30 percent less energy. The energy efficiency standards will be enforced starting with 100watt bulbs in January 2012 and ending with 40-watt lamps in January 2014, with much ballyhooing about savings on electricity bills.

Lighting accounts for 20 percent of the average household electric bill, according to the American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy, which says consumers could save $40 billion in energy from 2012 to 2030 by switching to more energy-efficient bulbs.

About 90 percent of the electricity used to power the old bulb, which burns electricity to heat a filament until it glows white and produces a bright light, is lost to heat. While this device lasts about 1,000 hours and cost only about 75 cents, it adds to home cooling costs.

Replacement options

• Halogen bulbs: These bulbs emit bright white light, similar to an incandescent, while using less electricity. They will burn for 2,000 to 3,000 hours. A 72-watt halogen bulb will generate about 1,500 lumens, the equivalent of that produced by a 100-watt incandescent bulb. Halogen bulbs cost $2 to $3 each.

• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs): They are the most commonly used bulb alternative. CFLs produce about four times as much light as traditional counterparts of the same wattage and can last about 8,000 to 10,000 hours. They retail for $3 to $5 each.

• Light-emitting diodes (LEDs): The hottest topic in cost-savings circles, these devices use seven to 10 watts to give off the same amount of light as a 60-watt standard bulb and last at least 25,000 hours. Some manufacturers are offering bulbs that last 50,000 hours. Over the next few years, expect to see

Before throwing the switch on more green lighting at home, consider the following: When comparing bulbs, buyers should look at “lumens,” the amount of light emitted. For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb produces 800 lumens, the same amount produced by common CFLs using only 13 to 15 watts.

“Many people still equate watts with brightness,” Cunningham says. “They should be asking for the equivalent lumen output” of their previous bulb.

Most CFLs come in “warm” colors to match the yellowish light of incandescent bulbs, but homeowners can also opt for “cooler” colors with whiter and bluish hues for reading and task lighting.

Color in lighting is measured on the Kelvin (K) scale. For warmer colors, opt for 2,700 to 3,000K bulbs. For bright white light, which might work better in kitchens, closets or work spaces, go with 3,500 to 4,100K bulbs. A 5,000 to 6,500K bulb will emit light that is bluer and appears more like daylight, making it better for reading.

Rooms with wood tones would benefit from bulbs that emit warm color tones, while those with more gray, silver and black hues would need a higher Kelvin range light, says Pervaiz Lodhie, president and CEO of California-based LED lighting firm Ledtronics Inc. The same consideration should be made in choosing lights for artwork.

“When selecting lighting to put on a painting, what are the predominant colors of the painting?” Lodhie asks. “If it’s blues and grays and whites, you don’t want to throw warm light on it. You want to throw more white tone, so that it makes the painting almost come out of the wall.”

Using LED lights to illuminate artwork has the added advantage of not drying it out like the older technology tends to do, Lodhie says.

Closets should use cooler color bulbs, so clothing appears as they would – and will – outdoors.

Light Bulb Lingo: • Lumens: the amount of light emitted from a fixture • Watts: the amount of power used by a light bulb • Incandescent: the typical light bulb, of Thomas Edison fame. It’s also the least energy-efficient bulb – it uses the most watts to produce lumens • Lighting color: measured on the Kelvin (K) scale. “Warmer” colors, like the yellow glow of incandescents, have lower K values. “Cooler” colors have higher K values

“If you put a warm bulb in that room, then all of your clothes [will be viewed in] a warming light. When you go out in natural light, it looks very different,” Lodhie says.

Dimming and then some

Most CFLs are not compatible with all existing dimming circuits, motion sensors, electronic timers or three-way switches, but more are headed for market. More dimmable LEDs also are expected on store shelves this year, says Mary Beth Gotti, who manages the GE Lighting Institute, which trains retailers and lighting-industry professionals.

Check packaging for compatibility.

Because of their long life, Cunningham says, LEDs are good choices for hard-toreach ceiling fans and porch lights that lack a motion sensor and stay on all night.

The halogen bulb is the best bet as an energy-efficient light source for dimming, says Cathy Choi, president of Bulbrite Industries, a New Jersey-based bulb manufacturer.

“It’s a baby step,” Choi says. “For those who don’t want to give up the glowing, incandescent feel of the grandma bulb.” © CTW Features

17 • HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011

By COURTENAY EDELHART | CTW Features Building codes exist to provide a minimum level of safety for homeowners.

Violations are common, but often homeowners don’t discover them until something goes wrong or when making energy-saving updates.

Angie’s List is a consumer membership club that provides discounts and consumergenerated reviews of service providers, as well as troubleshooting assistance when a project goes wrong. We sat down with founder Angie Hicks to discuss the most common building code violations and how to fix them.

“Too often, we think we can save money on home improvement by doing jobs ourselves or hiring someone who’s really handy but doesn’t have formal training, so the job costs a lot less,” Hicks says. “Electrical and plumbing projects and those that affect your home’s structural integrity should never be done ‘off the books’ or by someone without the proper qualifications.”

Electrical code violations, for example, could lead to an electrical short and cause a deadly fire. Poor wiring accounts for 33 percent of all house fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Water leaks cost homeowners hundreds of dollars every year in wasted water – and thousands more in damage resulting from drips. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the average U.S. home loses nearly 1,000 gallons a year to running toilets, dripping faucets and other leaks.

Even if there’s no catastrophe, code violations are usually uncovered during a home inspection when the property is put up for sale. Either way, they can potentially cost homeowners a great deal of money and are best caught sooner rather than later.

In the long run, it’s simply better to hire someone to do it right the first time, Hicks says. Even if the house doesn’t suffer imme-

code

eled room when it’s done,” Hicks says, “but when it comes time to sell the house, you’re going to have to face the music.”

Before hiring anyone, check references and get at least three written estimates for the work you need done, Hicks says. Determine what a community’s license and certification requirements are and don’t settle for anyone who doesn’t happily show you proof of that, along with insurance and bonding.

Here are the five most common code violations:

DIY projects

Contractors and home inspectors agree the biggest code violations result from wellmeaning do-it-yourselfers who either don’t know or don’t understand local building code requirements. Diehard DIYers need to get a qualified inspector or contractor to provide plans and a review of the finished product to avoid problems down the road.

No proper building permits

Courtesy of Angie Hicks

HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011 • 1

Know the

Angie’s List founder shares her not-so-secrets to maintaining and updating homes according to code

Angie Hicks, creator of Angie’s List, urges homeowners to hire licensed contractors, get multiple estimates and buy professionally designed plans for DIY projects. diate damage, a home inspection will catch code breakers. That project will eventually

have to be brought up to code.

“You may even love the addition or remod-

Home additions or remodeling projects done without proper building permits could cost homeowners twice as much. A good building code inspector will find structural problems and shortcuts that violate local codes. Homeowners will have to correct that before selling a home. That means paying for the project twice – once to get it done and another time to have it done properly.

Electrical issues

If a home’s lights flicker every time the air conditioner kicks on, there may be a wiring overload issue or faulty wiring. If an electrical panel is hot to the touch, there’s definitely an issue with the electrical load. Wires spliced together but lying on bare floors without a proper housing can spark a fire.

It takes the experience of a licensed electrician to test the electrical panel, its breakers

Plumbing problems

Even if a home doesn’t have clogged drains or leaky faucets, don’t assume the plumbing is problem-free. Certain sinks need special drains to prevent sewer gases from entering a home. Home inspectors often see drains that aren’t connected to sewer lines properly, water lines that aren’t hooked up well enough to prevent leaks and drains that aren’t vented correctly. A licensed plumber can inspect pipes and see what needs fixing before a home goes up for sale.

Heating and cooling

A home’s heating and air-conditioning system may still be shiny, but that doesn’t mean it’s operating well. The system has to be vented properly and must be the right size for the home. A system that isn’t sized right or installed to meet a home’s heating or cooling needs will cycle on and off frequently.

Incorrect sizing also puts stress on system components, shortens the equipment’s life and leads to wasted energy and money. The

system has to be checked out for maximum efficiency and safety. Regular maintenance will save money and alert homeowners to bigger issues. Left unattended, an air conditioning unit will lose 5 percent of its energy efficiency annually.

Home inspectors aren’t code police.

They’re on the lookout for how safe and structurally sound the house is. The best bet for any homeowner thinking about hanging up a “for sale” sign is to get a full home inspection before it goes on the market. That inspection will find things that need attention and get them fixed before a potential buyer’s home inspector goes looking around the house looking for problems, Hicks says. © CTW Features

Need-to-know basis Some things homeowners should know about home inspectors: ➞ A standard home inspector’s report covers the condition of walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation, basement and structural components, interior plumbing and electrical systems, roof, attic, visible insulation, heating system, and depending on the temperature, the air-conditioning system. ➞ Home inspectors don’t give a pass/fail: They detail conditions and outline needed repairs. Homeowners must decide what to do with that information. ➞ If the home inspector can’t easily get into attics and crawl spaces, he can’t adequately assess the condition. ➞ Home inspections generally start at $400, and take at least three to four hours. Fees vary depending on the age and size of the home. ➞ Not every state requires inspectors to be licensed. Don’t hire anyone who can’t provide proof of valid license and training and who has a good local reputation.

19 • HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011

and all the outlets to make sure everything works properly and can’t cause a fire.

iStockphoto

HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011 • 2

Shuttered island: Use thick shutters to insulate your home and prevent indoor/outdoor air exchange.

Weekend warrior

Looking for a new hobby? Make your weekends productive with these home improvement projects

By PATRICIA RIVERA | CTW Features Homeowners and renters who want a greener home have tons of options for saving money and preserving the environment.

Some take minutes to implement, others may take a weekend. Here are a few ideas to jumpstart weekend energy efficiency projects:

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Figure out that thermostat: Programmable thermostats, set to run based on a family’s true needs, keep air conditioning units from working too hard when no one is home.

They’re ideal for individuals or families who are away from home during set hours each day.

When used efficiently, homeowners can save about $150 a year in energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Yet more than 70 percent of homeowners with programmable thermostats do not use them, perhaps because they haven’t taken the time to understand how. Retailing from about $20 to $60, these thermostats are easy to install and affordable.

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tional insulation on the windows and have a reflective back to keep sunlight at bay. For the most value and greater energy efficiency, look for shades with more cells. Bigger cells offer better insulation.

Also consider insulating curtains or shutters to help decrease temperature exchange.

Shutters are highly efficient because they’re thicker than other window coverings.

Exterior shutters take more work to install and operate, but they help guard against air infiltration and heat. For maximum insulation, combine shutters with other window treatments. On hot days, remember to close window coverings on the south and west sides to keep homes cooler.

Put your garage to work: John Evans, of Millsboro, Del., found a lot of value insulating his garage door, given that garages are often the largest non-insulated area of a home.

Glass fiber manufacturers sell garage door insulation kits with easy-to-follow instructions.

Evans also purchased screens for his garage opening that have vinyl insets. This way, he can open the door in the winter to allow sunlight in to heat the garage. The heat rises from the garage to warm his home above.

iStockphoto

A high-performance shower head can cut water use by 40 percent.

Shower water waste: Hot water heaters may consume about 20 percent of a home’s electric bill. For example, says Charlie Szoradi, founder of Greensave.com in Wayne, Pa., hot water tanks are usually factory-set above 140 degrees. Instead, consider resetting tanks to 120 degrees.

“You don’t need it at 140 because it’s too hot,” Szoradi says. “You’re overpaying on hot water and mixing it with cold so it’s not scalding. Set it to warm instead.”

Wrap hot water heaters with insulation to reduce standby heat loss by 25 to 45 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Insulation provides an insulating value of at least R-8 (a measure of thermal resistance).

For greater savings, put a timer on the water heater so it only cycles to heat water twice a day for a total of four hours.

Szoradi suggests investing in a high-performance shower head to cut water use by 40 percent compared with conventional showers.

He recommends a shower head with a 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm) flow rate.

“They weren’t as efficient in the past, but now you feel like you’re taking a traditional shower but you’re not wasting as much water,” Szoradi says. © CTW Features

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d

Dial it

wn a bit, will ya?

Try these no-cost alternatives that will help you dial back energy usage

Cut off standby power: Pressing the off switch on a television or microwave doesn’t mean the appliance is disconnected. They’re working at a lower rate but still sucking up energy in the process.

According to the Lawrence Berkeley

By AFI-ODELIA E. SCRUGGS | CTW Features

W

Courtesy of Weber

hen it comes to conserving energy, especially in the summer, home energy auditor Mike Rogers hopes Americans remember a time before air conditioning was ubiquitous. That’s when folks kept cool by turning on fans, drawing blinds and cooking light.

“If you dial the clock back 50 years, most people didn’t have air conditioning. You had to do simple, smart things, which are inexpensive. I think we’ve forgotten that over time,” says Rogers, the vice president of GreenHomes America (greenhomesamerica. com), based in Syracuse, N.Y. The company conducts home energy assessments and retrofits houses in 10 states.

“You don’t need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to make your home more energy efficient and save money on your utility bill,” says Andrew Schrage, coowner of personal finance site Moneycrashers. com.

Jason Holstine gives the same advice to customers of Amicus Green Building Center (amicusgreen.com) in Kensington, Md. Think about “spring greening” and put together a list of ways to conserve energy without fancy new technology. His suggestions, as well as tips from others, include: Turn up the thermostat: Holstine suggests keeping the house between 76 to 79 degrees when at home and busy. Go up to 80 degrees at night and 82 degrees when the house is empty or when on vacation.

Use a programmable thermostat to maintain a higher temperature when away from home, and lower it just before homeowners return. “The more you can turn that off, the more energy you will save,” Rogers says.

National Laboratory, a plugged-in CD player averages 4.11 watts when it’s not being used, compared to 6.8 watts when it’s on. The costs work out to roughly $4 a year when the appliance is off, to $6 per year when it’s running. Although that doesn’t seem like much

Take it outside: Grilling in the hot summer months keeps the house cooler than cooking on the stove. Just make the sure the grill isn’t too close to the house, or the heat from the grill will waft inside.

electricity or money, the average home has 40 products constantly drawing power. The laboratory estimates standby power accounts for 10 percent of home energy use.

So unplug appliances that aren’t frequently used, and make sure to disconnect battery and telephone chargers from the wall outlet.

Or, plug products into smart power strips that shut off power when a device seems to be idle.

Let Mother Nature help: If the weather outside is cool and comfortable, open windows to let the breeze in. Or open the windows at night, then get up early and close them. The cool air will be trapped in the house.

Instead of running the clothes dryer, which can heat up a residence, Schrage recommends hanging clothes to dry. Be careful though, of drying wet clothes indoors on humid days. The moisture from the clothes increases humidity, which makes for a warm, sticky interior.

Keep it cool: On hot days, either cook light or grill outdoors, away from the building.

Turn off lights when they’re not in use; not only do they waste energy, they warm up the house and make the air conditioning work harder. Draw the blinds and curtains on sunny days to keep cool air in and the hot sun out.

Use a microwave and a dishwasher: According to the California Energy Commission, a microwave uses two-thirds less energy than a stove, and it doesn’t add heat to a house. A dishwasher uses less water than hand washing but only if the appliance is full. Let dishes air dry to keep the house or apartment cool. © CTW Features

23 • HOME STYLE • Sept. 2011

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