Buzzword: Solid-State Lighting

What it means. Solid-state lighting, or SSL, could be the next big thing in residential lighting. SSL refers to a type of bulb—or lamp, in industry parlance—that uses the movement of electrons through a semiconductor material to generate light. The semiconductor is in a solid block form, hence “solid state.”

Because there’s no filament that heats up (and eventually burns out), SSL is up to 50 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs, claim manufacturers. SSL is also said to last as much as 10 times longer than compact fluorescent lighting and contains none of the potentially harmful mercury that has brought CFLs image down to earth and made recycling them a hassle.

Why the buzz? SSL has existed for decades under the name LED, short for light-emitting diode (the semiconductor material involved is a diode). But LEDs are not the only kinds of SSL. For example, laser technology is a form of SSL, and organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs, are on the horizon. As a result, the lighting industry is transitioning toward the more all-inclusive solid-state lighting moniker. “Within the broad category of TVs, you have several options, including LCD, plasma, and OLED. Similarly, solid-state lighting refers to anything that is not a conventional gas-based lighting technology,” says Govi Rao, chief executive officer of Lighting Science Group (LSG), a manufacturer of lighting equipment.

The switch to SSL might also have to do with the marketing of LEDs, which are still leading the way in this technology. For years, LEDs were limited to commercial use, for example in traffic signals and airport signage. The fact that they couldn’t generate pure white light kept them out of the residential market, except as the red indicator lights on electronic devices. But manufacturers are getting closer to a perfect white LED; LSG, for one, just launched a line of replacement LEDs (shown). Unfortunately, no matter how good the technology gets, some consumers will always associate LEDs with Lite-Brite. By giving the lights a different name, manufacturers can in a way reintroduce them to consumers.

Whatever its name, SSL is still years away from wide residential use. But it’s making steady inroads, including for undercabinet lighting. We’re currently testing these task-lighting fixtures for our August 2008 special kitchen section. Five years ago, we wouldn’t have covered SSL, but this year, it’s a theme in the story. Without giving too much away, we’ll just say that the purported efficiency of SSL is pretty solid.—Daniel DiClerico

What are VOCs in paint, and is more or less of them better?

At my area home center I’m seeing more interior paints whose cans say the finishes have low or no VOCs. What are VOCs and what do the numbers mean?

The seal has definitely been broken on the issue of VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, in paint. You can expect to see more brands touting their virtuous VOC content.

VOCs are solvents that get released into the air as the paint dries. (Other products emit solvents, including adhesives, cleaning supplies, and even some home furnishings.) VOCs can cause acute symptoms, including headaches and dizziness. The long-term effects are less certain, but according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, some VOCs are suspected carcinogens.

The federal government caps the VOC content in paint at 250 grams per liter (g/l) for flat finishes and 380 g/l for other finishes (low-luster, semigloss, etc.). However, some manufacturers have opted to comply with more stringent limits—50 g/l for all finishes—set by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District. These paints include such products as Benjamin Moore Aura, True Value Easy Care, and Glidden Evermore. In the past, low-VOC paints have performed poorly in our tests, but these products all got high marks in our latest tests of low-luster interior paints; see our Ratings (available to subscribers) for the full details.

(The Ozone Transport Commission, a multistate organization created under the Clean Air Act, also has a model rule that limits flat coatings to 100 g/l and non-flat coatings to 150 g/l. It has been adopted by the District of Columbia and the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia. Any sold in these places must be OTC-compliant.)

A handful of paints whose manufacturers claim they contain zero VOCs are now on the market. One is Mythic, which sells for $35 to $45 per gallon at independent dealers nationwide. If you’re a reader of shelter magazines, you’ve probably seen the print ads for Mythic, including the one shown here. Another zero-VOC paint is Freshaire Choice, a Home Depot exclusive that sells for $35 to $38 a gallon. Freshaire has adopted a more wholesome marketing approach: “It’s good for your family, and better for our world.”

The base of other paints might also be free of VOCs, but when any pigment is added at the point of sale, the VOC level climbs as high as 150 g/l, according to ICI Paints, which manufacturers Freshaire Choice. But the makers of Mythic and Freshaire Choice both say that the color pigments used in their finishes contain no VOCs.

Mythic and Freshaire Choice use a VOC-free color additive that is supposed to eliminate not only harmful solvents but also the telltale odor of a freshly painted room, according to their manufacturers. Carl E. Smith, CEO of the Greenguard Environmental Institute, argues that measuring emissions is as important as identifying the VOC level in a paint. “You can have a low count on VOC, but still have high emissions,” says Smith. That’s why Greenguard, which describes itself as an “industry-independent, third-party testing” organization, makes emissions central to its certification process. Currently, Freshaire Choice earns the Greenguard seal, as does Benjamin Moore Aura, whose low-luster and flat paints scored an excellent and a very good overall score, respectively; Mythic has not yet been tested by Greenguard.

Consumer Reports has not yet tested Mythic or Freshaire Choice but both will be considered for our 2009 report of interior paints. We don’t know whether these finishes will endure our typical hiding, fading, and stain resistance tests.

Remember, even though a paint might have low or no VOCs, it doesn’t do you any good if it needs constant touch-ups or reapplying.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: If you’re about to tackle a painting project, see our buying guide to interior paint. Also, read this post on avoiding common painting mistakes.

How to go green in the kitchen

The following article is reprinted from Kitchen Planning & Buying Guide 2008 (cover shown), a new publication from the editors of Consumer Reports. The issue ($5.99) is on newsstands nationwide until June 30, 2008.

“Green is an approach that’s going to stay part of our design ethic,” says Connecticut-based kitchen designer Mary Jo Peterson. She believes that reducing waste and energy, reusing, and recycling are keys to a greener kitchen. The ingredients? Products made from sustainable, renewable materials, energy-wise appliances, and tools that foster recycling. Here are some particulars on designing a green kitchen:

Appliances. The Energy Star label indicates that qualified models are even more efficient than the minimum levels established by the federal government. Also, if you don’t need a large oven or refrigerator, scale down to smaller models. You won’t necessarily have to forgo quality features. A tiny secondary oven also saves energy for mini meals and reheating.

Cabinetry. Some manufacturers produce cabinets free of formaldehyde, a carcinogenic gas, as well as cabinets made of particleboard or fiberboard with as much as 75 percent recycled or recovered material content.

Countertops. From recycled glass to paper, sustainable ingredients are making their way onto kitchen counters. However, they are typically pricey, available through architects and designers, and too new to evaluate long-term durability.

Flooring. Bamboo grows rapidly, reaching its harvestable height in six to eight years versus up to 80 years for some hardwoods. Cork is peeled off the bark of cork oak trees without killing the tree. It is soft and quiet underfoot. However, both materials changed color in our UV tests, and neither proved especially tough when it came to wear. Also, some are more sustainably harvested than others. Certification from the Forest Stewardship Council helps ensure that at least some sustainable practices are used. (Learn about the growing use of bamboo in the home.)

Lighting. Use energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulbs, now available in warm tones, and less-versatile LEDs (light-emitting diodes) where possible. Like all fluorescent lighting, the fluorescent bulbs we tested contain small amounts of mercury, a neurotoxin, and should be recycled to prevent release into the environment. Contact your sanitation department to see if recycling is an option in your area, visit www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling to find recyclers and learn about other options, and read  “Where, oh where, can I recycle my CFLs?” from the Home & Garden blog.

Paints. Shop for interior paints that off-gas little or no volatile organic compounds (VOC). There are several readily available zero- and low-VOC paints from major paint manufacturers. Some may not perform as well as other paints, so be sure to check our Ratings (available to subscribers) for performance.

Water. If you are on a public municipal water system, check your Consumer Confidence Report, which lists what compounds are in your water. Or have your water tested if you are on a private well. If those reports uncover any contaminants you should invest in a filtration system. It’s cheaper than bottled water and less wasteful. For more information, read our latest report on water filters. For more information, read our latest report on water filters.

Essential information: For more information on Earth Day and greener living, visit our Earth Day Guide.

10 Questions for . . . Don Ferrier, Green Builder

In this first installment of a new feature on the Home & Garden blog, we put 10 questions to Don Ferrier, president of Ferrier Custom Homes in Fort Worth, Texas. Ferrier (shown below) is at the forefront of the green-building movement in this country.

Q. You’ve been called one of the godfathers of green building. When did you first become interested in energy-efficient practices?

A. In 1881 my Scottish grandfather immigrated to the U.S. because the state of Texas needed masons to build its new capital. He settled in north Texas and had 12 kids, one of whom started a structural concrete business building bridges. I eventually joined the family business and in 1982 a couple approached us about building an earth-sheltered, underground home.
    Imagine a bunker with concrete on three sides and the fourth, which typically faces south for passive solar orientation, made of glass. The result was an extremely energy-efficient structure that’s also storm-resistant and easy to maintain. That’s how I got started in green construction, although we didn’t call it that at the time.

Q. Nowadays you’re building more-conventional homes, although the emphasis is still on energy efficiency. What major developments have taken place in the ensuing quarter century?

A. There’s been a tidal wave of change. To give you just one example, in 1985 I built my first home out of structural insulated panels, or SIPs. Today, 95 percent of the homes we build are made of the material. (Editor's note: Only 0.5 percent of U.S. homes built in 2005 were made with SIPs,
according to the Structural Insulation Panel Association; 70 percent were built with conventional framing techniques.) The amount of knowledge about this sort of construction is no longer obscure. Public education is the other development. I’m a big fan of the LEED for Homes and the NAHB Green Building programs. Both organizations do a phenomenal amount of good and are tremendous resources for builders as well as homeowners.

Q. Can you describe the greenest house you’ve ever built?

A. That would be Heather’s Home (shown above) a prototype home that we started in September 2005 for LEED and the NAHB near Fort Worth. It’s named after Heather, my then 25-year old daughter, who came to me saying she wanted to build a very green home and wanted to do it on a tight budget. That was more a less our mission statement. It’s not the cheapest house out there but it’s far from the most expensive.

Q. What are some energy-efficient features of Heather’s home?

A. It starts with orientation. In our climate, that means controlling the sun to keep the house from getting too hot. A combination of trees, porches, and overhangs shields the glass portions of the house. They’re angled in such a way that during the summer, when the sun is high in the sky, solar heat gain isn’t an issue. But come winter, when the sun is lower in the sky, it warms the house. The house is built with SIPs, which make for an extremely tight, well-insulated house. Then there’s a high-efficiency air-conditioner unit and water heater. The lighting and appliances all have Energy Star ratings. And the outside of the house is a combination of stucco and low-maintenance fiber cement.

Q. What about indoor air quality? How does this relate to green building?

A. Here’s the dilemma. The average home is leaky. That makes it inefficient, but it lets enough outdoor air into the home that you don’t have to worry about indoor air quality. An energy-efficient home is very tightly constructed. But if you’re not careful about what you put inside, you’ll be left with polluted indoor air. So you have to watch what products you introduce into the home. For example, you have to watch out for the VOCs that are in many materials, including cabinets, countertops, carpets, stains, and paints.

Green grows among U.S. companies

Seventy-one percent of U.S. companies have adopted a green design approach when it comes to their products, and 83 percent say they factor environmental matters into their strategic decisions, according to the "How Mature Is the Green Supply Chain?” report by BearingPoint, a management-and-technology consulting firm.

The recently released report, based on a survey of more than 600 professionals from companies in a variety of business sectors, looked at how companies are reacting to the growing green awareness in this country and abroad. (Download the report.)

It's no surprise that companies are trying to capitalize on the increasing consumer knowledge of things green by introducing claimed eco-friendly products, including household cleaners like the Clorox Green Works shown here.

You might describe some of these  environmentally aimed corporate efforts as greenwashing, one of our Buzzwords. Be sure to visit the Home & Garden blog on a regular basis for the latest information on new products and analysis of just how green they really are.

Black & Decker’s CMM1200 electric mower gets Energy Star nod

Electric walk-behind mowers have become popular among homeowners who don’t want to set another gas-guzzling device loose on the planet. These mowers also eliminate tune-ups and trips to the gas station.

Generally, cordless electric mowers offer easy starting, though they’re suitable only if your lawn is on the small side and you don’t cut down too much grass at a time. A corded-electric model is another choice for a small property, though consider one only if you can deal with the inconvenience of a cord and won’t have to mow too far from an outlet.

Communities in California and Ohio are promoting electric mowers in a big way, with offers of heavy discounts on Neuton cordless mowers for residents who trade in a gas mower. And now the push mower that topped our Ratings of electric models (available to subscribers), the cordless Black & Decker CMM1200, $400, our top-rated electric mower, has picked up some federal bona fides.

The Energy Star program, administered by the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, has listed the charger the 24-volt, 19-inch CMM1200 (shown) uses as an Energy Star-qualified device. On average, qualified battery chargers use 35 percent less energy, the program claims, than conventional models. The charger for the CMM1200’s sealed-lead-acid battery joins a list of other Energy Star chargers for cordless power tools, handheld vacuums, and a few portable printers.

In our latest review of lawn mowers, the CMM1200 proved very good at side-discharge cutting, mulching, and handling, and its wheel-height adjustment uses a single lever. Black & Decker claims the mower can handle up to one third of an acre on a single charge, but that might be pushing it—our tests revealed a 40-minute cutting time for a nine-hour charge.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: Read our recent tip of the day to get your lawn mower in shape for spring and summer cutting. And use the expert yard-care advice in our Complete Lawn & Yard Guide to keep your lawn looking its best.

Buzzword: Water-Wise Landscaping

What does it mean? Water-wise landscaping refers to the cultivation of lush, beautiful yards that require minimal irrigation. You might also see it referred to as xeriscaping, especially if you live in the southwestern United States, where the practice gained traction in the late 1970s. Xeriscape is actually a trademark of the Denver Water utility, so water-wise landscaping has emerged as the generic term.

Why the buzz? Water conservation is one hot topic, especially now that half of all U.S. states are in some level of drought condition, according to the National Weather Service. (Refer to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook map to see which states are the driest. The map shown here was released on March 20, 2008.) And the water issue is only going to become more prominent. “Within the next 10 years, more than two thirds of the states in the nation will likely be short on water—even under non-drought conditions,” notes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in a brochure on water-efficient landscapes.

Water-wise landscaping goes beyond lawn care. In fact, one of its key goals is to minimize the amount of turfgrass in yards by incorporating less-thirsty plants, including groundcovers and ornamental grass, and dry elements like patios and gravel gardens into the design plan.

In our latest report on lawn care (in the May 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, on sale and on ConsumerReports.org the week of April 7), we talk about the need for smart watering practices, noting that half of the water applied to residential yards is lost to evaporation, wind, or run off. The rule of thumb for lawn irrigation is to water deeply but infrequently, and to always water in the morning, when the winds are calm and temperatures aren’t so hot that the water will evaporate before it reaches the roots. Remember, grass is ready for a soak only if you leave footprints when you walk across it.

The EPA’s WaterSense program includes more than 300 certified landscape professionals nationwide who can design efficient irrigation systems or perform conservation audits on existing systems.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: See our Complete Lawn & Yard Guide for information on choosing turfgrasses, planting trees and shrubs, and more, and check out our new mower and tractor page, with updated Ratings of dozens of models. For information on Earth Day and greener living, visit our Earth Day Guide.

Mowing their way to decreased air pollution

Aiming to reduce emissions from lawn mowers in their state, some California agencies are offering residents a good deal on an electric lawn mower.

As part of the annual Mow Down Air Pollution program, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD; logo shown below), among others governmental entities in the state, will provide residents a new Neuton rechargeable cordless lawn mower at a heavy discount when they trade in a working gas-powered mower. (Prices differ statewide. The AQMD is charging $100; the SMUD, $189.) The 24-volt Neuton electric mower, with a retail price of $400, is a lot quieter than a typical standard mower and will run for 45 to 60 minutes on a 12-hour charge, according to officials with the AQMD. We’ve tested the 24-volt Neuton EM 5.1 (shown), $350. It earned an overall good in our Ratings.

The AQMD effort, now in its sixth year, is the largest in the state, according to spokesman Sam Atwood. Southern California residents have exchanged about 4,000 mowers per year through the AQMD, says Atwood, who adds that by the end of 2008, the program will have kept 116 tons smog-forming hydrocarbons out of the air. “In one year, a single older mower will pollute as much as 43 new cars each driven 12,000 miles per year,” notes Atwood. As part of the SMUD’s program, now in its 12th year, residents have bought almost 10,000 electric mowers and emissions have been reduced by 99.5 tons.

Each California agency funds its program differently. The AQMD, for instance, pays for the Mow Down Air Pollution efforts through its Air Quality Investment Program. Find out whether a mower exchange is being offered in your area by checking with the department of environmental protection in your state or a county or local agency.

The AQMD will run seven mower pickups throughout Southern California this spring. People who have preregistered to buy a mower online or by phone drive up to the location with their old mower; someone removes it from their car; and a new boxed Neuton mower is loaded in. “They never have to leave their car and the whole things takes about 10 minutes,” says Atwood.—Steven H. Saltzman

Essential information: If you’re considering an electric mower, remember that a higher-voltage machine doesn’t guarantee better cutting performance. We recently tested the 48-volt Craftsman 37048 cordless mower, $400, and the 60-volt/12-amp Remington MPS6017A, $450 (you can use it with or without a cord). But the top-rated 24-volt Black & Decker CMM1200 cordless electric outcut both models. Get more information about electric and gas mowers and lawn tractors, and use the expert advice in our Complete Lawn & Yard Guide to help your lawn look its best.

Greener cleaners go mainstream

In January, the Clorox Company launched Green Works (shown), a line of what it claims are “natural” cleaners. Days later, SC Johnson announced that a new Greenlist label would appear on its familiar blue Windex glass cleaner. Both products are now being rolled out into retailers nationwide. You know the green bandwagon is getting crowded when two behemoths of the household-cleaning industry climb aboard.

No sooner had the companies launched the products than some in the green blogosphere began questioning the safety of the ingredients used in these cleaners and whether they really are just more examples of greenwashing. So we decided to take a closer look.

Clorox Green Works
Clorox says that its Green Works products, which include all-purpose, bathroom, dilutable, glass-and-surface, and toilet-bowl cleaners, are at least 99 percent “natural.” But without a nationally accepted standard definition for that term, the company is using its own. Natural cleaners, Clorox says, are defined as having ingredients that come from primarily plant and mineral materials and contain less than 1 percent petrochemicals. But keep in mind, natural doesn’t necessarily mean nontoxic or nonirritating.

Unlike with many other cleaners, including some from Clorox, you will find a complete list of ingredients on Green Works packaging. That’s significant, since full disclosure is not required by federal law. At the same time, since it can be difficult to judge the potential harmful effects of ingredients you might be unfamiliar with, if you’re concerned about your health and safety, check for warning labels; they are required when a product contains ingredients that are known to cause harm to humans. Four out of five Green Works products carry “caution” labels, which indicate relatively less hazard than “danger” or “poison” labels would.

Four Green Works products carry the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment, or DfE, label (shown). The presence of the label means that the EPA evaluated the ingredients for health and environmental impacts. But it doesn’t signify that the ingredients are harmless; rather the label indicates that they are considered to be the least harmful in their chemical class. Also, since ingredients are judged individually, there is not one clear standard that all products with a DfE label must meet. Consumer Reports is in the process of evaluating the DfE label.

In April, a Sierra Club label will also appear on all the Green Works products. The label will indicate that the products have been reviewed by the club and are environmentally preferable to conventional products. However, the label is not free from conflict-of-interest, as the Sierra Club will receive financial support from Clorox as part of this partnership.

SC Johnson Greenlist
SC Johnson’s Windex Original blue glass cleaner is the first product to carry the company’s Greenlist label. However, the manufacturer claims it has been reformulating several of its products in accordance with the Greenlist process since 2001. Since the company defined the process, it decides what’s green. Basically, with Greenlist, ingredients are ranked on a more-to-less impact scale from 0 to 3. That information is then used to improve the “environmental and health profile” of products by reformulating them with ingredients considered by the company to be less harmful.

For the Windex, SC Johnson says it replaced a 0-rated solvent with a more environmentally responsible material and reduced the levels of volatile organic compounds in the cleaner. VOCs, chemicals found in many household products, can cause dizziness, headaches, and other acute symptoms.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find a complete list of ingredients on Greenlist products since the company is not required by federal law to disclose all the ingredients used. Without this information, it’s impossible for us to tell whether the green or any other claims are true.

SC Johnson also carries cleaning products with the DfE label, indicating they have gone through the government’s screening process for health and environmental impacts. Those products include Shout Trigger laundry stain remover and Citrus Action, Scrubbing Bubbles Soap Scum Remover with Orange Action, Shower Shine Daily Shower Cleaner, and Fantastik Oxy Power multipurpose cleaner.

In the end, the best way to find eco-friendly cleaners—from Clorox, SC Johnson, or any other manufacturer—is to look for products with labels that have been independently verified as green in the Eco-labels Center on GreenerChoices.org. Also read our report on greener cleaners and use the cleaner recipes there at home.—Kristi Wiedemann, Science and Policy Analyst, GreenerChoices.org

Essential information: For information on Earth Day and greener living, visit our Earth Day Guide.  

March 22 is World Water Day

March 22 is designated as National Goof-off Day, but that date also signifies a more significant event: World Water Day.

While water conservation and quality have been a concern in many parts of the world for years, it wasn’t a mainstream issue in this country when the United Nations General Assembly designated the day during its 1992 Conference on Environment and Development.

But today large swaths of the United States are mired in drought conditions, the water infrastructure is in bad shape in some areas, and according to an Associated Press investigation earlier this month, traces of pharmaceuticals have been found in the drinking-water supplies of 41 million Americans.

The goal of World Water Day is to bring global water issues to the fore. This year’s theme is sanitation, which covers matters like hygiene promotion, sanitary facilities, water quality, and wastewater management. In 2006, the theme was water culture; in 2007, water scarcity.

What can you do about your own water? Start by assessing the quality of your water. Your community water system is required to provide you with an annual Consumer Confidence Report, or CCR, a detailed statement on the quality of the water in your area.

If you’re concerned about water quality and want to buy a water filter, read our latest report. The article covers the different types of filters, which range from carafes that you store in the refrigerator to whole-house systems; the Ratings (available to subscribers) include more than two dozen products.

If you want to conserve water at home, read “50 Ways to Save Water” on GreenerChoices.org and follow the tips here:

• Water your lawn only when necessary. "Watering Basics" offers detailed expert advice.

• Run your washing machine only when it's full. When you’re buying a new washer, refer to our water efficiency Rating to find a model that uses less water.

• Don’t wash dirty dishes by hand or prerinse them before loading your dishwasher. A household that uses its dishwasher almost daily could save up to 6,500 gallons per year by eliminating prerinsing.—Daniel DiClerico

Buzzword: Carbon Offsets

What does it mean? Carbon offsets are a market-based solution to mitigate greenhouse-gas emissions. The concept is that you offset the carbon emissions your lifestyle generates by funding projects that reduce carbon emissions.

The main purchasers of carbon offsets typically are governments and corporations; the Vatican, Fiji water, and Google, for example, have all announced plans to go “carbon neutral.” But you as a consumer might consider paying to offset the amount of CO2 your day-to-day living produces as a way to erase—or at least clean up—your environmental slate.

Organizations such as Carbonfund.org, NativeEnergy, and TerraPass sell carbon credits in the form of tree planting, conservation and renewable-energy  projects (like the Lamar, Colorado, wind farm shown), and methane-trapping programs, among other efforts to which they funnel your money. Even credit cards offered by GE and Bank of America allow you to earn points toward offsets.

Carbon credits have gained in popularity as consumers become aware of their own carbon footprints. Remember, all of us have a carbon footprint, though those who live in energy-inefficient McMansions or drive solo in gas-guzzling SUVs probably have bigger footprints.

Carbon offsets are worthwhile only if they have the net effect of reducing your overall carbon emissions. Simply using them to justify a more carbon-intensive lifestyle won’t result in overall carbon-emission reductions.

Why the buzz? While carbon footprints might seem like a good way to help the environment—and alleviate the guilt from your environmental sins—recent media investigations have shown that in some cases offsets have gone to pay for projects that would have happened anyway and that middlemen often pocket a large chunk of the money. In other words, you’re not getting what you pay for.

This past January, the FTC held a workshop on the advertising claims of carbon-offset purveyors and asked for public comment. In response, the attorneys general from 10 states sent a joint letter on January 25, 2008, outlining their concerns. “The lack of common standards and definitions, along with the intangible nature of carbon offsets, makes it difficult if not impossible for consumers to verify that they are receiving what they paid for and creates a significant potential for deceptive claims,” the attorneys generals wrote.

Until some standards are set, instead of paying someone to reduce your carbon footprint, try doing it yourself. The Consumer Reports Global Warming Solutions Center offers some tips.—Chris Fichera

Essential information: Read more about carbon offsets in “Another Inconvenient Truth,” by Ben Elgin, in BusinessWeek and take a look at Consumers Union’s recommendations to the FTC (PDF) on steps to reduce marketplace deception.

Is daylight-saving time costing us money?

A year ago, we covered the newly extended daylight-saving time (DST), which, as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, was expected to generate energy savings nationwide. But a recent Wall Street Journal article reported that the extra month of daylight time might actually be costing us money, not saving it as planned.

Matthew J. Kotchen and Laura E. Grant, economists at the University of California at Santa Barbara, conducted an energy-use study in southern Indiana, calling it a “natural experiment” because the entire Hoosier state adopted DST only in 2006. Until then, Indiana farmers, unenthusiastic about working in dark morning hours, had prevailed upon the state not to change its clocks.)

Comparing monthly energy bills over a period of three years, the study estimates that DST has cost Indiana households $8.6 million, an increase of up to 4 percent. Fortunately for residents of the Hoosier State, the extra money translates into only $3.19 per household.

In the Journal article, Representative Edward J. Markey, the Massachusetts Democrat who in 2005 helped draft legislation to extend daylight time, pointed out that a study in southern Indiana “cannot accurately asses the impact of [daylight-saving time] changes across the nation, especially when it does not include more northern, colder regions." In their study, Kotchen and Grant acknowledge the need for more extensive research.

The premise behind extending daylight time grew out of a 1975 study by the U.S. Department of Transportation that suggested longer daylight hours would save energy and money. But while the study found an overall reduction in electricity used for lighting, increased heating and cooling demands offset those savings. The result: a net increase of energy costs.

When the DST extension was being debated in 2005, several groups opposed the extension, citing increased inconvenience and concerns about children and auto accidents on dark mornings. Proponents of the extension have pointed to a 1995 study that found that there were fewer fatal traffic accidents overall during daylight-saving time because most accidents occur in the evening. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration is still compiling traffic-accident data for 2007, the first year during which extended DST was in effect.

While it’s too early to know if Kotchen and Grant’s findings extend to all U.S. households, the arrival of DST is a good time to check batteries in smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, program your thermostat for maximum energy conservation, and tackle these other household chores.

Buzzword: EcoMom

What it means: In recent years politicians on both sides of the aisle have tried to woo soccer moms, NASCAR dads, and Starbucks Republicans. But during the 2008 U.S. presidential election, candidates might have to focus their efforts on voters whose party color isn’t Republican red or Democratic blue but green  . . . in the eco-friendly, environmentally aware sense.

What’s the hot new voting bloc, the fashionable faction? EcoMoms. In living rooms across America, these moms-on-a-mission are gathering to discuss ways to run more-sustainable households and shrink the carbon footprint of their families. Think 21st-century versions of Tupperware parties (without the plastic) or makeup-buying get-togethers (minus the chemical-laden cosmetics). The 9,000-member EcoMom Alliance is the de facto head of the movement. That number is too small to rock the vote, but the EA’s nationwide membership is on the rise and includes some high-profile names, including politico Arianna Huffington and actress Robin Wright. Visit the group’s Web site to learn how to become an EcoMom leader and host an EcoMom party.

Why the buzz? If you caught the last Democratic debate in Ohio, you’re aware that the “green collar” economy has become a hot-button issue: “You know, take a country like Germany,” said Senator Hillary Clinton. “They made a big bet on solar power. They have a smaller economy and population than ours. They've created several hundred thousand new jobs, and these are jobs that can't be outsourced.”

At Consumer Reports, we’re interested in environmental issues, whether we’re providing you with ways to save energy, testing compact fluorescent lighbulbs, looking at the levels of volatile organic compounds in interior paint, or clocking the energy consumption of washing machines. Or goal isn’t to influence you politically but to help you get the best products and save money by buying energy-efficient appliances.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Plan to host an EcoMom party? Share these 10 easy ways to save hundreds of dollars on energy costs at your home.

Impressions of the 2008 International Builders' Show

My three daughters gave me a hard time about attending the 2008 International Builders’ Show (IBS). To them, Orlando means theme parks, not work. They figured that my trip would be a respite from winter weather and some nice meals, despite my explanation that my job was to coordinate the online show coverage for Consumer Reports and also report on the new products and themes I’d see while hoofing it around the cavernous exhibition halls.

I enjoyed my time in Florida, but it had a lot more to do with what I saw—the NextGen house and other leading-edge technologies, the glistening displays of the latest appliances—than what I did. Even the occasionally corny opening ceremonies featured some interesting banter from keynote speakers Mary Matalin and James Carville. (Full disclosure: I caught a couple of rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios after the show let out one afternoon. The Tower of Terror is awesome.)

I was just one of 13 Consumer Reports staffers to attend the IBS. You can check out our coverage from the show here. What follows below are our postshow impressions of what’s happening in the American home now and what we’ll be seeing in years to come.—Steven H. Saltzman

“Conservation Without Sacrifice”
What do a new dimmer switch, bathroom faucet, and toilet have in common? They all represent  conservation without sacrifice, an obvious theme at the IBS.

My first encounter with this trend was at Lutron Electronics, where a rep from the lighting-controls manufacturer made the point that dimmers save electricity only when homeowners use them. So Lutron has developed a switch that automatically dims a bulb’s output by 20 percent, a drop in illumination that is not only undetectable by the human eye but also results in energy savings.

Over at the Kohler booth, I saw a bathroom faucet with an aerator that reduces water flow from 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5. That flow rate, says Kohler, delivers savings without any perceivable drop in water pressure. (Learn more about Kohler's water-conserving faucets.)

The American Standard display featured the FloWise toilet, which uses 1.28 gallons per flush—down from the 1.6-gallon federal standard—and meets California’s new residential-toilet standard. Despite the drop, the toilet can still deliver a forceful flush, claims American Standard. (See the toilet in action in our video.)

I was encouraged by this conservation-without-sacrifice trend. To me, it seems to mark the decline of the McMansion mentality as some manufacturers have abandoned conspicuous consumption for inconspicuous conservation. That approach should bode well for the planet and consumers too.—Daniel DiClerico

“Embracing Energy Efficiency”
After spending two days scoping out numerous new green products at the IBS, what resonated with me most wasn’t a new soy-based insulation or a bamboo countertop or any other product I checked out.

The highlight of the show for me was the good old-fashioned concept of energy efficiency, perhaps summed up best by the “You Can’t Spell Green Without EE” presentation I saw. (“EE” equals energy efficiency.) Because until the day when renewable technologies like solar and wind become more widely available and affordable, energy consumption arguably takes the cake when it comes to the environmental impact of buildings.—Kristi Wiedemann, Science and Policy Analyst, GreenerChoices.org

Ed Begley Jr. promotes energy efficiency

Many Hollywood types have hopped on the green bandwagon in recent years, but Ed Begley Jr. gets credit for having been on board for decades. I caught up with the 58-year-old actor and environmental activist at the International Builders’ Show on Friday, February 15, to talk about things green and a product he was pitching. (Celebs rarely show up at trade shows unless their hawking something.)

“Growing up in smoggy L.A., by 1970 I’d had a bellyful, and I wanted to do something about it,” says Begley, perhaps best known for his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the 1980s TV show St. Elsewhere, about his initial interest in green matters.

His first move was the purchase of a Taylor-Dunn electric car in 1970s. The vehicle, recalls Begley, “was little more than a golf cart with windshield wipers and a horn.” These days, Begley walks and bikes to his destinations and also drives a fully electric Toyota RAV4, which he charges using solar power at his home in Studio City, California.

His house is equipped with all kinds of eco-friendly gear, including solar roof panels that can track the sun, a solar oven, and a rainwater-collection system. (See just how green Begley is at the Web site of his HGTV show, Living With Ed.)

The house also has the new A.O. Smith Vertex 100 power-vent gas water heater, the product Begley was promoting at the Builders’ Show. The Vertex uses an unusual helix configuration, basically 30 feet of coil that transfers gas-fired heat to the water (shown). This 100,000-Btu unit operates at 95 percent efficiency, according to the manufacturer, besting the 80 percent level of the most-efficient traditional water heaters. It is supposed to produce as much hot water as a typical 75-gallon model.

With a suggested retail price of around $2,000, the Vertex 100 (available only through wholesalers) isn’t cheap, though the manufacturer says it’s comparable in cost to premium water heaters. That price tag puts it above what Begley calls the “low-hanging fruit” of household energy conservation, products like compact fluorescent lightbulbs and thermostats. But, Begley reasons, the money people save using those products can eventually go toward more-expensive items.

“We’re heading in the right direction,” Begley says about making homes greener. “We haven’t completed all the tasks [toward building truly energy-efficient homes], but we’ve proved we can get there.”—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: If you’re in the market for a new water heater, use our free buying advice. Read our expert advice for 10 easy ways to save hundreds of dollars on energy costs at your house, and visit our Energy-Saving Guide for expert advice on saving energy—and money—everyday.

Building that goes beyond green

The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council presented its 7th annual High Performance Building Awards in mid-January. The SBIC recognized buildings and initiatives that the nonprofit council considered “Beyond Green.” Winning projects were chosen not only for their real-world application of green design and construction but also because they can play an inspirational role in spurring green thinking in the larger building market. (The SBIC is one of many organizations focused on green building. Read this blog about the U.S. Green Building Council’s new green-home certification program for residential housing.)

Here’s a rundown of the three recipients of first-place awards:
• SmithGroup, Inc., an architectural, engineering, and design firm with offices nationwide, earned a first-place prize for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Molecular Foundry. This 96,000-square-foot facility (shown), part of the U.S. Department of Energy, is estimated to be 35 percent more energy efficient than a comparably sized conventional building. Its sustainable features include native landscaping, efficient irrigation, and high-efficiency lighting and windows. These award-winning features also helped it to achieve a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

• The Rocky Mountain Institute, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization active in sustainable design, won for its High Performance Building Perspectives & Practice initiative, through which it shows clients, such as Wal-Mart, how to use energy and resource efficiency to their advantage.

• The Athena Institute, a nonprofit with offices in the United States and Canada, merited a first-place prize for its EcoCalculator. The calculator was designed to help building professionals evaluate the environmental impacts of buildings, also known as life-cycle assessment, or LCA. The LCA can be applied to new construction projects, retrofits, and major renovations for industrial, institutional, or residential designs.

Other 2007 SBIC award winners include the Bronx Library Center, in New York City; the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, in Pittsburgh; and the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Construction Guide.

Essential information: To learn more about green building, visit the SBIC Web site and GreenerChoices.org, the free environmental Web site published by Consumers Union.

In search of green at the 2008 International Builders' Show

From a 10-cent metal drywall clip to a $1,200 tankless water heater, the green offerings at this year’s International Builders’ Show ran the gamut: old-school gear to leading-edge technology; inexpensive wares to pricey equipment; simple tools to complex gadgets. Products with an eco-friendly profile were everywhere at IBS—there was even a Green Day on February 14, when show staff encouraged attendees to wear something green. (Note to IBS organizers: The one color you might convince people to wear on Valentine’s Day is red, not green.)

In my quest to understand how manufacturers and builders are now defining green, I spoke with many of the nearly 2,000 exhibitors at the show in Orlando. Their eyes lit up when I asked why a particular product was being marketed as green. Were those dollar signs I saw? From the sheer number of so-called green products on display even to the signage I came across—including the National Association of Home Builders’ declaration that the “future of residential construction is green”—it’s apparent that the housing industry has embraced green.

The challenge will be for us consumers to sift through the hype and avoid throwing away money by trying to buy our way to a cleaner environment. Remember, despite what some marketing mavens want you to believe, you don’t always have to shell out greenbacks to be green.—Kristi Wiedemann, Science and Policy Analyst, GreenerChoices.org

Essential information: Cut through some of the green hype by learning about greenwashing and visit GreenerChoices.org for the latest news on environmental issues and expert advice on ways to save energy and money everyday. 

Tip of the day: How to dispose of paint

You’ve probably got at least a few partially used cans of paint or stain sitting around your basement, garage, or shed. Should you hold on to them for touch-up jobs? Bring them to your municipal recycling center? Find an organization to donate them to?

You’re not alone in your predicament. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently estimated that as much as 69 million gallons of paint are left over annually in the United States. That’s enough paint to cover 27.6 billion square feet each and every year, or the five boroughs of New York City--some 303 square miles—more than three times. Keeping the paint is definitely a better move than tossing it in the trash; at least that way the paint stays out of the waste stream, where it could contaminate soil and groundwater. Or you could even use the paint for odd jobs around the house, say, painting your garage walls. But if you want to give the boot to those old cans, here’s what you can do:

Check the label. Paint made before 1978 might contain lead, and paint made before 1991 might contain mercury. Both materials should be listed on the paint label. If they’re not and you’re concerned the paint contains either of those neurotoxins, read "Dispose of it," below. (For more information on the environmental health impacts of lead and mercury, use the Toxics search on GreenerChoices.org.)

Donate it for reuse. Some organizations will accept paint that’s in good condition, meaning it can be easily stirred to a smooth consistency and is uncontaminated. The paint should also be in an intact, labeled container. Check for donation options in your area by clicking on “Paint donation” at Earth911.

Recycle it. Some communities offer recycling programs for old paint and empty paint cans. Water-based, or latex, paint can be recycled into new paint or it can even be used to create nonpaint products such as cement. Oil-based, or alkyd, paint is usually used for fuel blending—meaning it’s burned to create energy at a power plant. To find out whether paint recycling is an option in your area, contact your municipal recycling or household-hazardous-waste center. You can also search for recycling options by ZIP code by clicking on “Paint recycling” at Earth911 or by calling the group’s free service line at 800-253-2687.

Dispose of it. If you can’t donate or recycle your paint, find out how to properly dispose of it in your area. Each municipality has different requirements, depending on whether the paint is oil- or water-based.

Oil-based paint is always considered hazardous and should be disposed of at a household-hazardous-waste collection facility. Water-based paint is treated as hazardous in only a few states—including California, Washington and Minnesota—and is still generally accepted at hazardous-waste facilities. To find disposal instructions for your area, contact your local household-hazardous-waste center. You can also search for options by ZIP code by clicking on “Paint disposal” at Earth911 or by calling the group’s free service line at 800-253-2687.—Kristi Wiedemann, Science and Policy Analyst, GreenerChoices.org

Essential information: Find out which interior paint to buy in our March 2008 report on interior paints, which includes the latest information on one-coat finishing and details on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint. 

Seeing the light on CFLs

As New Year’s resolutions go, replacing a household’s worth of incandescent bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent lights seemed, so to speak, an especially bright idea.

With electricity costs in my Westchester County, New York, area much higher than the national average, it seemed a no-brainer to cut energy consumption at my home by installing CFLs. (Learn how to do an energy audit on your home here.) I’d already put in a handful of CFLs, but most bulbs were still of the energy-inefficient incandescent variety.

On New Year’s eve, I headed to the store with a list detailing the various incandescent bulbs I wanted to replace and their CFL equivalents. For example, according to the U.S Department of Energy:
a 9- to 13-watt CFL replaces a 40-watt incandescent;
a 13- to 15-watt CFL, a 60-watt incandescent;
an 18- to 25-watt CFL, a 75-watt incandescent;
and a 23- to 30-watt CFL, a 100-watt incandescent.

I also brought along a printout detailing lighting color temperatures. “Warm,” also called “soft,” lights are designed for interior spaces like the bedroom or spaces where you entertain. “Cool,” also known as “white,” “daylight,” or cool white,” lights are best for the kitchen and other areas where you want the very brightest light, including exterior applications.

Over the course of the next couple of days we replaced dozens of bulbs with CFLs. The biggest part of the job was using a new bulb whose brightness matched what we were used to, but it was otherwise a quick job.

Eventually, we’ll have to figure out what to do with the incandescents I removed. For now, they’re piled up on my workbench in the basement. Send us a note telling us what you’ve done with incandescents you’ve replaced.

Some other observations:

• Prices of CFLs remain too high. To make replacing incandescents an open-and-shut case even for the thriftiest among us, CFLs need to be cheaper than the roughly $2 to $5 I spent per bulb. Note that dimmable CFLs and those in unusual shapes and styles tend to be the priciest. You’ll find the best deals for 60- and 100-watt-equivalent versions.

• Some CFL types are limited. I couldn’t, for example, find CFLs to replace “flame-tip” bulbs in brightnesses that are close to what some of our fixtures require.

• You need to choose the right-color CFL depending on the application. I’ve had to install different CFLs in some fixtures to get the right type of light. In the master bedroom, I had to replace a dazzlingly white 30-watt CFL with a homier 23-watt. And we initially found one new CFL in the room where we watch TV distracting because it protruded from the shade. (We hardly notice it now.)
    If you find that a particular CFL doesn’t give off enough light, use a higher-wattage one. And if the CFL is too bright, install a lower-wattage model instead.

• Manufacturers should improve CFL technology so that turning lights on and off frequently won’t shorten the life of the bulb. Currently the DOE recommends leaving a CFL on for at least 15 minutes.

• Recycling a dead CFL needs to be made easier, as a colleague recounted several months ago in this blog entry. The good news, though, is that I haven’t had to dispose of a dead CFL; even ones I installed years ago are going strong.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: Read our advice on how to handle a broken CFL. And watch our CFL video on the new Consumer Reports video hub.

Photo courtesy of GE

2007 Energy Act: ABCs of the EISA

After a run of more than a century, the traditional incandescent lightbulb could slowly disappear from the American home. That’s just one of the significant changes the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) might bring about for the typical U.S. home.

The EISA requires lightbulbs to use about 20 to 30 percent less energy than most current incandescent bulbs; the phase-in period is 2012 to 2014. Compact fluorescent and LED lights already meet this requirement. Manufacturers such as Philips are introducing new halogen bulbs that also comply with the standard, while other companies are working on high-efficiency incandescent bulbs that could possibly satisfy the requirement. By 2020, lightbulbs will be required to use at least 60 percent less energy than today’s models.

Some other EISA highlights for the home:
• Dishwashers: The dishwasher standard that will go into effect in 2010 will reduce by 7 percent the energy consumption of a new dishwasher that just meets the federal minimum level. And for the first time, dishwashers, will have to meet a national water-limit requirement, with a reduction of about 7 percent from current levels.
• Washing machines: Starting in 2011, clothes washers will have to use, on average, about 6 percent less water.
• Dehumidifiers: The new 2012 dehumidifier standard will reduce the energy use for units just meeting the federal minimum by about 15 percent.
• Electronics gear: The ESIA requires manufacturers to place labels stating energy consumption on items like televisions and monitors, personal computers, and DVRs.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy projects that the changes mandated by the ESIA will lower nationwide energy use by 7 percent and carbon-dioxide emissions by 9 percent by 2030.

Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org, believes the EISA can result in meaningful increases in efficiency that will eventually help you lower your energy bills and shrink your carbon footprint.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Visit our Energy-Saving Guide for advice on how to reduce your energy consumption and save money.

Q&A: Will installing a new, modern thermostat help me save money?

I use an old-style round thermostat to control the heat in my home but am considering switching to a new digital programmable model. Will this type of thermostat help me save money on my utility bills?

Programmable thermostats can cut your heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent by automatically raising or lowering temperatures at night and when you're away from home.

"Programmable thermostats can save significant energy, but only when programmed correctly," says Maria Vargas, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But, says Vargas, "We've found there's a margin for error [in using thermostats] that leads to energy waste." Indeed, many people assume that no programming is needed for thermostats, Vargas adds. The EPA is proposing an educational program and will work with the industry to make thermostats friendlier to use.

Manufacturers have taken some steps to make programmable thermostats less daunting. The best models have built-in energy-saving programs, eliminating the need for you to create them from scratch. But you'll still have to set the time, date, and the system your thermostat controls. Odds are, you'll also want to tailor programs to your schedule.

Use our Ratings and Quick Picks (available to subscribers) to find an easy-to-program model that’s right for your home. (For instance, most models work with most heat-pump systems, though only a few work with multistage heat pumps.) Then consider these shopping points before buying:

Pick a model with the programs you want. If you have a predictable, consistent schedule—you leave for work at the same time on weekday mornings and return home at the same time in the evening—the best thermostat for you might be a weekday/weekend model, which offers one energy-saving program for weekdays and one or two for Saturday and Sunday. Models with different programs for all seven days are often pricier, though several cost no more than simpler models.

Look for convenience. Thermostats with a touch-sensitive screen (footnoted in the Ratings) can be easier to use than those with an array of buttons. Models that switch automatically between heating and cooling are also the best thermostats in areas where days are warm and nights get below freezing, as are those that clearly show whether they're running the heat or air-conditioning. While most have batteries that save at least part of a customized program after a blackout, some save all of it. One, the Lennox SignatureStat (shown), works completely off home wiring yet can fully save programs

Consider the installation. Most programmable thermostats attach to your heating or cooling system with as few as two low-voltage wires, making installation easy. Just be sure to check which wire goes where before removing your old one. See our primer on installing a thermostat.

Essential information: Read our expert advice for 10 easy ways to save hundreds of dollars on energy costs at your house, including installing new windows.