WE’VE HEARD by now of the dangers of BPA and other toxic chemicals leaching from plastics and into our food—not to mention all that waste that is produced from plastic bags, bottles, packaging and more. Chances are, you’ve taken some steps, such as replacing plastic water bottles with metal or glass, to reduce your use…
It may be common practice in your household at this point to toss your used paper, plastic and foil into the mixed-use recycling bin and to haul it out the curb (or recycling center) once a week. But what about those larger-ticket items that just don’t seem right to throw away? Chances are, they can…
Banish boredom with these fun ideas for bird feeders made out of recycled and household items. Bird feeders are a great craft project to make with kids of all ages any time of year—and they provide entertainment for everyone in the family as you watch the birds flock to your yard. Some of the steps…
HERE ARE SOME handy resources to help you make the most of the harvest in Maine – all year long. Download and print them, then stick them to your fridge, and you’ll never be at a local-food loss again! Eating in season in Maine A list of what produce is ripest when, listed by month…
The case for whole-house ventilation By Tim King Across the United States, building codes are (slowly) changing to encourage the construction of tighter homes. That is, homes that incorporate new materials, designs and construction techniques that drastically limit the amount of naturally occurring airflow between indoor living areas and outdoors. The rationale? Reducing the amount…
By Lynn Ascrizzi If you’re looking for more eco-friendly ways to reduce your use of chemically laden plastics and synthetics in your home—think wool. Today, the renewable virtues of wool’s natural fibers are gaining new devotees among people alarmed by scientific studies that show how plastic-based fibers contaminate our environment. For instance, synthetic fleece jackets…
By Christine Fisher THERE’S A NEW MAINE-MADE BUILDING PRODUCT on the market, and while it began as a way to prove that masonry homes can be energy-efficient, it has found another welcome yet unintended niche: the healthy home market. Based on German design, Comfort Block™ is a 16-inch thick concrete block with three pockets of…
Fall is a great time to prepare for the upcoming heating season, and many Maine homeowners are now relying on heat pumps for most of their heating. More than 20,000 high-efficiency ductless heat pumps have been installed in Maine homes and businesses in the past 3 years. So whether you are considering a ductless heat…
By Laura Seaton Have you ever sat by your windows in January and felt the heat being pulled from your body? Do cold drafts chill your home? Windows are a major source of heat loss—especially the antique, single-pane windows found in Maine’s historic homes. But cold windows are not limited to older homes—even newer, double-paned…
By Steve Caulfield If you need a new water heater and your basement is somewhat humid and musty, you might consider a heat pump water heater to solve two problems: heating the water and conditioning the air. Heat pump water heaters may sound complex, but they operate just like your refrigerator in reverse. The refrigerator…