Check the back of the paint can for levels of volatile organic chemicals "VOCs". An ideal paint has fewer than 150 grams per liter. These are often labeled low-VOC or no-VOC.

For homes built before 1978, test painted surfaces for lead before sanding. If lead is found, contact a professional for remediation.

Common hardwood floors come from trees that take 50 years or more to reach maturity, where as bamboo replenishes every four to six years.

Cork contains a naturally occurring substance called suberin that repels insects, mites and mold. This makes cork floors a great product for people with allergies as it is hypoallergenic. The suberin in cork also makes it naturally fire resistant and also protects it from rotting when wet.

While you may be familiar with using a ceiling fan during summer, have you considered using it in winter also? Heat rises and most of the heat you want is close to the ceiling during winter. A ceiling fan on a low speed can help push that heat down to where you are. During winter the fan will need to run clockwise, which is the opposite of the direction you want it running in summer. The reason for this is that as cold air is denser, running the ceiling fan clockwise draws that cold air up, pushing the warm air close to the ceiling aside, which then travels down the walls to the lower level of the room. This will not only make your home more comfortable, but also help reduce your home's heating costs.

An uncovered pool with dimensions of 18 feet x 36 feet can lose around 7,000 gallons of water a year just through evaporation depending on where you live. Save water and money by using an inexpensive pool cover/blanket, which can reduce evaporation by an impressive 90 - 95%.

If your hot water service is on its last legs and solar is out of your reach too; consider a tankless water heater. Traditional tank systems wear out in under a decade and millions end up in our landfills. Additionally, traditional water heaters consume large amounts of energy, accounting for over 20% of residential energy use in the US, as they continuously heat water whether you need it or not. Tankless water heaters heat water on contact and only when you need it; helping reduce water heating related energy costs by 30 to 50% each year.