Beware of hype in grren renovations

If you’ve been sold on something “green” for your home renovation, be careful of the hype.

There’s a lot of conflicting information about what’s good for the environment and what’s not — and there are plenty big claims, says Metropolitan Home editor-in-chief Donna Warner.

“People aren’t aware because the information is not clear,” Warner says. “It’s really important to get professional help; it may be expensive but it can save you money in the long run.”

In a special “green” issue of the magazine, Warner and industry experts, including two architects, a planner and an interior designer, weighed in on what’s green and what’s not:

• Make sure that the house is properly sealed up to reduce energy use but also ventilate it properly to avoid indoor air pollutants.

• Choose wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, Warner advises.

• For your flooring, select recycled tiles or wool carpeting.

• Remove your shoes at the door because toxins that get carried in them can worsen indoor air quality.

• Put a high-efficiency toilet in your bathroom. Warner is fond of a new device called Aqus that recycles gray water from a single sink to a toilet up to 10 feet away.

• Paint should be non-toxic and have low VOC (volatile organic compounds).

• Buy durable products that last a long time to avoid having to replace them.