Green dreams

It’s coming. Another Inland Northwest winter, that is. Whether or not it’s going to be anything like last winter, this is the time to think about making your home more energy-efficient. It’s also an ideal time for home remodeling projects like kitchen updates or making the home more inviting and comfortable for the holidays.

With this in mind, the 30th Annual Spokane Fall Home Idea Show starts its three-day run today at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center. Homeowners who want to remodel their homes, as well as those starting from scratch, will be able to talk to contractors and check out resources for the products and materials they’re after.

Hundreds of exhibitors will display and demonstrate products such as flooring, siding and windows; cabinetry, countertops and kitchen design; spas and sunrooms; bath design, closet systems and security systems. Roofing and remodeling contractors will be on hand to answer questions as well.

This year, “Go Green!” is the theme of the show. There will be many products and services – all with an emphasis on being environmentally friendly – to learn about and consider for your own home. The following exhibitors are a sampling of those offering green products or services:

Avista Utilities will be giving out free compact fluorescent light bulbs and coupons at their booth today only, as well as offering energy tips and weatherization information.

Conform Pacific’s booth should be an eye-catcher. “It will look like a big igloo,” says Lorna Hamilton, a distributor for insulated concrete forms, or ICFs. Made with expanded polystyrene, these forms serve as an insulated framework for walls that have a high R-value and reduce the amount of lumber needed for construction projects. “In addition to our product being used for retaining walls, saunas and swimming pools, building contractors and homeowners have been using ICFs for the whole home because they retain heat really well,” Hamilton says. Since the blocks snap together easily, “we like to call them ‘Legos for big people’,” she adds.

Glen Hyman, owner of Great House Design, says “we can design totally green homes by using products that reduce heating, cooling and maintenance costs.” They have more than 6,000 home plans on their Web site, www.greathousedesign.com, and work with homeowners to create energy-conserving designs.

The Spokane Regional Solid Waste System’s booth will promote their new recycling campaign “by providing a more upbeat look at curbside recycling and where to recycle,” according to education coordinator Ann Murphy. “Master Composters will be on hand to answer questions and we will hold seminars on home composting and how to recycle and reuse construction and remodeling debris. These materials are often wasted instead of being recycled.”

Representatives from Zerorez, a surface cleaning company, will be showing their cleaning methods for carpet, tile, grout, upholstery and air ducts. “We use our ‘Empowered Water’ system which has no soaps, chemicals or detergents, so we are able to clean without leaving any residue on the surfaces we clean,” explains owner Jeremy McGee. Attendees can learn more about the process by visiting www.myzerorez.com.

At the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency booth, there will be information on outdoor burning rules, wood heating and dealing with asbestos. Lisa Woodard, public information officer for the agency, reports “we have a new rebate program which provides incentives to homeowners to upgrade their old stoves to newer wood, pellet or natural gas stoves. We will also encourage homeowners and contractors to contact us before starting home remodeling projects in case asbestos is present.”

There will be giveaways and prize drawings, with the largest being held at the EnviroCare Solutions booth. They sell TriStar air purifiers and the manufacturer is holding its annual drawing to win $25,000 in cash or to put toward a new vehicle. Cookies by Design will have drawings for Cookie Bouquets and chainsaw carver Shawn Turney will hold a drawing for one of his carvings.

Seminars with a focus on energy conservation and cost reduction will be held throughout the weekend. Topics include “Designing Your ‘Green’ Home,” “You Can Manage the Construction of Your New Home,” “Turn Yard Wastes and Food Scraps into Compost” and “Recycle and Reuse: Construction/Remodeling Debris.”