Expert Advice for your Lawn & Garden TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

If you’re under the impression that environmentally friendly flooring products, such as bamboo and cork, are little more than the latest fad that will soon disappear, then think again. Though very different from each other, both are high quality products that make beautiful and durable floors. In addition, bamboo and cork are easy to install and cost about the same as traditional hardwood.

Richard asks, “I would like to know which brand offers showerheads that don’t use a lot of water.” With drought gripping parts of the country, more and more homeowners are concerned about reducing their water usage, and replacing your showerhead is a good place to start. Not only will you be conserving our natural resources, but you’ll save money on water and utility bills at the same time.

While composite decking is virtually maintenance free, it does require some cleaning from time to time. Corte-Clean is formulated specifically for composite decking. When combined with warm water, it breaks down mold, mildew, dirt, pollen and even barbecue stains. This cleaner works without bleach or other harmful chemicals that harm your lawn.

Every year around this time we hear about ways to save money on heating bills, but how long does it take to actually recoup the money spent on these investments? While all efforts to drive down the cost of keeping your home comfortable this winter have value, some pay off a lot quicker than others.

Ceiling fans are a great way to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter if you know how to use them properly. Though there is much confusion on the subject, it’s not that hard as long as you remember two simple rules.

With all the talk about going green lately, we wanted to find out what you are doing to make a difference. Last month, we asked, “What is the most recent change you have taken to be more eco-friendly?” Here are the results, and a few tips of our own.

Part of embracing the Green philosophy means to adopt new ways to power our every day lives. Reducing the consumption of electricity, natural gas or propane means we are also reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. One of the best ways is to incorporate an idea that is as old as civilization itself. Solar powered items have never been more practical as they are today. Innovations in the field have made solar powered items more practical for today’s homeowner.

The facts are undeniable: landfills are overflowing, forests are disappearing, water resources are being contaminated, and prices at the store are skyrocketing. What can be done to reverse this trend? The answer is surprisingly simple—recycling.

How well insulation works is expressed by its R-value, which is a measure of resistance to the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the better it insulates. The amount of insulation recommended for your home is dependent on where you live, but here are some general guidelines.

There’s been a lot of talk about going green lately, and we’d like to know what you are doing to make a difference. Whether its a small change in water usage or something big like a new hybrid car, share it with us. To vote, simply submit your answer in the right hand column, and if you want to tell us exactly what you’re doing to be eco-friendly, just leave a comment.