(ARA) - The home remodeling industry is seeing an upswing, according to a Harvard University study released earlier this year, as many homeowners opt to make various upgrades to their homes instead of moving from one home to another. The challenging economy, coupled with increased interest in energy efficiency, is fueling greater demand for home products that deliver performance and savings as well as style.

"A home should be a haven: comfortable, stylish, low-maintenance and easy on the bills," says Erik Jarnryd, co-chairman and CEO of Harvey Building Products (www.harveybp.com). Harvey manufactures windows, doors and patio rooms and offers a range of products used in energy-efficient homes throughout the Northeast. "In an economic environment where the return on investment is as important as the look of your remodeled space, pay attention to products that protect your family from outdoor elements - housewrap, insulation, windows and doors - because they not only contribute to the look and feel of your home, their efficiency will help lower utility bills and in some cases provide you with a federal tax credit."

(ARA) - As home heating and cooling costs soar, your energy dollars literally might be going out the window - and the walls. Small and not-so-small air leaks through covered walls, floors, ceilings and normal openings such as windows and doors can add up to big losses. While retrofitting older homes with weather stripping, insulation and caulk helps seal air leaks, for new homes and additions, building tight walls can prevent air from escaping.

When building a new home, buyers are often aware of common heating and cooling problem areas, such as windows and doors. Many will ask their builder about double- or triple-pane windows, insulated doors and the quality of insulation, without considering the impact of wall construction on home energy efficiency.

(ARA) - Like an alarm clock for our senses and our gardens, the thermometer swelling to 60 degrees awakens us in the spring. We all get the irresistible urge to get outside, birds are chirping, animals come out from hibernation and plants start unfurling their leaves and flowers to color our world.

'The 60 degree factor' signals us that the end of large fluctuations between day and night temperatures is approaching. This allows the soil to warm up, which is necessary for seeds to germinate and young plants to take root, grow healthy and start the season out right. It also gets us interested in outside activities again - and inevitably we begin gardening.

(ARA) - When you clean your house in the spring, you really want it to be clean. Dirt, dust and germs are banned, and all appliances, floors and walls are scrubbed clean. But is your house really clean, or have you traded dirt and germs for caustic and toxic chemicals found in most conventional cleaning products?

Even some so-called natural cleansers can contain these same or similar nasty ingredients. And you would know this only if the manufacturer practices full disclosure of ingredients on their labels, which is not required on home care products. Think about it - when was the last time you saw a full ingredient listing on your spray cleaner?