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Home Improvement

2007-09-01 09:59:00

“Remodeling green”...what does this mean?

I have heard a lot about remodeling green. What exactly does this mean and what are the benefits to Green Remodeling?

Some of this information has been obtained from NARI. It’s hip to be green, and remodeling a home green is easier than you think. Green Remodeling is an all-encompassing approach that emphasizes making a home healthy, comfortable, and efficient. Consideration is given to indoor air quality, energy conservation, resource conservation, reduced material waste, and the use of products that are better for the environment (and for people). Why go green? It’s easier on the earth, it lowers costs, and it provides a healthier home in which to live. According to the Sustainable Building Industry Council (SBIC), housing alone consumes 20% of America’s energy. Homeowners who choose to remodel green can lower their energy consumption by 30-50%. It’s widely agreed that forests produce 40% of Earth’s oxygen, and that building supplies use 25% of its forests. Remodeling green by incorporating recycled materials or sustainable species will help homeowners to tread more lightly on Earth’s natural resources. Green remodeling is becoming more popular as homeowners consider health issues, skyrocketing energy costs and Earth’s natural resources. More than 15 million Americans are estimated to have asthma, including 1-in-13 school-age children, and more than 28 million Americans suffer from hay fever and other allergies, all of which are aggravated by poor indoor air quality. According to NARI President Everett Collier, “Remodeling Green offers every homeowner the opportunity to reduce home energy demands, lessen home maintenance costs, and increase comfort. Remodelers are increasingly exploring green remodeling principles for their overall value for their clients and for the sake of the environment.” Facts of Green Remodeling: • Energy Conservation The average home today utilizes systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and most homes are not built as efficiently as they could be all of which results in high energy consumption. The U.S. Department of Energy believes if current buildings were green-improved, they would use $20 billion less energy per year. Green remodeling puts a strong emphasis on making homes as efficient as possible with modifications like energy efficient appliances and thermostats that can be programmed at different temperatures for different times of the day. • Indoor air quality There are many sources that contribute to the air quality inside a home. They include pollutants brought in from the outside, toxic chemicals existing inside the home, and the activities of the occupants that create pollutants. Major contributors are tobacco smoke, smoke from the burning of wood, coal, kerosene or other such substances, toxic fumes from sealants or chemicals from cleaning products, lead paint, asbestos from insulation, damp carpets or fabrics, and certain pressed-wood furniture products that release chemicals into the air. Green remodeling seeks to remedy these problems with things like better ventilation systems and using wood, paint and sealants that are nontoxic. What are some benefits of green remodeling? Overall green remodeling proves to be very beneficial for homeowners in many ways: • Reduces operating costs in the home by increasing efficiency • Conserves natural resources • Increases the value of the home • Improves indoor air quality and in turn, overall health • Reduces waste • Reduces emissions costs • Increases productivity of occupants • Improves quality of life How can I implement green into my home? Green remodeling can be done in small ways and doesn’t necessarily have to encompass the entire home. It’s easy to pick and choose elements that fit each particular homeowner. • Programmable thermostats • Energy efficient appliances • Natural flooring • Local building materials • Natural fiber rugs and fabrics • Energy efficient lighting • Insulated hot water pipes • Tank-less water heaters • Quality insulation • Native plants for landscaping