Go “green-friendly” with your remodel project by making a few different choices in your selections. Incorporating just a couple green ideas or products into your remodel project can save you money and help save our environment. Below are some ways you can make your home more efficient through your remodel project.
Insulation
Proper insulation is key in keeping your house warm and cool, and keeping those energy costs at bay. This is good for both your pocketbook AND the environment. Insulation not only includes the insulation product, but also sealing your home to insure against air leaks and drafts. Another eco-friendly option with insulation is some of the alternative insulation products. These newer products can reduce chemical emissions and utilize products such as recycled blue jeans or wool. How cool is that?
Lighting
By using energy efficient lighting, you can cut down on your utility bill. Most standard fixtures are compatible with compact fluorescents (CFLs), and CFLs can save 75% of the electricity that incandescent bulbs use. They come in a range of sizes and styles, and no longer give off a sterile, office building type lighting. Incorporating natural light through sun tunnels and skylights helps reduce energy use as well.
HVAC
Proper sizing of the HVAC system is critical to get the most comfort, greatest efficiency, and lowest overall maintenance from the heating and cooling. A system that is too powerful for the home may result in shorter cycle times that don’t allow the unit to reach efficient operation and remove humidity from the air. This can mean rapid drastic changes in room temperature and can add to the wear and tear of equipment, thereby reducing their overall lifespan. Systems that are too small require more energy and are not efficient enough to keep up with the heating and cooling needs of the space. Also, too small systems do not ventilate properly, increasing the amount of airborne toxins and bacteria. Our professional contractors will review your HVAC system to ensure you have the proper sized unit for your current home as well as your remodel or addition.
Windows
As we all know, windows impact heat loss and heat gain. Efficient windows have several factors that go into their effectiveness. These include the coatings applied to the glass, air space and/or gas fill between panes, and the seal around the window. We’ll help you figure out the best windows for each setting and your budget. By picking and choosing the right windows for each location, your home can be “green” and affordable.
Flooring
There are all kinds of new options in flooring these days, and many of them are much more eco-friendly than their older counterparts. They can be made with materials that are either readily renewable or made from recycled products. Carpet can be manufactured using recycled materials, which reduces our impact on the environment. Newer hardwood flooring choices include bamboo and cork, which are harvested from very fast growing plants and are a self-renewing resource. Additionally, carpets made with special adhesives that minimize the impact on air quality are becoming more popular. Some companies are also recycling the pads to keep them out of our landfills and using them to produce more product.
Paint
We can use paints in your remodel that are low-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds). These compounds emit chemicals into the air. Eliminating these compounds vastly improves the air quality in your home. No-VOC paint is generally a little more expensive than conventional paint, while low-VOC paint is about the same price. Green remodeling not only includes the materials used,
but also the
methods we use to remodel your home.
Design
With a little forethought and planning, design elements can be incorporated to reduce electricity and increase efficiency. Designing a home with good natural lighting cuts down on the need to use electricity. Taking advantage of natural landscaping and the surrounding environment can reduce energy or water needs. Our team can work with you to design your remodel to maximize these elements.Recycling Materials
We can recycle many of the materials that are removed from your home. Donating cabinetry, appliances, and other materials is one way we can reduce the impact on our environment by not sending them to the landfill. We’ll work with you to donate these materials to your favorite charity.
Dust Containment
Dust containment is another way we try to reduce our impact not only on the environment, but also on your home and family. We do our best to minimize the airborne particles we release into your home. We also typically budget having your ducts cleaned and replacing your furnace filter after your remodel is completed so that your indoor air quality is at its best once we’re done.
If you are interested in using eco-friendly materials and products, we will help guide you through the selection process based on the quality of available products, your needs and budget. So not only will you get the best product for your money, you will know that you're doing your part to keep our planet healthy and sustainable!
Call us to discuss your remodel project today!
