Remodeling Green

What Is Considered A 'Green Remodel'?

Green building is an approach to building that reduces energy usage by means of efficient heating, cooling, and lighting systems; reduces water needs through the use of improved plumbing systems; and uses non-toxic building materials including wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to finishes, such as recycled glass countertops. Now, with extremely high energy prices, the federal government set to renew and potentially increase incentives for improvements such as energy efficiency and renewable energy systems in homes, and climate change on consumers' minds more than ever before, green building is now infiltrating the home remodeling business. Recent surveys show 80 percent of consumers consider themselves 'green-minded' and now consumers are applying those beliefs to the remodel of their home.

Why The Time Is Right For A Green Remodel

When the real estate boom was sweeping over the country, manufacturing companies were caught up in the frenzy. Many overproduced everything from roofing tiles to refrigerators and water heaters to windows. The overproduction has not yet been absorbed by new construction nor homeowners remodeling their homes. As a result, the cost of purchasing building/remodeling supplies has not greatly increased over the last few years. For instance, a major roofing job that our HOA bid out 4 years ago was rebid and completed a month ago for a price only $500 more than the price from 4 years ago. Another factor lowering the cost of a remodel is the abundance of general construction labor. The tailing off of the real estate boom has forced many people in the construction industry to lower their prices and work under tighter timeframes in an effort to compete.

As the economy continues to sputter along, many traditional investments are sputtering along also. The stock market (in general), for example, has not been a great place to park your money in the last 12 months. So, with the cost of a green remodel holding steady, a shortage of reliable investment opportunities, and an opportunity to put your money where your beliefs are . . . now is the time to investigate a green remodel.

Where To Start?

Some advise to focus on the low-hanging fruit, the cheap and easy stuff. A remodel presents the opportunity to do more with structural insulated panels (SIPs), double-pane windows, and different kinds of insulation. But one thing you might do is a home energy assessment with today's tools: an infrared camera and a blower. The blower forces air into your house. The energy assessor will close all the windows and doors, mount the blower in the front door, compress air into your house, and see how much pressure the house can maintain. This 'audit' will tell you where and how much energy is leaking out by way of big red spots showing up on the infrared camera. After the assessment is complete, you can seal a few areas up, make a reduction in the amount of energy your home consumes, and take your first steps towards a green remodel.