Think Green
When Remodeling    

The Metropolitan Builders Association’s Remodelers Council encourages homeowners to go green with their remodeling projects – conserving natural resources and improving indoor air quality all while saving serious money on utility costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save $600 or more per year on utility bills by upgrading appliances, windows, and insulation to Energy Star®-rated products. The federal government also offers a $500 tax credit for energy efficient windows, doors, insulation, HVAC, and other upgrades. The credit expires at the end of 2007.

The following are a few suggestions for homeowners who want to increase their home’s efficiency, decrease costs, and take advantage of the other benefits that green building offers:

1. Install maximum insulation in the area to be remodeled.

Forty percent of the energy consumed in a typical house goes to heating and cooling. Adding insulation will help save energy costs, increase comfort by better controlling temperature, and improve indoor air quality by eliminating many gaps through which dirt, dust, and other impurities can enter.

2. Install high-efficiency windows instead of those that just meet the energy code.

Ordinary window glass transmits ultraviolet heat rays from the sun, which can increase your air conditioning bill dramatically. ENERGY STAR windows can help control this effect.

3. Seal all exterior penetrations in the area being remodeled.

Reduce cold air drafts and heat loss by inspecting your home inside and out, then plugging any cracks or openings. Check the areas where window frames meet the structure or siding of the house. Use caulking to seal all small cracks on non-moving surfaces and weatherstripping on windows, doors, and other movable parts of the home.

4. Purchase only ENERGY STAR-rated appliances.

ENERGY STAR -rated appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models, more than making up for the slightly higher costs of these products.

5. Install low-flow water plumbing fixtures.

Homeowners who retrofit their homes with water-efficient fixtures can save up to $175 annually according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program. Examples include aerators for faucets, tankless water heaters, and low-flow or dual-flush toilets.

6. Upgrade to an ENERGY STAR-rated or tankless water heater.

Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand at a preset temperature rather than storing it. Replacing an electric water heater with a solar model can reduce costs by up to 80 percent a year. Over its 20-year lifespan a solar heater will prevent more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. A low-cost option is to wrap insulation around your heater, which can reduce standby heat losses 25 to 45 percent.

7. Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford.

Over a ten year period, the average homeowner spends more than $10,000 for heating and cooling. Installing high efficiency ENERGY STAR HVAC equipment can reduce utilities costs on average by ten to 30 percent over minimum efficiency equipment. It also can improve home comfort with more heating and cooling and a quieter operation, and often features higher quality components that result in longer equipment life.