There’s more to “green remodeling” than adding more insulation to your home when gutting a kitchen, bathroom or adding an addition.
In fact, it starts in the planning phase of your remodeling project.
Should green remodeling be a top priority for your next project, it’s important to make sound decisions early in the process as this will determine factors such as the overall budget of the project, scope of project, and selection of materials.
Green remodeling begins with design
What does green remodeling mean for you?
For some people the focus may be on energy efficiency… and given rising heating costs money invested in more and better insulation will pay dividends for you in the immediate future.
For other people green choices focus on the materials used in the renovation. This may include using recycled materials or more sustainable products, like cork or bamboo flooring.
So if green remodeling is a priority for you and your family, understanding and discussing your “must haves” early on in the project will help you and your chosen remodeling company find the best options to available to your without breaking the bank, or the budget.
Getting started
Typically the first step in the process would be a thorough evaluation of your home, including testing and inspecting existing insulation, any possible air leaks, mechanical systems (such as your plumbing, HVAC, and electrical), identifying any possible structural defects and site layout for solar orientation.
The goal of this preliminary inspection process is to identify any areas or problems before work begins in your home so that any deficient areas can be properly addressed before the project gets underway.
Insulation and your energy costs
A good friend of mine completed a new home for his aging mother sometime late last year. And during my last visit with him he admitted that the home he completed for her was much better insulated than the home he completed for his family only a few years earlier.
Why?
Even though both homes are roughly the same size, he opened his wallet and spent the money for more insulation knowing full well that it would reduce the heating and cooling costs for his mother.
Homes built only 15 to 20 years ago were typically completed with less insulation than homes built today. The prevailing mindset back then with low energy costs was that the added expense to better insulate homes wasn’t worth the money.
Now, of course, we think otherwise.
The bottom line?
Upgrading the insulation in your home can make for a more comfortable living space in summer and winter while reducing your overall energy costs.
Windows matter
What is solar orientation? And why is this important to consider?
Where windows are placed in your home with respect to sunlight makes a big difference to your comfort and energy costs.
Since we live in a northern climate this means that windows placed in north facing walls can be a big energy penalty should that side of your home get a lot of strong winds during the cold winter months. South facing windows are great for winter, but should be shaded in summer months to prevent too much heat energy from entering your home, while east and west facing windows generally only receive sunlight in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
Thinking green
Beyond energy efficiency you may want to use green products in your home.
This may include using sustainably harvested woods, reclaimed lumber, salvaged fixtures, and rainwater collection for irrigation of your landscaping.
Even as you research the latest materials, the fact of the matter is that your selections may be limited by what’s available nearby. For example, just because you can find some product online doesn’t mean that it will be readily available near your home. Factoring in shipping costs and the environmental costs to have a product shipped from the west coast must ultimately balance your decision.
The key?
Work with a remodeling company that shares your vision and desire to have a green remodeling project completed, and then design the remodeling job from the beginning to incorporate as much “green” as you can that fits your vision and your budget.
Schedule your free in-home consultation today
Would you like to see some samples of our work?
As a home remodeling company with more than 50 years of experience we can turn your renovation dreams into remodeling reality. In fact, we have completed hundreds of remodeling projects, from master bathroom redesigns to home additions and more, and can do the same for you.
To schedule your free in-home consultation today you can click the link for our website (www.remodeling-consultants.com) or call our office at 914-381-6900.
We look forward to hearing from you.
