For a lot of home remodelers, the idea of going green can be absolutely overwhelming. Luckily, there is a wealth of information out there, and just because you are not already implementing these ideas, that does not mean you're too far behind to make some leeway. According to leading remodelers in the industry, the best way to handle green remodeling is not to allow yourself to become swamped, as long as you take things one step at a time. Do not try to take everything on at once, but rather, pick one or two things to green up your projects and go from there. You do not have to go to the extreme in order to have a green remodel. Keep these small and quick tips in mind and you can green up your remodeling project without overwhelming yourself in the process.
Low-E Windows filled with Aragon Gas -
You may not immediately think of it, but one of the easiest ways that you can go green is through the use of these windows. They allow you to significantly reduce heat gain because they reflect light during the summer months, and they help to keep heat inside during the winter months as well. If you make these windows your standard replacement windows, you can actually save money for homeowners and can reduce their reliance on artificial heating sources that produce harmful greenhouse gasses.
High Efficiency Furnaces -
Another area that you can easily sell to homeowners is high efficiency furnaces because of the energy payback. If a homeowner has to replace a furnace anyway, why not pay a little bit more if it means getting significant savings in return? Because utility bills are continuing to go up, anything that cuts the use of energy in the home is usually a big seller with homeowners who are looking to remodel.
Paints and Finishes with Low-VOC Ratings -
This one will cost more rather than saving any money for the homeowner, but it is all about improving their general comfort and health instead. These paints do not have any volatile organic compounds in them, preventing home owners from having negative reactions to them.
Dual Flush Toilets -
These are toilets that offer two flushing options; one for liquid waste and one for solid, and they use the bare minimum of water required for each, saving the homeowner a significant amount of money in the process. They offer significant savings over toilets from earlier than 1992, going from the standard of 5 gallons per flush to 0.8 to 1.6 gallons for liquid and solid waste respectively.
Low Flow Fixtures -
There are many faucets and showerheads that exist to reduce water, offering a savings of as much as 25 to 60 percent.
Reconfigure First -
Can you find a way to offer what the homeowner is looking for without requiring additional space? Sometimes the clients believe that they want more space, but really all they require is a space that is more efficiently designed. Smaller homes can use fewer materials and will require much less energy for heating and cooling.
Purchasing Locally -
Increasing how much you buy locally will significantly reduce your impact on the environment, even without changing anything else. One of the biggest ways that a product has an affect on the environment is the transportation of those materials across the state, country or even across the world.
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Originally posted 2009-02-02 05:46:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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