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Green Remodeling 101
What is green remodeling? Green Remodeling is an all-encompassing approach that emphasizes making a home healthy, comfortable, and efficient. Consideration is give to indoor air quality, energy conservation, resource conservation, reduced material waste, and the use of products that are better for the environment and for people.
What are the benefits of green remodeling? Environmental benefits:
Economic benefits:
Health and community benefits:
Facets of green remodeling Energy conservation The average home today utilizes systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and many homes are not built as efficiently as they could be, all of which results in high-energy consumption. The U.S. Department of Energy believes if current buildings were green-improved, they would use $20 billion less energy per year. Green remodeling puts a strong emphasis on making homes as efficient as possible with modifications like energy efficient windows and doors.
Indoor air quality There are many sources that contribute to the air quality inside a home. They include pollutants brought in from the outside, toxic chemicals existing inside the home, and the activities of the occupants that create pollutants. Major contributors are tobacco smoke, smoke from the burning of wood, coal, kerosene or other such substances, toxic fumes from sealants or chemicals from cleaning products, lead paint, asbestos from insulation, damp carpets or fabrics, and certain pressed-wood furniture products that release chemicals into the air. Green remodeling seeks to remedy these problems with things like better ventilation systems and using wood, paint, and sealants that are nontoxic.
Reduce material waste and resource conservation When remodeling a home, there is often a large amount of construction waste. This amounts to 136 million tons of waste annually, according to the EPA, which in turn makes up 20% of the waste in landfills. Green remodeling focuses on reducing this waste during remodeling and reusing materials whenever possible, as 85 to 90% of materials thrown out can be recycled. Using local materials, building with engineered lumber, and using recycling companies to remove waste are all ways this can be achieved during remodeling.
Environmentally safe products Many products and practices used in remodeling a home have negative effects on the environment. From chemicals and materials that pollute the air to the disturbing of the surrounding landscape, a myriad of actions taken can cause harm. With green, care is given to minimizing or eliminating products that could cause harm to the environment or the occupants during remodeling or after.
Ways to implement green into your home Green remodeling can be done in small ways and doesn't necessarily have to encompass the entire home. It is easy to pick and choose elements that fit each particular homeowner.
Green News!Energy-Efficient Home Improvments=Tax Credits!!
Learn More About Going Green...
Information on Energy Star products, how to get a house certified and where to find an Energy Star rater in your area.
National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) Non-Profit organization that provides an unbiased independent rating and labeling of energy efficient windows, doors, skylights, and attachment products.
Resource for energy efficient windows
MN Building Materials Database The Minnesota Building Materials Database is a vehicle to document, evaluate, and disseminate usable information on sustainable materials, products, systems, and services for the commercial and residential building construction industry in Minnesota.
Sustainable Building Products and Materials (MPCA)
High Performance Buildings Database In-depth information and data on high-performance, green building projects across the United States and abroad.
Estimation of CO2 of a whole construction project. |
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