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Remodeling Green
Save the planet even when your budget is lean
By Laura Meyer
Published: Dec 01, 2007
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DEL.ICIO.US
YAHOOThe ultimate green home has many wonderful bells and whistles. It can have solar panels to generate energy, tankless water-heating, advanced irrigation, and graywater recyling systems that repurpose shower-water for irrigation. It can have a roof garden which repurposes weather-related water runoff and helps to insulate and reduce heat. The problem is these energy savers cost beaucoup bucks, and they may not be practical or possible to implement in an already existing home. So, we’ve compiled ten things you can do that will help prevent the depletion of our world’s resources without depleting your bank account:
1) Energy efficiency is the biggest goal in green remodeling. If you’re thinking about replacing appliances, replace them with EnergyStar rated, energy efficient ones.
2) Denim is an eco-friendly fashion statement. No, we’re not talking jeans. One of the best ways to prevent energy waste is by having good insulation. Recycled denim is one of the great nontoxic materials available for insulating your home.
3) Conserve water by putting in low flow toilets, faucets and showerheads.
4) Reduce outdoor lighting by using motion sensors. It will save energy as will the type of lighting used both indoors and outdoors. There are a number of options. Fluorescent bulbs use less energy than incandescent bulbs. LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs use even less than fluorescent.
5) If you’re replacing windows, consider high performance thermal windows that reduce heat loss or gain. These reduce the need to turn on heat or air-conditioning. If you’re not replacing windows, consider looking into solar shades. They significantly reduce heat from the sun shining in.
6) Painting is one of the easiest ways to transform a room. However, you should be aware that many paints contain a dangerous toxin called VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) that gets emitted into the air. So if you’re painting, buy eco-friendly low or no VOC products. They don’t necessarily cost more or that much more than traditional paints. There are many wonderful options out there and you do not have to sacrifice the quality of the color.
7) Choose non-toxic alternatives for caulks, sealers and stains.
8) It’s important to consider using sustainable materials. If you’re replacing flooring, consider eco-friendly products such as bamboo, cork or natural linoleum. Unlike hardwood, which requires the cutting down of trees that can take up to 50 years to grow back, a product such as bamboo is eco-friendly because it matures in as little as six years, regenerates without the need for replanting, and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides.
9) Also consider using materials fabricated from products that have been recycled. For example, there are countertops made from post-consumer recycled paper and tile made from post-consumer recycled glass.
10) One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure. Wood, masonry and stone from previous projects can be bought inexpensively from demolition companies and junkyards. You can prevent these things from ending up in landfills and get the materials at a great cost to boot. You gotta love that!
Laura Meyer is author of Remodel This! A Woman’s Guide to Planning and Surviving the Madness of a Home Renovation and is a sought-after expert in the field of home improvement, appearing as a frequent television and radio talk show guest.
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