Green home remodeling is looking good as utility bills climb. Need new appliances? How about a green kitchen remodel. Look for the Energy Star label on everything.
Lately I've been researching the world of evolving green products, materials, and methods. It's kind of like when you buy a red car, you suddenly notice how many red cars there are? Green home building (and remodeling) is like that. When you dig for the information, it's everywhere.
Going Green with New Construction
The goal of reaching the Energy Star certification is doable, especially with new construction. You might choose to use Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) for your exterior and demising walls. Or, you might choose to go with Sturctural Insulated Panels (SIPs). Either way, the home will be nearly air-tight.
Green Home Remodeling
If your home is already existing, you have to work with what you've got. There are a number of things you can do here. One of the first is a green kitchen remodel. Install more efficient appliances. They'll have the Energy Star label on them. Funny how the first place they seemed to show up was on computer monitors.
How about a green bathroom remodel? The hot thing (so to speak) on the market today is the tankless water heater. It only heats the water when you need it.
How About Attic Insulation?
This is where you get a lot of bang for your buck, and you don't need an insulation contractor to do it! Just buy fiberglass insulation and install it. Don't forget to wear a long sleeve shirt and dust mask. One thing to be careful of is not to cover up the soffit vents.
These are just a few of the things you can do to shave your utility bills. As you begin, be sure to investigate which things you can get a tax credit for.
