It doesn’t matter how large or small your remodeling project may be, there are definitely ways that you can choose to make it green. More and more people are seeing the benefits of going green, and are looking for ways they can pay a role in keeping their earth safe. Anytime Remodeling is here to share some tips to help make your remodel a green remodel.
Consider Alternative Energy During Home Construction
If you haven’t considered solar panels on your home, this is a great time to do so. With rebates and incentives, you could be able to completely payback the cost of your solar panels in under ten years. This is a fantastic way to make your home an eco-friendly environment. You can also consider alternative heating and cooling options with equipment like an air-source heat pump, whole house fans and strategically placed windows to provide natural light without a lot of heat.
Improve Energy Efficiency During Home Remodel
The first thing you need to do to make your home more energy efficient is to perform an energy audit. You may find that your utility company will offer discounts for implementing the auditor’s suggestions. During your remodel, you can perform a blower door test to see where you need more insulation. Any appliances that you are choosing for your remodel, you should look for appliances that are rated for efficiency. You would be shocked to see the savings over the course of an appliance’s life when it is energy efficient. One other consideration you should make about energy efficiency is the amount of square footage you need. If you are planning an addition, remember that the more square footage you have, the more you have to heat and cool. See if you can work with your contractor to rework a space to make it work and leave an addition as a last resort.
Choose Green Materials when Remodeling
Many of the materials used in a remodel are filled with chemicals that most people don’t want to have in their house. Some of the materials that you should be most aware of are: caulking, paint, adhesives and flooring choices. These may need to come from a specialty supplier to ensure they aren’t full of formaldehyde and other VOCs. When it comes to the materials used in your remodel, you should try and use as many recycled materials as is possible. Things like wood for flooring, rock or bricks, countertops and much more can sometimes be repurposed materials.
Whole Home Remodeling, Room Additions & More in Agoura Hills, Reseda, Tarzana, Valley Village, North Hollywood, Encino, Studio City, Beverly Hills, Van Nuys & Sherman Oaks & West Los Angeles, California
The first thing you need to do when making your remodel a green one, is to choose the right builder. Builders like Anytime Remodeling, offer green remodeling services to help make your home more energy efficient and eco-friendly. If you aren’t sure where to start in your green remodel, our design team will sit down with you and help you formulate the best laid plan for your home and budget. Call us today!