In honor of Sunday’s celebration of Earth Day I decided to write about “green” homes. In a previous blog I detailed my first tour of a “green” home. I found the house to be clean, comfortable, airy, and certainly energy-efficient. I could see myself living in a highly environmentally correct dwelling, though remodeling my current home to get it up to “green” standards may be a challenge.
If I went “green” I would do so from scratch. During my tour I learned that constructing a “green” home is not as difficult as many believe. Like any construction project, it takes planning, but it also takes the ability to locate a contractor who is proficient in green building. He or she will be able to get you the unique materials you need to construct your dream “green” home. After all, flooring made of bamboo, cabinet doors made from acacia trees, and cabinet boxes made from hay-based board are not your run-of-the mill requests.
Neither are these other “green” features:
· An On-Demand Water Heater. It eliminates the need for a tank of hot water to be kept heated at all times. Most accompany a solar water heater installed on the roof. Working in conjunction with each other they can provide 40 gallons of hot water for free each day.
· Extra-strength insulation in the wall and attic
· Formaldehyde-free flooring and cabinets
· Natural linoleum floors in the bathrooms
· Energy Star Appliances
· Double-flush toilets that use only the amount of water needed per job
· Energy-efficient windows
· Skylights in the hallways, which cut down on the need for daytime artificial lighting
· Green Seal-certified paints, which emit fewer toxins than standard paints
· Energy-efficient lighting in closets and under the kitchen cabinets, plus compact fluorescent bulbs
If you are remodeling your current home to meet “green” standards another way to continue the “green” theme is to make arrangements for your demolition waste to be diverted away from a landfill. Some suggestions include installing used floors in another home, donating some building materials to Habitat for Humanity, and giving used appliances to the Salvation Army.
Related Articles:
Remodeling With A Hint Of “Green”
Going Green-Part 1: What is A Green Home?
Going Green Part 2—“Green” Paint