Z.Z.Daily Construction

Green remodeling is a distinct trend gaining momentum in the home remodeling industry. When homeowners decide to undertake home improvement projects, green and eco-friendly considerations make sense for two reasons. The energy conservation aspects are good for your wallet and going green is good for the environment.

Creative Green Remodeling Ideas

There are so many creative ways to apply green home improvement ideas. For example, if you enjoy a climate like we do here in Southern California that promotes the integration of an indoor and outdoor lifestyle, consider the following creative application of an outdoor shower.

This concept, courtesy of Jeremy Levine Design, provides an enclosed open-air shower off of the indoor bathroom.  The outdoor shower offers a serene exposure to the open air while protecting your personal privacy.

The green friendly design recycles the shower water into a grey water garden outside. An aesthetic and pleasing lifestyle design that is smart for the environment as well!

photo credit: Jeremy Levine Design

The possibilities for green remodeling concepts are wide-open, but most homeowners choose to start with the basics first. Here are five of the more common green remodeling improvements that you might consider for your next remodeling project.

Five Green Home Improvements That Save You Money

• High Efficiency Heating System – Depending on where you live, heating your home can consume as much as 35% of your overall home energy bill. Today, new high-efficiency heating systems can significantly reduce your heating costs, sometimes by as much as 50%. Look for units with AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency ratings defined by the US Department of Energy) of 90 or better. And don’t forget the insulation in your home. Upgrading your heating system for energy efficiency is a waste if poor insulation simply allows the heat to escape.
• High Efficiency Air Conditioner – If you live in a warm climate, air conditioning is a must have. Surprisingly, air conditioning in the US accounts for approximately 5% of the total energy consumption and costs American homeowners $11 billion annualy. Many of the modern air conditioning systems are designed for much improved energy efficiency and can save significant costs on your monthly energy bill. Energy Star rated units are required to have SEER ratings of 13 or higher. Some of the highest energy efficient air conditioning models on the market today actually have SEER ratings of 20 and higher. Higher SEER ratings means you save more money!
• High Efficiency Replacement Windows – One of the most popular home improvement upgrades, modern energy efficient windows can reduce your home energy usage by as much as 50% year round. And today’s window upgrades will add beauty, comfort, convenience and security to your home. With this kind of energy conservation performance, upgrading the windows in your home can often pay for itself in a few short years. Look for Low-E coatings, multiple-paned windows, insulated frames and remember that proper installation is important to get good results.
• High Efficiency Insulation – One of the often overlooked opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce your monthly bill is home insulation. Don’t make the mistake of putting your investment in high efficiency furnaces, air conditioning systems and windows without attending to the insulation as well. Leaky windows and doors and poorly insulated attics cost you money and are good places to start. A professional can help you determine where your biggest insulation opportunities reside in your home.
• High Efficiency Appliances – your home appliances consume a big chunk of your energy usage each month. Today’s modern appliances, including dish washers, refrigerators, ovens, washing machines and dryers, can reduce energy consumption by as much as 45%. When choosing your appliances, look for the Energy Star rating to determine the level of energy efficiency.

Going green is a smart, win-win move all the way around. You not only save money on your monthly bills, you will benefit the environment and help better preserve our precious resources.

And don’t forget, many of the energy efficient green remodeling upgrades will qualify for tax credits, which make these green improvements even more compelling.

To find out more how you can benefit from green remodeling, contact Z.Z. Daily Construction today!

Tags: green home improvement, green home remodeling, green remodel, Green Remodeling