Green Remodeling Saves Energy, Improves Health and Increases Home Value, Says Money Pit Hosts

Sunrise, FL, May 28, 2011 --(PR.com)-- These days, it’s not only easy and hip to be green─green remodeling just plain makes sense. Rising energy costs, concerns around human health, and the knowledge that our planet’s resources are waning are all driving awareness and inspiring smart solutions, products and services for green remodeling projects.

“With the help of environmentally friendly contractors and some thoughtful planning, green remodeling and renovations can actually increase the value of your home improvement projects,” says Tom Kraeutler, host of the nationally syndicated home improvement radio show The Money Pit.

Just about any home of any age has the potential to become green, and there are many possible shades of green to suit your next big home improvement project.

Why Green Remodeling Matters

Green remodeling benefits both you, in terms of a healthier home environment and lower costs, and the environment in which you live.

“If you don’t think one small green remodeling project can have an impact, just consider the Sustainable Building Industry Council’s finding that housing alone consumes 20 percent of our country’s energy,” notes Kraeutler. “By taking a green approach to remodeling, you can lower your home’s energy consumption by 30 to 50 percent.”

What’s more, if you incorporate recycled materials or sustainable wood species into a green remodeling project, you’ll help the forests of the world to keep on contributing to the earth’s oxygen supply.

What’s Involved in Green Remodeling

Remodeling professionals are actively developing green remodeling guidelines to steer design, planning and the use of resources for home projects of all sizes, and that makes it easier for you to find the help you need.

Participants in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s (NARI) Green Program, for example, help homeowners to plan green remodels and renovations with the following principles in mind:

· Energy conservation: The average home pits heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems against an overall structure with built-in inefficiencies, so such modifications as energy-efficient appliances, thermostats, and home envelope adjustments can trim household needs and conserve precious resources.

· Indoor air quality: Everything from outdoor pollutants to the off-gassing of floor coverings impacts the purity of your indoor environment. Green remodeling seeks to remove such impacts through better ventilation systems and the use of nontoxic building materials.

· Reduced material waste and resource conservation: “Construction waste is a big deal with even the smallest remodel, so anything that can be done to reduce its impact and increase opportunities to recycle and reuse is welcome,” advises Kraeutler. “Building with engineered lumber and incorporating local materials also make a difference.”

· Environmentally safe products: Several remodeling products and practices have the potential to harm the environment, whether through air pollution or direct disturbance of the natural landscape surrounding a home. With green remodeling, care is taken to minimize or eliminate elements that could cause such harm to either the environment or occupants during and after the project.

Green remodeling is made even easier by resources like the U.S. Green Building Council’s consumer site, www.greenhomeguide.com, with room-by-room tips for sustainable solutions and green building news from your local metropolitan area. Besides fantastic inspiration for planning your own green remodel, you’ll also gain the kind of project understanding that can break down any green-building language barriers before creating your project strategy with a home improvement professional.

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