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5432 Winthrop Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46220 Gary Vickrey, Owner 317.339.6096. Remodeling. INAFCS: Green Remodeling. Topics to discuss. Why go Green? What makes a product Green? What is Green remodeling? How Green do you want to be Most common products
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5432 Winthrop Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46220 Gary Vickrey, Owner 317.339.6096 Remodeling INAFCS: Green Remodeling
Topics to discuss • Why go Green? • What makes a product Green? • What is Green remodeling? • How Green do you want to be • Most common products • Cost comparisons- Green vs. Traditional materials • Ideas for making your home more Green • Resources and information
The Green market • Growing market built by: • Consumer interest to support the environment • Companies offer products that solve problems & meet design goals at affordable prices. • It is critical to be educated in this new direction!
Why go Green? • Save money on energy & water • Reduce exposure to toxic chemicals • Increased awareness of environmental responsibility • Save limited resources • Reduce waste/landfill • Reuse products and recycling • Promote sustainable products
What makes a product Green? • Energy efficiency • Reduction in water use • Use less or non-toxic chemicals in production • Minimize particle emissions to improve Indoor Air Quality • Prevent VOC= Voctile Organic Compound and off gassing • Ratio of recycled content
What is Green Remodeling? • It is a wide spectrum- defined by your goals • By choosing any higher efficiency product over a less efficient product your home will be more “Green” and more efficient than before • Industry standards for home and commercial • LEED certification (US government agency) • Green Certified Remodelers (NARI)
What does LEED certified mean? • LEED= Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design • US Green Building Council point based certification program for new home and commercial construction projects. • 4 levels of LEED: certified, silver, gold, platinum • Commercial buildings use 60% of US energy, so increasing LEED certified buildings support reductions in energy dependence & save money.
Green Certified Remodelers • NARI- National Association of Remodeling Industry created Green Certified Professional (GCP) standard: • Full time remodeler for 5+ years • Used green products, practices in jobs for 3+ years • Completed 16+ hours of green/sustainable continuing education • Pass comprehensive exam
Most Common Green Products • Lighting, LUTRON • Compact Fluorescent Light- CFL • Flooring • Recycled content • Paint • Low/No VOC • Wall coverings • Recycled countertops • Energy Star Appliances • Fabric-recycled • Green insulation • Soy Based • On demand water heaters • High efficiency windows/doors • Low E, double pane • Live Roofs • “Green Roofs” • Low-Flow toilets & shower systems
Lighting- Green Options • Options to improve lighting efficiency: • Add a dimmer switch to existing • Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL • CFL- compact fluorescent light last 10x longer & use 75% less energy • LED Incandescent lighting is not as available for home use yet, same benefits as CFL • Designing task specific lighting, such as under counter, can reduce overhead light use
Green flooring options Quality Selections • What to look for: • Endurance, comfort, style, • lower toxicity • socially responsible manufacturing • installation & recycle when it’s replaced • Combine those issues with cost to select best option • Bamboo, Cork • Rubber • Marmoleum, made of natural materials • Recycled glass • Hardwood: salvaged, & certified • Natural Fiber Carpets: wool, jute, sisal
What you Need to know: Bamboo Pros Cons • Bamboo is the best selling Green flooring • Quick renewable resource- can grow 1’ per day. • Mature & harvestable after 3-4 years vs. Hardwood Trees mature 20-120 years • Stronger than Cherry • 80% grown in China- high petroleum costs to deliver • What pesticides & chemicals are used in growing & sealing? • Has the bamboo been allowed to mature? • Immature bamboo dents and chips easily… soft.
Green paint options Pros of Low/No VOC Cons of Traditional • Low and no VOC paints are of equal quality and price equal to a medium grade paint • Near $20-30/gallon. • Most paint companies offer low/no VOC • Most colors are still available • Traditional paint contains Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) • VOC’s off-gas for over a year • Creates Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) issues.
The Cost of Green • Perceived vs. actual increase in cost vs. Traditional • Quality varies across price ranges • Prices are often same at comparable quality • Degree of “purity" can increase price • Match your goal to the product • Calculate future cost savings • Value placed on “intangibles”, like the environment • Wide range 0% to 100% of a product being green
Low Cost ways to Green your home • Trade incandescent light bulbs for CFL • 5 bulbs can save 50% off annual lighting bill • Wrap ducts to insulate & reduce heat loss • Add more/better attic insulation to R-38 • Ensure windows are weather tight • Replace faucets/showerheads with low flow options • cut water usage by 20,000 gal/yr & save 10-16% water heating costs
Low Cost ways to Green your home • Install programmable thermostats • Save up to $100/yr • Plant native plants, reduce lawn area • Buy Energy Star rated appliances • Washer: uses 55% less water, 50% less energy/load save $110/yr • Refrigerator: uses 20% less energy than conventional
Bottom line on Green • Personal choice • What are your objectives? • Many things are simple to implement & cost little • Other areas, require some research to find the product to meet your goal & your budget • Educate yourself- the internet is full of helpful sites • A qualified remodeler can help