| All of a sudden everyone is waking up to the fact | | | | save energy.o Gas ovens with new electronic |
| that carbon emissions and our American lifestyle in | | | | pilotless ignition instead of a pilot light will be 30% |
| general are destroying the planet and making us, with | | | | more efficientthan one with a pilot light. A gas |
| each passing day, more energy dependent on | | | | appliance uses much less energy than an electric one. |
| Venezuelan or Middle Eastern oil. So when we | | | | Because of this a gas appliance costs about half to |
| undertake a general or partial interior remodeling, | | | | operate.o A self-cleaning oven has more insulation |
| what should we keep in mind? And will "going green" | | | | and therefore is cheaper to operate.o For electric |
| help us to be healthier as well? | | | | cooktops there are several choices: Solid disk |
| LEED for Homes as well as the Florida Green Building | | | | elements and radiant elements underglass take longer |
| Coalition both deal with these issues through a point | | | | to heat up and use more electricity. More efficient |
| system for certifying green houses. What can we | | | | than conventional electriccoil elements, induction |
| learn from these two systems and apply them to | | | | elements require that you use only iron or steel pots |
| interior remodelings? | | | | and pans. |
| FOUR MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS | | | | Aluminum cookware will not work with induction |
| For my money there are four things which are going | | | | elements.o The range hood should ventilate to the |
| to do more to make an interior remodeling energy | | | | outside and not simply re-circulate. This is for |
| efficient: | | | | healthreasons and not energy reason. |
| 1. A very high energy efficient rating (SEER) for the | | | | CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE LUMBER |
| air-conditioning system | | | | Certified sustainable lumber is obtained from a |
| 2. Adding windows whenever possible to provide as | | | | sustainably managed forest. The two best know |
| many rooms as possible with cross-ventilation | | | | certifying organizations: the Forest Stewardship |
| 3. Ceiling fans | | | | Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative. |
| 4. Overhangs over all the windows or planting shade | | | | RECYCLED CONTENT DRYWALL |
| trees outside the windows. | | | | If there is a local source for recycled drywall, use of |
| Then, after these 4 points, there are many which | | | | this product will make the remodeling greener. |
| are also very important. | | | | ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING |
| NO AIR-HANDLER OR DUCTS IN | | | | Using eco-friendly flooring for the remodeling goes a |
| NON-CONDITIONED SPACE | | | | long way to a "green" status:o Bamboo flooringo |
| No air-handler or ducts in non-conditioned spaces such | | | | Cork flooring.o Natural linoleum.o Floor tiles made from |
| as attics or garages. This is important both for health | | | | recycled glass or other 100% recycled content |
| reasons and energy efficiency. If ducts are placed in | | | | materialo Reuse of salvaged wood.o Domestically |
| non-conditioned spaces, the ducts, which have small | | | | produced hardwood materials from sustainably |
| leaks, will lose cool air through these small openings. | | | | managed forests.o Concrete (stamped, stained, |
| The air handler, if put in this kind of space will take in | | | | etc.)o Recycled content carpet/carpet pad and rugso |
| hotter air and have to work harder than if it were in | | | | Natural content carpet/carpet pad and rugs: Carpets |
| an air-conditioned space. | | | | rugs must be composed of 100% naturalmaterials |
| Also, using mastic compound to seal all ductwork | | | | such as wool, jute, and hemp. |
| connections provides a seal that is much less prone | | | | CONCRETE WITH FLY ASH |
| to failure than tape. | | | | Concrete with 18% of the total cement composed |
| EFFICIENT WINDOWS | | | | of fly ash or blast furnace slag can be used where |
| Tinted windows with a high-efficiency rating are also | | | | concrete is used except in structural elements. |
| an important element in maintaining a comfortable | | | | LOCALLY PRODUCED MATERIALS |
| temperature within interior spaces. | | | | Materials that are produced in the local area use |
| ECO-FRIENDLY INSULATION | | | | much less energy to transport than materials that are |
| Insulation in the attic is another very important | | | | produced on the other side of the world and have to |
| element in cooling the interior environment. All | | | | be flown, trucked, or shipped to the job. |
| remodelings should consider providing new | | | | ENERGY STAR ADVANCED LIGHTING PACKAGE |
| eco-friendly insulation in the attic of any | | | | Energy Star ceiling fans, indoor lighting fixtures and |
| air-conditioned spaces. Four types are as follows:o | | | | bulbs can save energy in the long run. Use these |
| Recycled cellulose insulationo Recycled cotton denim | | | | whenever possible. |
| insulationo Recycled mineral wool insulationo Recycled | | | | GREYWATER USE |
| perlite composite board | | | | Water use can be conserved by reusing domestic |
| SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM | | | | wastewater from any source except toilets and the |
| A large portion of a home's energy use is dedicated | | | | kitchen sink-this includes laundry, shower/bath, |
| to water heating. If an interior remodeling is going to | | | | faucets, and dishwasher. It can also include air |
| include areas which use plumbing, a solar water | | | | conditioner condensate. Reusing greywater for |
| heater should be considered. Fifty to seventy | | | | landscape irrigation presents an exciting opportunity |
| percent of an average household's hot water needs | | | | for water conservation. Most water consumption in a |
| can be provided at low cost with a modestly sized | | | | Southern home is for irrigation of landscaping. |
| solar water heating. | | | | Although this can be done theoretically, some building |
| LOW FLOW SHOWERHEADS | | | | departments have not adopted codes which allow |
| Showerheads and faucets be rated at a maximum | | | | this system to be installed. |
| flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute at 80 psi water | | | | AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATE REUSE |
| pressure. There are available fixtures on the market | | | | Air conditioner condensate can also be considered a |
| today that exceed these standards. Laminar flow | | | | source of greywater. Annual air conditioner |
| controls may also be used that deliver a precise | | | | condensate volume can average between 1500 and |
| volume of water at faucets, showerheads, and hose | | | | 3500 gallons. Inexpensive purification devices are |
| outlets. Unlike conventional water-saving fixtures that | | | | available that make the water useable for pool |
| deliver varying flow rates in responseto varying line | | | | refilling, irrigation, or make-up water for water-cooled |
| pressure, fixtures equipped with laminar flow controls | | | | air conditioning units. |
| deliver a constant rate. | | | | RAINWATER HARVESTING |
| NO GARBAGE DISPOSAL | | | | A system for harvesting rainwater can be installed |
| If there is a kitchen remodeling in the project, | | | | and the water can be used for toilet flushing. |
| avoiding the installation of a garbage disposal will | | | | CENTRAL DEHUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM |
| make the remodeling greener. Garbage disposals are | | | | In addition to controlling humidity and comfort, most |
| notorious water wasters. | | | | central dehumidification equipment also permits the |
| DUAL FLUSH OR LOW FLOW TOILETS | | | | intake of fresh, outside air, thereby improving |
| Thirty to forty percent of indoor water use in a | | | | ventilation in the home. |
| home is due to toilet use. Use toilets which exceed a | | | | SOURCE CONTROLo Use zero and low-Volatile |
| flow rate of 1.6 gallons/flush. WaterSense-labeled | | | | organic compounds (VOCs) paints, stains, and |
| products are 20% more efficient that other toilets. | | | | finisheso Use low-VOC sealants and adhesives.o Use |
| ENERGY-EFFICIENT OVEN/RANGE | | | | no exposed urea-formaldehyde particleboard, use |
| Tests on ovens demonstrate that only 6% of the | | | | phenol-formaldehyde resino Minimize carpet use |
| energy output of a typical oven is actually absorbed | | | | A remodeling that covers all these areas is going to |
| by the food. Most of the heat goes into the metal | | | | great lengths to do its part in saving energy for the |
| and surrounding air space. With additional insulation | | | | homeowner and the country, and providing a healthy |
| and tighter door gaskets and hinges, new ovens | | | | environment for the inhabitants of the house. |