NAHB Remodelers says Go Green
Home Owners Encouraged to Go Green on Remodeling
May 7, 2007 – During Home Remodeling Month
this May, NAHB Remodelers is encouraging home owners to go green
with their remodeling projects – conserving natural resources and
improving indoor air quality while saving money on their utility
costs.
"It’s not just feeling good about the
environment, but feeling good in your pocketbook," said NAHB
Remodelers Chair Mike Nagel, CGR, CAPS, a remodeler from Chicago. "Green
remodeling offers tangible benefits for consumers, including significant
savings on utility bills."
According to the U.S. Department of Energy,
home owners can save $600 or more per year on utility bills by upgrading
appliances, windows and insulation to Energy Star?-rated products.
Home owners can also save money on their
water bills by retrofitting their homes with water-efficient fixtures
– saving up to $175 annually, according to the Environmental Protection
Agency’s WaterSense program. Examples include aerators for faucets,
tankless water heaters and low-flow or dual-flush toilets.
"In some older homes, the costs for
these upgrades can be completely offset by the savings on the utility
bill. It’s that big," Nagel said.
The federal government also offers a $500
tax credit for energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, HVAC
and other upgrades. The credit expires at the end of 2007.
NAHB Remodelers offers some simple additional
tips for minimizing a home’s energy use:
- Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent
or LED lights. Their longer life and low energy use quickly make
up for their higher cost. - Pick up some programmable thermostats for your heating and cooling
system and timers for your lights. - When planning new outdoor space, consider installing native plants
– xeriscaping – in your new landscaping and cut down on irrigation
needs. Look for permeable pavement to allow rainwater to seep into
the ground rather than load the stormwater systems.
