Showing posts with label eco-friendly home improvements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eco-friendly home improvements. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Things You May Not Know About Green Home Improvements
Important Considerations BEFORE You Make the Green Plunge!By now, we’re all pretty familiar with the term “going green.” When it comes to home improvments and remodeling, however, there are a few facts that you may not have considered. Before you decide to undertake a green home upgrade, it’s important to have all the information.
Protected Trees and Tree Farms
The phrase “tree-hugger” has long been used as a slightly derogatory description of an individual who is environmentally conscious. The implication is that people who care about the natural world are against any practice or industry that disrupts organic processes—like cutting down trees. It’s sort of ironic, then, that one of the greenest construction materials you can buy is wood harvested from tree farms. Farmed trees are cultivated and grown specifically to supply American construction demand; this means that indigenous, protected, or endangered trees are left alone.
Think Global, Buy Local
This mantra has been associated with eco-consciousness for some time, but when it comes to home remodeling it’s an important consideration. You may spend months researching the most environmentally responsible building materials, but if those items have to travel by ship, train, and truck over thousands of miles to get to you, what have you really accomplished? The greater the distance a product has to travel, the more energy it takes to get it to its final destination. Measuring the impact of transport is difficult, so it makes sense to shop as close to home as possible.
What’s the easiest way to do this? Compare prices. It seems simple, but often the price of materials is a good indication of how far it’s had to go to get to your local supplier. You’ll pay more for items that have be shipped all over the globe during the manufacturing process, while materials produced and fabricated closer to home will usually cost less.
Green Today, Green Tomorrow?
Maintenance is an important consideration if you’re thinking about green remodeling. While that natural marble countertop you’ve chosen may seem like the most eco-friendly choice now, you’ll have to frequently reapply sealant that contains high levels of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) to keep it looking great. You can buy zero-VOC marble sealant, but it’s significantly less effective than the nasty stuff. Artificially engineered stone, on the other hand, may seem like an “un-green” choice, but it requires no sealant and minimal upkeep, making it the more environmentally responsible option in the long run.
Residential fencing is another area where the greenest choice is not always apparent at the outset. Based on information we provided earlier, it may seem like wooden fencing is the best option. However, wood exposed to the elements has to receive yearly treatments with high VOC sealants to keep it looking presentable; this means you’re releasing harmful toxins into the air year after year. It may seem that aluminum or vinyl fencing takes a bigger toll on the environment initially, but when you consider how little maintenance they need (a spray with the garden hose or a high pressure wash every couple of years) there’s really no comparison.
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The bottom line is that green isn’t always easy to figure out. If you are truly dedicated to total green remodeling, be sure to consult a qualified professional who can help you make the most informed choices.
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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Financing Options to Help Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
We all want to do our part to help the environment and cut down on rising utility costs. But for many homeowners, green alternatives and upgrades are simply too expensive to be realistic. However, now is an excellent time to consider making eco-friendly home improvements, as an array of financial incentives is bringing these alternative energy systems into the mainstream for buyers, sellers and homeowners.If you’re in the market for a new home, you may be able to get more for your money when you consider homes with energy-efficient upgrades like solar heating or tankless water heaters. These systems mean lower utility costs every month, which leaves more room in your budget for a slightly higher mortgage payment.
If you plan to stay in your home but are looking for a way to save on monthly energy bills, you may qualify for state or federal tax credits or special financing that will help you make energy-efficient improvements. These upgrades will reduce your utility costs and benefit the environment.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, any energy-efficient upgrades you’ve added can mean a higher asking price. Eco-friendly homes are an increasingly popular segment of the real estate market and as more home buyers look for energy-efficient properties, those upgrades are becoming an appealing selling point.
If you need financing to make energy-efficient upgrades to your home, you can get the funds you need through either a government-sponsored program or a traditional lender. Certain states even provide special programs for residents who qualify, so it’s smart to begin your search with your state’s department of energy to find out what’s available in your area.
There are also special mortgage programs that can help you afford energy-efficient upgrades. Called EEMs, or energy-efficient mortgages, these programs allow both homeowners doing new construction and those making improvements to an existing structure to obtain financing. EEMs make it possible to purchase or refinance a home that’s already certified energy-efficient, or to purchase or refinance a home that will be energy efficient after certain upgrades are made. Most lenders offer both kinds of EEMs; you may also qualify for home-improvement loans that will help defer the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.
In order to qualify for these special mortgage programs, most lenders require homes to have an energy-efficiency rating. These ratings are based on an inspection by a certified professional and tell lenders how energy efficient your home is.
The energy rater will check all the features of your home that relate to its energy consumption. This includes windows, insulation, heating and cooling systems, water heaters, and ductwork. You will receive a report that includes your home’s energy rating, as well as an estimate of your yearly energy usage and spending. The report sometimes includes suggestions for improvements you can make to boost your home’s energy-efficiency and the costs of those upgrades, along with an estimate of the annual savings and return on investment of making changes.
Check Out These Resources from the Federal Government:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Energy Efficient Mortgage
Home Owner Guide - Energy Star - Energy Efficient Mortgages
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