Remodeling INAFCS: Green Remodeling 5432 Winthrop Ave. Indianapolis, IN Gary Vickrey, Owner

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

LUTRON LIGHTING

RECYCLED COUNTERTOP

UPHOLSTERY-RECYCLED

LIVE/GREEN ROOF

TOILET/SINK COMBO

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  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 QualitySelections

BAMBOO FLOORING

RUBBER FLOORING

MARMOLEUM FLOORING

CARPET TILES- RECYCLED

What you Need to know: Bamboo  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 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. ProsCons

BAMBOO WALL COVERINGS

Green paint options  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. Pros of Low/No VOCCons of Traditional

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