Going Green in Home Remodeling!

Energy Conservation

  • The average home today utilizes systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and most homes are not built as efficiently as they could be, all of which result in high energy consumption.
  • The U.S. Department of Energy believes if current buildings were green-improved, they would use $20 billion less energy per year.
  • Green remodeling puts a strong emphasis on making homes as efficient as possible with modifications like energy efficient appliances and thermostats that can be programmed at different temperatures for different times of the day.

Indoor Air Quality

There are many sources that contribute to the air quality inside a home. They include pollutants brought in from the outside, toxic chemicals existing inside the home, and the activities of the occupants that create pollutants.

Major polluting contributors are tobacco smoke, smoke from the burning of wood, coal, kerosene or other such substances, toxic fumes from sealants or chemicals from cleaning products, lead paint, asbestos from insulation, damp carpets or fabrics, and certain pressed-wood furniture products that release chemicals into the air.

•Green remodeling seeks to remedy these problems with things like better ventilation systems and using wood, paint, and sealants that are nontoxic.

•Reduced Material Waste and Resource Conservation

•When remodeling a home, there is often a large amount of construction waste. This amounts to 136 million tons of waste annually, according to the EPA, which in turn makes up 20% of the waste in landfills.

•Green Remodeling focuses on reducing this waste during remodeling and reusing materials whenever possible, as 85 to 90% of materials thrown out can be recycled.

•Using local materials, building with engineered lumber, and using recycling companies to remove waste are all ways this can be achieved during remodeling.

•Environmentally Safe Products

•Many products and practices used in the remodel of a home have negative effects on the environment. From chemicals and materials that pollute the air to the disturbing of the surrounding landscape, a myriad of actions taken can cause harm.

•With green, care is given to minimizing or eliminating products that could cause harm to the environment or the occupants during remodeling or after.

ll green remodeling proves to be very beneficial for homeowners.

Green Remodeling:

•Reduces operating costs in the home by increasing efficiency

•Conserves natural resources

•Increases the value of the home

•Reduces waste

•Reduces emissions costs

•Increases productivity of occupants

•Improves quality of life

Ways to Implement Green Into Your Home

•Green remodeling can be done in small ways and doesn’t necessarily have to encompass the entire home. It’s easy to pick and choose elements that fit each particular homeowner such as:

•Non-toxic paints and sealants

•Programmable thermostats

•Energy efficient appliances

•Natural flooring

•Local building materials

•Natural fiber rugs and fabrics

•Recycled material roof shingles and tiles

•Energy efficient lighting

•Insulated hot water pipes

•Tankless water heaters

•Quality insulation

TIPS ON GOING GREEN

Of course, not every homeowner wanting to get a green renovation off the ground will have such a rich support system. Still, Michele and Michael’s experience raises issues every remodeler needs to deal with. Here are five things to keep in mind when planning yours.

Think realistically about square footage.

Consider how much space you really need, not just how much you want. After all, truly eco-friendly means using as few new materials, and creating as little waste, as possible. “A lot of people think their house has to be big enough for a Super Bowl party, even if they’ll never use the space except for that one event,” says Michele. To add just two small bedrooms, a second bathroom, and a modest study/library, she and Michael chose to bump up the attic, raising the roof by a mere 6 feet and leaving the house’s footprint intact.

Adding unnecessary square footage doesn’t just result in the excessive use and disposal of building materials—you also have to factor in the extra heating, air-conditioning, electricity, and furniture you’ll need to service the living space. If you can’t give up certain amenities, let rooms do double duty—a laundry room that’s also a pantry, say, or a home office that converts to a guest room.

A good place for any green renovator to start is the local utility company, which may offer information along with incentives and rebates (dsireusa.org, a Department of Energy?sponsored website, provides state-by-state breakdowns of these). State and local government websites may also contain advice and links to resources. You might also want to attend a green building show, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s annual conference. And there are more and more books and articles (including TOH‘s own Green House column) that introduce readers to green philosophy and developments.

Stay open about your choices.

How green do you want to be? If your goal is simply an energy-efficient house, you can focus on Energy Star appliances, on-demand water heaters, high-efficiency insulation and windows, and solar technology. If you want to take it a step further, you might consider sustainably harvested woods, reclaimed lumber, salvaged fixtures, and rainwater collection.

Even as you keep up with the latest materials, your selections may be influenced by what’s available nearby. While materials can be ordered over the Internet, you’ll have to factor in shipping costs and the environmental cost of the fuel used to transport them.

Aesthetics, too, come into play. “We were originally opposed to Hardiplank fiber cement siding, even though it’s a green material, for the addition because we thought it wouldn’t blend in with the house’s original 80-year-old long-leaf pine,” says Michael. “But today’s stock lumber is so soft it would probably rot in about five years. Bill showed us that fiber cement could be a good match.”

Think big, but start small.

Sometimes—no matter how good your intentions—your sense of responsibility to the environment has to play second fiddle to your budget. In other words, expect to make some concessions. Michael and Michele’s $250,000 budget meant they had to make some tough choices. For example, solar panels that heat water—often considered the best use of solar power—came off the table due to the cost. Instead, the couple is going with an on-demand water heater, which is more efficient with their gas heating.

Remember, going green doesn’t require you to incorporate costly extras if you can’t afford them. “A lot of my clients think that green building means installing solar panels and rainwater collection systems,” says David Webber. “But it can have just as much to do with the insulation you use and the efficiency of your AC unit.”

In other words, start with the small stuff, choosing the greenest versions of the things you absolutely must have in the house, while staying on budget. Then—and only then—reconsider your budget if there’s something more you feel adamant about having. Let’s face it, being green often means using materials that are initially more expensive. But, as Webber says, “If we can do things today that are better for all of us tomorrow, it’s worth the extra expense.”

and People use-and waste-more water in the bathroom than in any other room in the house. Add all that water use with polluting soaps and shampoos, the energy used to heat the water, and more-and your bathroom could be doing damage to the environment.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many things you can do to bring a little green into your bathroom. Here are just a few.

Energy-efficient light bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are 90% more efficient than incandescents. Incandescent bulbs lose most of their energy as heat-which makes them a fire hazard as well.

The best lighting for a bathroom is bright enough to let you shave or apply makeup without squinting, but soft enough to look flattering while you do it. Choose bright white energy-saver bulbs, and soften the light by hanging them at eye level on either side of the mirror or putting them behind frosted glass.

Dual-flush toilets. Most new toilets use about seven or eight litres of water every time you flush. Older toilets use 9-12 litres. However, you don’t need this much water to flush a toilet.

If you want to save water, replace your toilet with a dual-flush model. Dual-flush toilets have one flush for water waste, and another for solids. Naturally, you need less water to flush water waste.

Faucets that conserve water. Leaky faucets waste millions of litres of water per year, and cost you money as well. To prevent leaks in your bathroom taps, replace your old fixtures with self-closing taps that shut off the water as soon as you stop pressing a button. This ensures your water isn’t left on while you brush your teeth or shave, and it keeps your faucet from leaking.

Think green in the shower. We waste a great deal of water in the shower-plus massive amounts of energy used to heat the water we waste. If you want to save water and save the planet at the same time, consider installing a low-flow showerhead or an air shower.

A typical showerhead delivers 25 litres of water per minute, while a low-flow showerhead delivers only 6 to 15. Cut your shower time in half and use a low-flow showerhead, and you’ll save a great deal of water.

If you really want to save water, however, consider an air shower. An air shower device can be attached to your existing showerhead. It pumps each water droplet full of air. This makes each water droplet bigger, so it feels just as wet and strong as a typical showerhead. Studies show that air showers can cut your water use by an additional 30%.

Recycled tiles. If you’re redesigning your bathroom from scratch, choose recycled materials such as reclaimed glass tiles. Glass is completely water-resistant, making it a great choice for bathroom walls, flooring, and countertops.

Choosing glass makes good ecological sense as well. Each glass bottle recycled saves enough energy to run a 100-watt bulb for about four hours. In addition, glass accounts for about 6% of all landfill waste and takes over a million years to break down.

Heat your water efficiently. Most people wait until their water heater breaks down to buy a new one. This puts you in the position of having to find one quickly, without the luxury of shopping around. But if you take your time in finding the right water heater, it could pay off in the long run.

The most common type of water heater is a storage heater: a big storage tank that’s constantly heated. Because it’s always kept warm, this type of heater loses energy even when it isn’t used. However, there are some new models that are designed to minimize standing heat loss.

If you want a truly efficient hot water heater, however, look for a tankless heater or a solar heater. A tankless heater passes water pipes directly through the boiler, while a solar heater uses the sun’s energy to heat water. Both of these will cost more to install, but they will cost less to run.

Use nontoxic shampoos and soaps. Many ordinary soaps and shampoos contain chemicals that could put your health at risk. There are many carcinogenic chemicals in deodorants, soaps, shampoos, and body sprays. Some of these persist in the environment, build up in the food chain, and return to haunt us long after they’ve gone down the drain.

Be skeptical of products labeled “natural;” under current marketing legislation in the U.K., only 1% of a product needs to be naturally derived in order to use the label. Look for soaps and shampoos that don’t use artificial fragrances-essential oils are fine, however. Avoid mineral oil, which is just another name for petroleum oil. In addition, choose soaps and shampoos that use minimal, biodegradable packaging.

Making your bathroom more eco-friendly doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Making a change in the soaps you use, limiting your time in the shower, and installing water-efficient fixtures can make a big difference. Whether you plan a few simple changes or a big overhaul, a greener bathroom is within your reach.

Bamboo makes an excellent flooring product. Although it is usually classified within the hardwood family, bamboo is not a hardwood – it is a grass. The features and benefits that make it an excellent flooring product are:

  • hardness
  • durability
  • beauty
  • environmental friendliness

Strength and Durability

When looking at a cane of bamboo it may seem flimsy in appearance, yet its surface is actually 25 percent harder and it is just as strong as Red Oak the hardwood most often used in flooring. Its durability and impact resistance is unmatched as Bamboo has a harder surface than Rock Maple.

Installed bamboo contracts and expands 50 percent less than most other hardwoods making it a perfect floor in most environmental conditions.

Colors and Grains

Bamboo has two primary colors. Its natural color is a blonde hue that highlights the unique grain characteristics, and growth patterns. In order to create an amber tone bamboo, the product is smoked allowing the carbonization of the grains which then take on a caramel or amber hue throughout the cane.

Bamboo is milled both in the vertical and horizontal direction. When milled in the vertical direction the individual nodes (the characteristic joint in a bamboo cane) are not as bold providing a very even grain and coloration consistency. When milled horizontally the individual nodes, are highlighted creating an aesthetically enhanced grain pattern.

Environmental Qualities

Because bamboo is a grass not a tree, its growing cycle allows for harvesting every five years. Harvesting bamboo does not kill the plant it is the same process as cutting your grass, unlike the harvesting of a tree, which does kill the plant. Bamboo is considered the fastest growing plant in the world. It provides a yield more than 25 percent higher than any hardwood species.

An extremely hardy plant, bamboo grows in areas that have been overgrazed by animals and does not require modern day agricultural techniques to ensure its continuous survival.

By using bamboo as your flooring of choice, you are choosing one of the strongest and most durable products available that still provides you with a luxurious finished product that will last for decades and has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly.

ealCork trees are a variety of the oak tree species. While most other wood or grass (bamboo) flooring materials are made by utilizing the stalk of the plant, cork is the outer layer of bark. Harvesting the bark of the cork tree is environmentally friendly, as it does not kill the plant. In fact, cork trees grow a fresh layer of harvestable bark every six years. The cork tree can continue to grow new bark for decades if not centuries. Very little of the harvested bark goes to waste.

No other material has the visual detail that is found in cork flooring. It is an excellent flooring material in both homes and offices. Cork has been used as a floor covering for many centuries because of its durability and appearance.

Durability and Resilience

Cork provides resilience and comfort. Unlike many of the ceramic flooring materials, standing on cork does not lead to sore and stained calf muscles. Many people believe that cork is soft, elastic, can be compressed, and hence should not be used if you want a long life floor. This not correct and the proof is that there are many century old European estates that still have their original cork floors. When cared for properly, as is necessary with any hardwood flooring, it is capable of providing decades of service.

An excellent flooring material for both kitchen and bathroom floors, cork is extremely resistant to any penetration by a liquid and it provides a non-slip surface (somewhat dependent on how it has been finished). Note: Cork should be sealed when installed as a kitchen or bathroom floor.

Health Benefits

Cork is naturally hypoallergenic and antistatic. Homeowners who are concerned about the allergenic effects of any building materials should consider cork as it resists the growth of mildew and mold and will not attract pollen or dust particles. Cork floors are easy to maintain and do not release fibers nor do they emit any toxins into the air making it an excellent flooring for individuals with respiratory ailments.

Insulating Properties

Cork has outstanding insulation characteristics. Its naturally low thermal conductivity provides a barrier to excessive heat or cold. It reduces energy costs in both heating and cooling. Its thermal properties make it an excellent flooring over above or below grade cement subfloors. Even without under floor heating a cork floor is warm to the touch. An excellent solution to cold, basement, family room floors.

Building and Remodeling: What Does Green Mean?

There is a lot of chatter, these days, about “going green” in homebuilding and remodeling, but what does “green” really mean? House hunters and homeowners wanting to make a positive environmental impact are finding that green can mean virtually anything a marketer says it does. As with every other growing consumer trend, a variety of marketers have discovered the sales boost a green claim can give, and it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish facts from hype.

No universal standard yet

It would certainly be helpful if there were an “official” definition for what makes a building, project, or product “green,” but, at this point, there isn’t. At least, not yet, but it’s coming. The National Association of Homebuilders is working on a national greenbuilding standard, and they have certified several hundred contractors in greenbuilding practices. There are also organizations that provide levels of certification for homes and remodels built with green features, such as the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council with its LEED certification program. Similar certification programs exist in many states, and even in some municipalities. For consumer appliances, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the ENERGY STAR™ rating system. However, the “green” field is so wide, that with many products and materials, and even with some supposedly “greenbuilt” homes, consumers are still on their own in determining the legitimacy of green claims. The caveat here is the same as with any other type of consumer purchase: whether you’re purchasing a new home or planning to remodel your existing home, doing thorough research up front will help you make choices you’ll be satisfied with, not just when the project’s done, but for years to come.

Common features of greenbuilt projects

Despite the absence of a universal standard, greenbuilt projects do tend to have a number of features in common. If you want your own project to create a positive impact — on the environment, on your comfort and health, and even on your utility bills – you now have more choices than ever in eco-friendly designs, methods, and materials. Generally speaking, if your project can incorporate one or more of the following features, you’re on the right track.

  • Site the project in such a way that:
    • The new structure will make use of natural heating and cooling principles such as shade and passive solar.
    • The construction process and the building itself have a minimal adverse impact on the site.
  • Reuse an existing structure rather than build a new one.
  • Deconstruct rather than demolish, if all or part of an existing structure must be replaced.
  • Reuse materials from the old structure where possible.
  • Consider using salvaged materials from other sources.
  • Use materials made from recycled content where possible.
  • Recycle as much project waste as possible.
  • Use building materials efficiently.
  • Use energy efficiently:
    • Incorporate insulation into structural members (e.g., structural insulated panels) as well as walls and attic.
    • Use low-e (low emissivity) windows.
    • Use a high-efficiency heating/cooling system.
    • Design to recycle waste heat.
    • Design-in lighting fixtures that utilize fluorescent or halogen bulbs, rather than incandescent bulbs.
  • Choose materials and products with low or no toxic emissions (e.g., wall board, cabinets, carpets, paint and other finishes).
  • Choose sustainably harvested natural products (e.g., wood products that are certified sustainably harvested, bamboo flooring, carpets made of natural fibers).
  • Choose materials, where possible, that come from local sources (e.g., local quarries for stone, or anything that didn’t have to get shipped long distances).
  • Use water efficiently:
    • Use water-saving appliances, such as low-flow or dual flush toilets and a tankless water heater.
    • Design to recycle wastewater (greywater systems).
    • Design to capture and store rainwater (sometimes called rainwater harvesting).
    • Choose landscaping that is climate-appropriate (e.g., if you’re living in a permanently arid climate, consider xeriscaping instead of sod).
    • If you choose landscaping that will need irrigation, design-in a drip, soaker, or emitter system controlled by a climate-sensor and timing device.

Choose what’s right for you

There’s room for flexibility. “Going green,” says energy writer Marilyn Lewis, “can mean anything from where and how you build a home to the appliances and materials you pick, to strategies for cutting water and energy waste.” Whether you’re planning a whole house remodel or a one-room project, if you can’t do as much as you’d like because of budget or other considerations, heed Lewis’s advice: it’s OK, you can be “a little bit green.” Know what you want out of your new space, and do your “homework.” Even a few carefully chosen features can help lower your operating costs, improve your family’s comfort and health, and increase the resale value of your home.

Green Glossary

Use this handy glossary to better understand terms often associated with green building and remodeling.

Agricultural fibers ~ Fibrous materials resulting from agricultural operations. Cotton fibers, for example, are beginning to see use in insulation applications.

 

Air-sealing ~ The sealing of cracks and holes in a home’s envelope to prevent uncontrolled movement of air.

Compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) ~ A compact-size fluorescent light bulb designed to fit into the same socket as a regular incandescent bulb. Fluorescent bulbs last 8-10 times longer than incandescents and use 3-4 times less energy.

Cotton insulation ~ Insulation made from recycled cotton-textile trimmings that is treated with a fire-retardant (non-toxic) and sold in the form of batting sized to fit between framing studs.

Deconstruction ~ When an existing structure cannot be reused as is, the traditional practice is to demolish it and cart the collapsed remains off to a landfill. Deconstruction, on the other hand, is the careful disassembly of the building into its component parts, which allows many of those parts to be reused or recycled.

Double-glazed window ~ a window with two panes of glass separated by an air space. Some double-glazed windows contain a gas between the panes that further increases the window’s insulative value.

Drywall ~ Wallboard made with gypsum. You can now find drywall products made with recycled gypsum content.

Dual-flush toilet ~ See Toilet.

Energy Star ~ A program sponsored jointly by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency that promotes energy-efficient products and practices for homes and businesses. The program rates certain consumer products for energy efficiency (via the Energy Star label), and makes tax credits available for certain home improvements and certain high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. Tax credits are also available to consumers through the program for certain cars, solar energy systems and fuel cells. The program also provides tax incentives to residential and commercial builders for incorporating energy saving products and practices into their projects.

Engineered Wood ~ A range of derivative wood products made from fibers, chips, strands or veneers bonded with adhesives to form composite materials. Engineered wood products include structural members such as I-beams, floor and ceiling joists, framing studs, and sheet products such as fiberboard or particleboard.

Envelope ~ The boundary that separates a building’s conditioned and unconditioned spaces. The term is usually used when referring to heat and air transfer, such as through walls, windows, and the roof. All of these are part of the building’s envelope.

Formaldehyde ~ Chemical symbol: CH20, formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas or liquid with a wide range of uses that gives it a ubiquitous presence in our everyday lives. It’s used as a tissue preservative in medical labs and embalming fluid in mortuaries; it’s produced by burning wood, kerosene or natural gas; it’s present in automobile exhaust and tobacco smoke; it’s also used “as a preservative in some foods, and as an antibacterial ingredient in cosmetics, household antiseptics, medicines, dishwashing liquids, fabric softeners, carpet cleaners, lacquers, and wood products. It is used as a preservative in some paints, paper coatings, and cosmetics; in the permanent press coating on fabrics; in carpets; and in some foam insulation materials.” It’s used industrially, in “the manufacturing of other chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, latex rubber, photographic film, and preservatives; in glues and adhesives for pressed wood products such as particle board and plywood; in leather tanning; and as an industrial fungicide, germicide, and disinfectant.” The National Toxicology Program lists formaldehyde as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Long-term exposure is linked to cancer of the nose and throat. Exposure to high levels of formaldehyde, whether through ingestion, the lungs, or the skin, can cause a variety of severe reactions, from severe allergic reactions, to convulsions and death. Exposure to even low levels of formaldehyde can cause respiratory problems, aggravation of asthma, and in women, menstrual disorders. Formaldehyde is also referred to as a VOC (volatile organic compound). See VOC in this glossary for more information.

Green building ~ Also known as sustainable building or environmental building. According to Wikipedia, green building is “the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use and harvest energy, water, and materials, and reducing [the impacts of buildings] on human health and the environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal – the complete building life cycle.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building)

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ~ Administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED® is a “voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.” There are LEED ratings (project certification) for commercial and residential construction, as well as for specific applications such as “neighborhoods, and specific applications such as retail, multiple buildings/campuses, schools, healthcare, laboratories and lodging. The LEED Green Building Rating System™ standards emphasize “state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.”

Low-E (low-emissivity) window ~ Allows daylight to pass through the window but reduces the flow of heat through it.
Offgas ~ The release of vapors (VOCs or other chemicals) from a material through evaporation or chemical decomposition. Many buidling materials and furnishings offgas, such as some structural panels, paints, cabinetry (walls and veneers), carpets, upholstery, and wall coverings. That “new home” smell is usually attributed to offgassing and, in fact, can represent less than optimal indoor air quality. More and more manufacturers are offering low-or no-VOC alternatives.

Passive solar ~ See entries for active and passive Solar heating, below.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) ~ Used extensively in building and consumer products and in industrial applications, PVC is a family of plastics derived from vinyl choride. The issue of PVC manufacturing and disposal continues to generate controversy.

Reclaimed materials ~ Materials that are no longer needed where they are that are reused in a new location or for a new purpose, for example, wood and other materials that are salvaged from a building under demolition or deconstruction and used in the construction of a new building.

Renewable energy ~ Energy generated from renewable resources such as sunlight, wind, and agricultural products.

SEER (seasonal energy efficiency) ~ Energy efficiency rating for air conditioners. The higher the SEER number, the more energy efficient the air conditioner.

Siting ~ The process of selecting where and how a proposed structure will be situated on the land. This process is as important as the components of the building itself and should, ideally, take into account such factors as landscape, soil, vegetation, water supply, and the position of the sun relative to the site at different points during the day. Good siting avoids unnecessary disturbance to the environment during and after building, and among other factors, takes advantage of natural light and existing vegetation for interior illumination and temperature moderation, requiring much less energy use over the life of the structure.

Solar heating, active ~ A heating methode whereby heat from the sun is absorbed by a collector and pumped to a storage unit for controlled distribution, or to the interior of the structure directly.

Solar heating, passive ~ A design approach that considers factors such as siting, window placement, and wall and floor materials to allow a building to collect and store heat from the sun, and then release that heat gradually to help warm interior spaces.

Solar water heater ~ A method of heating water whereby heat from the sun is collected into a storage unit (see Solar heating, active); the heat is conveyed to the building’s hot water system via a heat exchanger.

Sustainability ~ As defined by the World Commission on the Environment and Development, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Toilet, Dual-flush ~ A toilet that conserves water by the use of two-different settings, one that uses less water for liquid waste removal, and another that uses more water for solid waste removal.

Toilet, Macerating ~ A toilet that uses a rapidly rotating cutting blade to liquefy human waste and toilet paper. The waste is then mixed with flushing water and pumped into a sanitary sewer or septic system as a fine slurry. Macerating toilets are used where a conventional gravity flow installation is not workable, such as where the main drainpipe is too far away or the toilet will be situated below the drain line (i.e. garages, basements). Macerating toilets use very little water (less than 2 gallons) per flush.

VOC (volatile organic compound) ~ A class of organic chemicals found in a wide range of building and home-furnishing products that readily release vapors at room temperature and upon exposure can cause reactions such as eye and throat irritation, headaches, and nausea. Also see Formaldehyde.

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Selected Topic: Energy Efficiency – Insulating Paint

Appliances • Bathrooms • Cooling & Heating • Energy Efficiency • Flooring • Landscaping • Planning • Roofing

Put in Section of Painting

Insulate Your Home With A Coat Of Paint!

By Bill Prudehome

What is the best material to use for heat and cold insulation in your home? The fact is that the material that the insulation is made from is not what provides the heat and cold barrier. It is the air that is trapped in the insulation that provides the thermal barrier that keeps you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Each type of insulation, whether it is a foam product, fiberglass batts or shredded paper provides different sizes and numbers of air pockets within them. That is why crushing insulation or pushing insulation into a crevice is counterproductive, it removes the air pockets, which is what provides the thermal barrier.

Now you can paint and insulate at the same time!

A relatively new product to enter the market provides air pockets within paint. The principle of the product is based on a complex blend of microscopic hollow ceramic spheres. Each ceramic sphere has a vacuum inside it, similar to mini thermos bottles. By mixing the ceramic spheres into paint it creates a product that provides enhanced insulation and saves you energy and money.

The paint, with its ceramic additive has proven to increase the “R” insulation level of walls and ceilings. While use of the product on interior walls is extremely beneficial, its use on exterior walls is even more dramatically effective since it blocks the extreme heat of the sun.

The ceramic materials have unique energy savings properties that reflect heat while dissipating it. The hollow ceramic microspheres reflective quality affects the warming phenomenon called “Mean Radiant Temperature,” where heat waves from a source such as direct sunlight cause a person to feel warmer even though the actual air temperature is no different between a shady and sunny location. It is the molecular friction within the skin caused by the sun’s radiant energy waves, which makes the mind think that the body is warmer. The ceramic microspheres in the paint refract, reflect, and dissipate heat.

The performance of the additive when mixed with light colored house paint can reduce exterior solar radiant heat gain into a home and interior heat loss from a home by over 20%. Summer heat gain through a building’s exterior walls can be reduced by over 20%. Winter heat loss through interior walls can drop to the point where a once chilly room is now a pleasantly comfortable one – making your home more comfortable in the winter, and summer!

The product is available as a premixed paint or it can be purchased as an additive.

  • What is Green Remodeling?
    • NARI’s approach to teaching Green Remodeling is an all-encompassing approach that emphasizes making a home healthy, comfortable, and efficient. Consideration is given to indoor air quality, energy conservation, resource conservation, reduced material waste, and the use of products that are better for the environment (and for people).

Why Go Green?

  • It’s easier on the earth, it lowers costs, and it provides a healthier home in which to live. According to the Sustainable Building Industry Council (SBIC), housing alone consumes 20% of America’s energy.
  • Homeowners who choose to remodel green can lower their energy consumption by 30-50%. It’s widely agreed that forests produce 40% of Earth’s oxygen, and that building supplies use 25% of its forests.
  • Remodeling green by incorporating recycled materials or sustainable species will help homeowners to tread more lightly on Earth’s natural resources.
  • Green remodeling is becoming more popular as homeowners consider health issues, skyrocketing energy costs and Earth’s natural resources.

NARI President Everett Collier, CR states, “Remodeling Green offers every homeowner the opportunity to reduce home energy demands, lessen home maintenance costs, and increase comfort. Remodelers are increasingly exploring green remodeling principles for their overall value for their clients and for the sake of the environment.”

The new Green Program at NARI helps remodelers do just that. “If a remodeling contractor seeks to develop knowledge and skill in the area of green remodeling,” says the Chair of the Green Education Sub-Committee, Chris Donatelli, CR, CKBR, “the NARI Green program will help realize those goals. This program thoroughly educates the contractor who desires to focus on environmentally friendly remodels.”

  • Energy Conservation
    • The average home today utilizes systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and most homes are not built as efficiently as they could be, all of which result in high energy consumption.
    • The U.S. Department of Energy believes if current buildings were green-improved, they would use $20 billion less energy per year.
    • Green remodeling puts a strong emphasis on making homes as efficient as possible with modifications like energy efficient appliances and thermostats that can be programmed at different temperatures for different times of the day.

Indoor Air Quality

  • There are many sources that contribute to the air quality inside a home. They include pollutants brought in from the outside, toxic chemicals existing inside the home, and the activities of the occupants that create pollutants.
  • Major polluting contributors are tobacco smoke, smoke from the burning of wood, coal, kerosene or other such substances, toxic fumes from sealants or chemicals from cleaning products, lead paint, asbestos from insulation, damp carpets or fabrics, and certain pressed-wood furniture products that release chemicals into the air.
  • Green remodeling seeks to remedy these problems with things like better ventilation systems and using wood, paint, and sealants that are nontoxic.

Reduced Material Waste and Resource Conservation

  • When remodeling a home, there is often a large amount of construction waste. This amounts to 136 million tons of waste annually, according to the EPA, which in turn makes up 20% of the waste in landfills.
  • Green Remodeling focuses on reducing this waste during remodeling and reusing materials whenever possible, as 85 to 90% of materials thrown out can be recycled.
  • Using local materials, building with engineered lumber, and using recycling companies to remove waste are all ways this can be achieved during remodeling.

Environmentally Safe Products

  • Many products and practices used in the remodel of a home have negative effects on the environment. From chemicals and materials that pollute the air to the disturbing of the surrounding landscape, a myriad of actions taken can cause harm.
  • With green, care is given to minimizing or eliminating products that could cause harm to the environment or the occupants during remodeling or after.

Overall green remodeling proves to be very beneficial for homeowners.

Green Remodeling:

  • Reduces operating costs in the home by increasing efficiency
  • Conserves natural resources
  • Increases the value of the home
  • Reduces waste
  • Reduces emissions costs
  • Increases productivity of occupants
  • Improves quality of life

Ways to Implement Green Into Your Home

  • Green remodeling can be done in small ways and doesn’t necessarily have to encompass the entire home. It’s easy to pick and choose elements that fit each particular homeowner such as:
    • Non-toxic paints and sealants
    • Programmable thermostats
    • Energy efficient appliances
    • Natural flooring
    • Local building materials
    • Natural fiber rugs and fabrics
    • Recycled material roof shingles and tiles
    • Energy efficient lighting
    • Insulated hot water pipes
    • Tankless water heaters
    • Quality insulation