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Remodeling Goes Green

Consumers want their remodeling projects green and remodelers are answering the call, according to recent research by NAHB Remodelors released at the National Green Building Conference in St. Louis earlier this year.

"The only way to bring green into 120 million existing households is through remodeling," said NAHB Remodelors Chair Mike Nagel, CGR, CAPS, a remodeler from Chicago. "Americans spent over $230 billion last year in home remodeling, with energy-efficient and sustainable products representing an increasing share of the market."

More than one quarter of remodelers surveyed by NAHB saw growing demand for green remodeling late last year, compared to just 6% reporting declining demand. The majority of remodelers already incorporated energy efficiency into their work. Nearly all (85%) have said they used low-energy windows, 68% used insulated exterior doors, 65% upgraded insulation and 56% installed high-efficiency HVAC systems.

The survey also showed that many remodelers use environmentally friendly products. For example, more than 75% of those surveyed said they were contributing to minimizing harvesting from old-growth forests by using alternatives to dimensional lumber, like engineered wood. Additionally, 65% said they already incorporate recycled or recyclable materials into their projects.

For the first time, the National Green Building Conference held remodeling educational courses for contractors. One of those instructors, Michael Strong, CGR, CAPS, GMB, a member of the NAHB Green Building Subcommittee, discussed the emerging trends within the industry.

"Energy efficiency continues to lead the way, but for items beyond appliances, the installation matters as much as the product," Strong said. "Simply putting in that low-E window doesn't solve the problem. Home owners need to look at the whole room and eventually use a whole-house approach to maximize efficiency."

NAHB Remodelers offer a "Top Eight" list for home owners:

  • Install maximum insulation in the area to be remodeled.
  • Install high-efficiency windows instead of those that just meet the energy code.
  • Seal all exterior penetrations in the area being remodeled.
  • Purchase only Energy Star®-rated appliances.
  • Install only low-flow water fixtures.
  • Upgrade to an Energy Star®-rated water heater, or better yet a tankless water heater.
  • Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford.

Back home in central Iowa, Center on Sustainable Communities (COSC), a two-year-old non-profit focused on residential green building, is assisting the market shift toward green. Providing ongoing education and resources to remodeling professionals and homeowners alike, they are empowering everyone to make greener choices for their projects. As Lynnae Hentzen, Executive Director and co-founder of COSC states, “we encourage everyone to do what they can to incorporate green elements based on their personal priorities. For some, that involves steps toward energy efficiency, but for others, resource conservation or healthy indoor air quality is more important.”

One of the myths surrounding green is that it is always more expensive. Some options can have higher upfront costs such as better quality insulation or a geothermal system, but the long-term savings can be significant. If salvaged or locally manufactured materials are used, these costs can often be lower. The design and planning process helps consumers to discern the many choices that result from remodeling ‘green.’

COSC has an ongoing schedule of topic specific lunch-and-learns, hands-on and professional training workshops, green home tours and open houses. They also serve as a resource for connecting homeowners to professionals from all sectors of the green building marketplace. They have a sample showroom with a number of alternative products on display.

The Des Moines metro area is fortunate to have a strong number of remodelers who have taken an interest in green construction, received training and gained necessary expertise to assist homeowners in making green choices. To learn more, visit COSC’s web site at www.icosc.com or call 515-309-3266.

This growing trend toward energy efficiency, resource conservation and improved indoor air quality spans from coast to coast. Many local remodeling firms are leading the way in central Iowa toward a cleaner and more sustainable future with each new project.