Energy Efficient Renovation & Remodeling
Planning a Healthy, Energy-Efficient Renovation
If you own an older home, an energy efficient home renovation can save on your utility bills and help keep you comfortable. Fifty percent of a home's energy use comes from heating and cooling, so replacing your existing equipment with new highly efficient systems can substantially lower your utility bills.
Renovation offers many opportunities to make a home healthier and more energy-efficient and to improve its overall comfort. The time to consider these options is during the planning process, before buying materials or starting work.
Pre-Renovation Inspection
Goal: Determine the condition of the home and what needs doing, and setting priorities.
- Building inspection by certified home inspector
- Energy assessment
- Environmental assessment
- Equipment inspection: heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water, etc.
- Electrical/fire inspection
Kitchen
Goal: Save water and energy. Improve air quality.
- Restricted-flow taps
- Energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights
- Energy-efficient appliances
- Energy-efficient lighting and task lighting
- Low-maintenance, durable flooring (tile, linoleum, hardwood, ceramic)
- Low-emission countertop (solid surface, laminates)
- Low- or no-VOC paints
- Low-emission cements, grouts and caulking
- Range hood vented to the outside
- Area ventilation
Bathroom
Goal: Save water. Control moisture and air quality.
- Low-flow toilet, showerhead and faucets
- Low-maintenance, durable, non-slip flooring (tile, linoleum)
- Low-emission countertop (solid surface, laminates)
- Waterproof wall finish
- Low- or no-VOC paints
- Low-emission cements, grouts and caulking
- Energy-efficient windows and skylights
- Energy-efficient lighting
- High-efficiency exhaust fans
Living, Dining and Bedroom Areas
Goal: Save energy. Improve the air quality and reduce dust. Increase comfort.
- Energy-efficient windows and exterior doors
- Programmable thermostats
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Area lighting
- Automatic timers and dimmer switches
- Low-emission, easy-maintenance flooring (hardwood, cork, marble, ceramic)
- Carpeting and area rugs from natural or recycled material
- Low- or no-VOC paints and varnishes
- Low-emission cements, grouts and caulking
Basement
Goal: Control moisture and air quality. Eliminate mold.
- Determine and deal with sources of mold (repair, replacement, etc.)
- Mold treatment with warm water and detergent
- Air and moisture sealing of walls
- Moisture and soil gas sealing of floors
- Upgraded insulation
- Ventilation
- Reduce concrete floor dust with water-based wax sealer
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Natural light with high-performance windows
- Low-emission finishing materials
Mechanical Room or Area
Goal: Save energy. Control air quality. Minimize water contaminants.
- Energy-efficient, sealed-combustion and correctly sized heating equipment
- Energy-efficient hot water tank
- Energy-efficient furnace fan motor
- Separate, direct air supply for equipment
- Insulated hot water pipes
- Air filtration and humidification/dehumidification
- Whole-house ventilation system (heat recovery ventilator)
- Effective, balanced, sealed ductwork or distribution system
- Water purification system
Attic
Goal: Save energy and increase the comfort of the whole house.
- Upgraded insulation
- Air sealing and vapor barrier
- Weather stripping and insulating attic hatch
- Ventilation
Frame and Structure
Goal: Prevent moisture infiltration. Improve air quality. Increase comfort. Reduce noise and dust.
- Insulation (recycled content)
- Air sealing (windows, doors, electrical outlets)
- Va pour barrier
- Framing, sheathing, underlay: low-emission, resource-efficient
- Drywall with recycled content
The Exterior
Goal: Reduce maintenance and replacements. Reduce moisture problems.
- Low-maintenance, durable exterior finishes
- Low-maintenance trim, soffits and fascia
- Air and moisture sealing
- Long-lasting roofing
- Eavestroughing
- Drainage away from the foundation
- Chimney flashing
- Properly located air intakes and exhausts for systems and appliances
- Effective lighting for safety
- Roof overhang for shading
- Ice dam prevention
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2008 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 29 million cars — all while saving $19 billion on their utility bills.
When you live in an ENERGY STAR qualified home, you'll have:
- 30% lower energy bills than homes built to minimum state energy code requirements.
- Lower maintenance costs - Your home will be more air-tight and better ventilated than an ordinary house. That means you'll avoid moisture problems, like sweating windows, paint failure, mold growth, structural damage, and ice dams.
- Healthier indoor air. Proper ventilation means less risk of mold, mildew, dust mites, or back-drafting from combustion appliances.
- Greater comfort - You'll eliminate drafts and have greater control of indoor temperature at lower energy costs.
- Assurance - Your home will be approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency as ENERGY STAR qualified.
- Pride - You'll be helping to protect the environment. By saving energy, you'll reduce power generation air pollution.
- Greater resale value - For all of the above reasons.
ENERGY STAR Links:
- Clothes Washers
- Dishwashers
- Refrigerators
- Central Air Conditioners
- Boilers
- Furnaces
- Programmable Thermostats
- Water Heaters
- Lighting
Call today for a quote on your remodeling or renovation project: 802-362-3127