Today’s green movement seems to have sprung more from resource conservation than energy conservation, appearing more sustainable than the 70’s cousin. Today, sustainable design looks more like the house next door than a science experiment gone wrong. Remodelers and the construction industry, as a whole, have become both target and coordinator to meet homeowners' increasing demands for green products and craftsmanship without breaking the budget.
So How Big is Green Remodeling?
According to
a NAHB Remodelers survey:
- 87% of remodelers already incorporate low-emissivity windows into their projects, 70% upgrade existing insulation and 60% install argon gas windows
.
- Over 80% of remodelers use alternatives to dimension lumber to minimize the amount of lumber taken from old-growth forests, such as recycling from previous structures and using engineered lumber
- 91% of remodelers use energy efficient windows and 86% install Energy Star® rated appliances.
- 70% of remodelers already incorporate recycled or recyclable materials into their projects.
- 72% of consumers report energy efficient features in a home would influence their purchase decision.
- 61% of consumers would spend more than $5,000 upfront to save on utility costs.
- The U.S. has about 125 million single family homes with the majority built before energy efficiency developments, suggesting a huge market for green remodeling
Why Remodelers?
Remodeling
a home is the perfect opportunity to incorporate sustainable systems and
practices. When working with an existing building, it typically takes fewer resources
to make a home more environmentally friendly. Sustainability at its best, capitalizes
on the energy and materials that have already been invested into making your
house a home.
A holistic
approach to green remodeling encompasses indoor air quality, energy
conservation, resource conservation, reduced material waste, and the use of
products that are best for the environment. Remodeling does not always involve
the entire home, with green design, it is easy to pick and choose elements that
fit each particular situation and homeowner.
We, as remodeling
contractors tend to resist change. A good remodeler wants the best for their
clients, during the remodeling process and for years to come. Taking chances on
new technologies can carry considerable risk. Remodelers cannot afford to remain
on the sidelines much longer; the sustainability movement has gained momentum. Green remodeling, in its purest form, is about craftsmanship and sustainable building systems. That is where we, the remodeling industry can set ourselves apart
