What is this new “Green” remodeling? Some people will say it is
conserving energy, others will say it is recycling materials removed from your
project to lower the load on land fills and using renewable materials and
resources. Still others are only worried about indoor air quality. Actually we
believe it is a combination of all three. We can work with you to accommodate
your needs. If it is a kitchen, bathroom, basement or even an addition, we have
several completed projects with a combination of all these items. We are building
more and more of these types of projects and are also incorporating these ideas
into every project we do, whether the clients ask for it or not.
Two of us have taken the NARI’s
Green Remodeling pilot course and will are signed up for the Certification
course that will be starting in the fall of 2007.
Did you know?
The built environment has a profound
impact on our natural environment, economy, health and productivity. In the
United States, buildings account for:
- 36% of total energy use/65% of electricity consumption
- 30% of greenhouse gas emissions
- 30% of raw materials use
- 30% of waste output/136 million tons annually
- 12% of potable water consumption
Breakthroughs in building
science, technology and operations are available to designers, builders and
owners who want to build green and maximize both economic and environmental
performance. Environmental benefits:
- Enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity
- Improve air and water quality
- Reduce solid waste
- Conserve natural resources
Economic benefits:
- Reduce operating costs
- Enhance asset value and profits
- Improve employee productivity and satisfaction
- Optimize life-cycle economic performance
Health and community
benefits:
- Improve air, thermal and acoustic environments
- Enhance occupant comfort and health
- Minimize strain on local infrastructure
- Contribute to overall quality of life
LEED®, the "Leadership in Energy
& Environmental Design" Green Building Rating System, is the nationally
accepted standard for green buildings developed by the USGBC membership. For
more information please visit www.usgbc.org
Green doesn’t necessarily mean more
expensive or ugly. The following pictures are of a project where we were able to
stay on budget and still make a dramatic improvement in appearance and
serviceability. |