It’s an approach to home improvement with the goal of not only making your house look better, but work better–for both you and the environment. Want a healthier home? Lower utility bills? Reduced maintenance? A cleaner planet? A green remodel helps you realize a range of far-reaching benefits from a single smart design. With careful planning, you can create a home that combines beauty, efficiency, comfort and convenience with health and conservation.

Why Consider a Green Remodel?

- SAVE MONEY

    High-performance designs that save energy and water can reduce the day-today costs of living in your home. Often, the initial expense of professional design services can be quickly recouped with a multitude of benefits. For example, a skilled designer can help you better utilize your existing space, sometimes reducing or even eliminating the need–and expense–of adding more square footage.

- MAKE A HEALTHIER HOME

    By selecting green building materials and finishes, you can minimize–or avoid completely–the introduction of toxic compounds into your home. You can also protect and enhance indoor air quality by using proper construction, ventilation and weatherproofing techniques. Healthconscious professionals can help you safely navigate any hazards you may encounter during your remodel.

- REDUCE ECOLOGICAL IMPACT

    Resource-efficient materials and designs lessen the depletion of our natural environment. A green designer or contractor can help you identify designs and products that will help your homeperform better ecologically, as well as economically.

Decide What You Want

    Just thinking about a remodel can elicit equal parts excitement and terror. Reduce the terror factor by allowing sufficient planning time. One year is usually ideal for coordinating a major remodel, although not always possible. Regardless of your timeline, the first step in the planning process involves defining your priorities and then considering all options carefully

Determine Project Scope

    As a general remodeling rule, extensive projects translate into expensive projects–both economically and ecologically. So if you stick with existing walls, cabinetry, plumbing and electrical layouts, you’ll spend less. You’ll also use fewer resources, and create less waste. Therefore, it’s critical that you discuss your project’s scope with your architect or interior designer. Make scope limitation a priority, and identify strategies for accomplishing your goals with minimal structural modification to your home. Beyond the environmental and financial benefits, this approach also helps minimize disruption caused by a remodel–an especially pertinent concern when you’re trying to live in a space under construction.

- Energy conservation. The average home today uses systems for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and most homes are not built as efficiently as they could be, resulting in high energy consumption. The U.S. Department of Energy believes if current buildings were green-improved, they would use $20 billion less in energy per year. Green remodeling puts a strong emphasis on making homes as efficient as possible with modifications such as 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 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 such as 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: 136 million tons of waste annually, or about 20% of the waste in landfills, according to the EPA. Because 85 to 90 percent of those materials can be recycled, green remodeling focuses on reducing this waste during remodeling and reusing materials whenever possible. Some of the methods are 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.

The benefits of green remodeling include:

• Reduces operating costs in the home by increasing efficiency
• Conserves natural resources
• Increases the value of the home
• Improves indoor air quality and in turn, overall health
• Reduces waste
• Reduces emissions costs
• Increases productivity of occupants
• Improves quality of life

Implementing Green

    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:

• 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
• Native plants for landscaping

    A bath remodel is one of the most expensive upgrades you can make to your home on a per-square-foot basis. A study by the National Association of Realtors estimates the cost of a midrange Philadelphia bathroom remodel (replacing fixtures, vanity and medicine cabinet in a 5’ x 9’ bath, including tile floor and tub surround) at a little over $10,000. An upscale remodel (involving enlarging an existing space, tile floor and surround, top-of-the-line fixtures and counter, plus relocating and partitioning the toilet) is estimated at over $24,000. Such a sizable investment encourages lots of planning and up-front research to ensure you’ll be happy with the results for a long time. The ideal laundry area combines durability, functionality, and efficiency with concern for human and environmental health. Careful decisions about appliances, flooring, cabinetry and fixtures can ensure your laundry is the right mix of these factors. A laundry space can range from its own room to a closet tucked into a bathroom. In both the bath and laundry, you can protect your investment by maintaining it withproducts that are safer for you and the environment.
    Bathrooms, once considered purely utilitarian, are increasingly a place for everything from renewal and pampering to washing the family dog. Such a range of uses requires materials that are beautiful, durable, and impervious to moisture. The bath is also where most of the indoor water is used in a home, and energy is consumed by heating that water, as well as lighting, warming, and ventilating the space.

Tub and Shower Surrounds

    As a surface doused with water several times a day in the average house, shower walls must obviously withstand long-term exposure to moisture. Fiberglass and acrylic enclosures make popular low-cost and easy-to-install options but raise concerns regarding manufacturing processes and durability. Long-lasting tile performs better environmentally, and often economically, when added durability is taken into account.
    If an existing tile surround is in good condition, consider re-grouting rather than re-tiling. This can be professionally contracted, or makes a good do-it-yourself project. A quality, properly installed and maintained tile wall can last as long as the house. Use a concrete backerboard for tile in wet areas. Moisture-resistant gypsum wallboard (often called greenboard and identified by a green paper surface) is not suitable for wet applications such as shower and tub surrounds. Look for solvent-free mastics or thinset mortars.
MATERIAL DESCRIPTION SELECTION TIPS
Glass
- made of various clays, mined from the earth and fired at high temperatures
- usually glazed for additional protection and ease of cleaning
- ceramic glazes often contain lead and other toxic heavy metals; today most toxins are
- excluded from tile glazes in the United States, but some other countries have yet to follow suit
Terrazzo & Concrete
- dates back to Roman times; surviving mosaics from this period attest to their incredible durability
- mosaic tiles (small, usually 1/4”- 1” square) are usually cut from sheets of glass; larger glass
- tiles are often cast (either poured while glass is hot or made by placing ground glass in a mold and heating until fused)
Stone
- cut and honed marble, granite, and slate are common choices
- durable but may require more maintenance than ceramic or glass tile
- many stones like marble and granite require periodic sealing to withstand moisture and staining
- quarried around the world; difficult to assess environmental impact
- look for regional manufacturers and 100% recycled content
- recycled glass tiles manufactured using a sintering process(heated to the point of fusing rather than full melt) use less energyin production
- larger glass tiles are usually irregular in shape, requiring wider grout lines and sanded grout
- water-based grout sealers help keep grout surfaces easy to clean
- avoid sealers with formaldehyde and other toxic substances
- select regional sources
- cut stones allow for narrow grout lines and unsanded grout; tumbled stone often requires wider grout lines which ncreases maintenance
- choose stone that does not require a sealant, or use a non-toxic version
- create a one-of-a-kind shower with salvaged stone or remnants from fabricators
- look for vintage slate at building salvage companies

Showerheads
    Older showerheads can use 5 gallons of water per minute or more. New, low-cost designs save water and deliver plenty of shower power. Models are available that use 2 or even as little as 11/2 gallons per minute (marked 2.0 or 1.5 GPM on the showerhead). Look for designs that deliver water in multiple individual streams rather than mist-like sprays–so water stays warmer, saving energy. Also consider installing a showerhead shutoff valve. This handy little contraption fits between the shower arm and showerhead, and features a button that reduces the shower stream to a trickle while the user soaps up. Also consider handheld showerheads, or showerheads installed on a vertical bar to allow for height adjustment.
    These provide greater accessibility, plus make rinsing down the shower after cleaning a breeze. You may also consider a chlorine filter on your showerhead. These devices remove chlorine from shower water, which otherwise can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin. The health effects of this exposure are debated, but many consider a chlorine filter aprecautionary measure.

Toilets
    Older toilets can be huge water wasters, using as much as five gallons per flush (GPF), while new models are required to use 1.6 GPF or less. The GPF rating is often located on the toilet bowl, just behind the seat hinges. If your toilet was installed before 1992, you’ll save water by replacing it with a new, efficient toilet. Dual-flush toilet models save even more, by giving the user the option between a full or half-flush, depending on flushing needs. Performance still varies widely between low-flow models. Look for a Flush Star qualifiedmodel, independently verified to save water and perform better.

Did you know that a leaky toilet can raise a home’s water bill up to $200 per month?

    The culprit is usually a worn-out or improperly functioning toilet flapper (that rubber device inside the toilet tank that holds water in the tank until it’s needed for flushing), a low-cost replacement part available at hardware stores. Toilets often have silent leaks (which can still easily waste $50 per year), making them very difficult to detect without the use of dye tablets.

Sinks
    Like bathtubs, sinks make great reuse candidates, if they’re in good condition and a style ou like. If not, you can save money and resources by refinishing your existing When buying new, make classic design and durability a priority. Quality sinks should ome with lifetime warranties. Common bath sink choices include
- Enameled cast iron: Cast iron is a durable choice, handling scrubbing well. However, f the enamel chips, it can expose the iron and result in rust. Cast iron sinks are quite ommon at building materials salvage yards, where you can find one at a fraction of the price of new, and create “instant history” or match the period of your bath. Cast iron is recyclable.
- Porcelain: This durable sink choice is made of high-fire clay with a glazed finish.
Easy to clean and classic in appearance, porcelain is an enduring favorite.
- Solid surface: Like solid surface countertops these sinks come in a variety of colors, and can be integrated into countertops. They also suffer the same shortcomings, including being prone to scorching (although small burns can be sanded out) and stains. Solid surface is resistant to scratching from scouring pads.
- Stainless steel: Designers often recommend thicker gauge steel, usually 18 or 16 gauge, but consumer tests found little difference in performance between gauges. A satin finish is better at hiding scratches, fingerprints and water spots than a polished finish. Stainless steel can be recycled. If you are planning on installing dual sinks, consider how much room you have. TheNational Kitchen and Bath Association recommends at least 30 inches of counter spacebetween two bowls.

Faucets
- Since bathroom sink faucets are the most heavily used in the house, durability should be a primary consideration. Look for lifetime warranties and ceramic disc valves (longwearing and easily replaceable if worn or damaged). Remember that lever-handled or single-lever mixer handles are easier to operate than knobs or cross handles. Look for faucets that comply with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines (marked ADA Approved). As a simple rule, the National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends selecting faucets that can be operated without having to grip and twist. If you’re reusing your existing faucet, see if it can be outfitted with a water-conserving aerator–a device that screws onto the end of the faucet to reduce flow, either by adding air to the stream or directing the flow into multiple small jets. Aerators that deliver waterat rates as little as one gallon per minute are sufficient for most lavatory tasks.

MATERIAL INSTALLED COST/DESCRIPTION/TIPS BENEFITS DRAWBACKS

Save energy
Solar hot water
    Solar hot water systems provide hot water for all domestic needs. Usually configured as panels containing fluidfilled tubes, they capture the sun’s energy and use it to preheat your water heater’s input. In the summer and on sunny days, they can provide enough hot water for all home needs, and then some. Solar hot water systems have a much faster payback than solar electric systems, and work even on cloudy northwest days.
Heat recovery
    Waste-water heat recovery captures the leftover heat that would otherwise escape down the shower drain and transfers it to the cold water entering the water heater. Heat is transferred while keeping the incoming and drain waters separate. By preheating the incoming water, the water heater doesn’t need to work as hard, which saves energy. This system requires access below the shower or tub with enough space to install the unit (the shortest unitis 30 inches long).
Hot water circulating
    Hot water re-circulating systems use a pump to circulate cold water sitting in the hot water pipe back to the water heater, eliminating the need to run the tap until the water warms. They also increase the speed at which hot water is delivered to the tap, saving time and reducing heat loss along the length of the pipe. One unit installed at the point of use farthest from the hot water heater will serve an entire home. Look for versions specifically designed for existing plumbing systems.