ENERGY EFFICIENT REMODELLING
When choosing which renovations to undertake, most homeowners neglect ways to reduce their energy consumption and costs. Our team can educate you on how the long-term paybacks of sustainable construction and green technology can offset the upfront costs.
Sustainable construction applications can provide not only the look that a consumer is looking for, but also provides cost-effective solutions to problem areas in a home. These problem areas can be addressed through an easy process called an Energy Audit. This audit helps determine how your home consumes energy and detect where it’s being wasted. This analysis can help prioritize your efficiency upgrades in order to achieve a 5-30% reduction on monthly energy bills, saving you considerable amounts of money over time.
FINANCING
Many homeowners would love to implement energy efficient techniques and technologies in their home, but just don't know how to finance it. An Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) is home loan that allows a homeowner to finance energy efficiency improvements to their existing home. These loans are supported by the U.S. federal government through the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) or Veterans Affairs (VA) program.
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To learn more about energy-efficient financing click here.
WAYS TO GREEN YOUR HOME
AIR-SEALING
One of the most important things a homeowner can do to help maximize energy efficiency is sealing the various cracks and openings in a home.​ Reducing the amount of air seepage, both in and out, of a home is an economical way to cut utility costs, increase comfort, and improve indoor air quality.
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Techniques to reduce air-leakage include, but are not limited to:
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Caulking & weatherstripping doors and windows
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Caulk & seal air leaks for plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring
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Adding/upgrading attic and wall insulation
WINDOWS & DOORS
Windows and doors can account for up to 25-30% of heat loss in a home. Upgrading from aluminum to vinyl framed windows can help reduce heat transfer, thus improving the energy efficiency of your home. Additionally, replacing old windows with multi-paned windows (i.e. double- or triple-paned) can usually result in a 25-50% savings on energy bills.​
APPLIANCES & FIXTURES
Upgrading old appliances and fixtures to new Energy Star certified ones can help reduce energy bill costs.
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Such appliances can include:
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High efficiency on-demand water heaters
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High-efficiency furnace and A/C units
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Low-flow fixtures (i.e. toilets & shower heads) and appliances
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Energy Star kitchen and laundry appliances
LIGHTING & DAYLIGHTING
Homeowners can easily reduce their energy consumption by switching old incandescent bulbs to either compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or LED bulbs. With traditional incandescent bulbs, 90% of the energy is given off as heat. The simple act of switching incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can save a homeowner 75% electricity used by lighting. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star LEDs use only 20–25% of the energy and last 15 to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
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Another option is to implement daylighting – the creation of natural light and temperature regulation through the use of windows and skylights. By strategically placing windows, one can simultaneously maximize the amount of natural light in a home, while also minimizing the need for artificial light (without disrupting temperature regulation).
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SOLAR PANELS
Solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) systems can effectively produce energy, which then can be used for your home's energy consumption. Various tax credits and rebates exist to help finance the expense of solar panels.
GREEN MATERIALS
The application of sustainable building materials has many advantages. Mainly, they reduce or eliminate toxins (i.e. carcinogens or VOC’s) that a released into the air of your home. This leads to a healthier and more comfortable living environment.
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Additionally, many green materials minimize waste through the use of reclaimed or recycled materials. Not only do these materials look good, but they are durable and give an owner a sense of pride that their home is helping reduce its negative impacts on the environment.
