Why Go Green ?

There is much hype these days about “Going Green” in many areas of our lives. But what does this mean for the homeowner who is planning a remodeling or new construction project? Going green is all about choices.

First of all, there are no national standards yet for what constitutes green remodeling. “Green” contractors tend to use less energy and water, improve indoor air quality, use sustainable, recycled or used materials, and produce less waste in the process. If the contractor has the training in “green”, he/she will be able to guide the consumer in making choices for the project that will affect the following:

Water Consumption: The average household uses 11 gallons of water per day. New appliances and plumbing fixtures with lower water consumption can be used to replace older dishwashers, washing machines and toilets, reducing water consumption by as much as 30%. A green contractor will help you choose just the right fixtures and appliances for your home.

Energy consumption: Residential Energy Consumption costs close to 300 billion dollars per year in the United States. A green contractor will advise you to purchase Energy Star Rated Products such as HVAC systems, appliances and lighting that can provide energy consumption savings. Using natural sunlight and energy efficient windows and doors as well as higher R value insulation will also cut energy use. Finally, using advanced lighting and environmental control systems help to fine tune energy use.

Indoor Air Quality:  Paints, sealants and adhesives emit volatiles during application and curing and air borne residues can linger long after the project is over. A green contractor will use zero- or low-volatile organic compound (VOC) products to improve your indoor air quality.

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512-215-2120

Austin Texas

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