| These days, everyone wants to do their part to help | | | | to keep in mind the climate that you live and the |
| the environment and cut down on waste. There are | | | | needs of your home. |
| many obvious ways to do this, such as recycling or | | | | It is also advisable to think green when selecting the |
| buying a hybrid car. There are other less obvious | | | | products that you will use in your renovation. Not all |
| ways that can make a big impact. One of the best | | | | materials are created equal, as many contain |
| ways to conserve energy and, as a result, save | | | | products that are harmful to the environment. Try to |
| money in the long run, is by doing a green home | | | | stick to products that are long-lasting, and contain |
| renovation. While this may seem like a daunting | | | | recycled material that is eco-friendly. Also, by |
| undertaking, with the right planning, it can be a | | | | selecting products that are durable, you avoid having |
| relatively stress-free project that results in both | | | | to replace them, and as such, are able to cut down |
| measurable and non-measurable benefits. | | | | on waste. Many green products can be found in |
| To begin with, it is important to have a plan. Green | | | | home improvement stores, so be sure to some |
| home improvement differs from basic home repair | | | | research before committing to a brand. |
| because you are working toward an ultimate goal of | | | | Window replacement is another way to conserve |
| making your home more efficient and environmentally | | | | energy and cut down on costs. By installing windows |
| friendly. It is advisable to work with a green | | | | with better insulation, you are reducing the amount |
| contractor who has experience with this specific kind | | | | of heat or air-conditioning that is wasted and your |
| of renovation. The contractor can help you decide if | | | | home is better able to heat or cool itself using natural |
| you may need a drastic overhaul to achieve optimal | | | | resources. This is a significant way to reduce energy |
| conservation, or if a few small changes will suffice. A | | | | bills, since your home is more efficient and requires |
| simple step towards going green is switching to | | | | less energy to maintain. |
| energy-efficient light bulbs and installing motion | | | | Lastly, it is important to remember that maintaining a |
| detectors and timers that keep lights off when they | | | | green home is an ongoing commitment. Be conscious |
| are not needed. | | | | of using eco-friendly cleaning products and other |
| A more involved way of making a home eco-friendly | | | | materials. Make sure to keep water use to a |
| is by installing a new HVAC system (heating, | | | | minimum, and always turn off electronics and |
| ventilation and air conditioning). Your contractor can | | | | appliances when not in use. While it is difficult to |
| help you install a system that optimizes the space | | | | change old habits, it is vital that we all do our best to |
| you have, with the most efficient use of energy. | | | | conserve resources and help our environment. |
| When installing a new HVAC system, it is important | | | | |