Happy Earth Day! This is the time of year we at My Green Village talk about the spring green home improvement season. There's a lot of information out there, so here are three things you need to know about green home improvement - Trades & Best Practices, Improvements To Make Now, and Financing.
Trades & Best Practices
Green Home Cleaning is the practice of using bio-based compounds (rather than petroleum-based ones) to clean. Examples include vinegar & water to clean floors, and baking soda & water to remove stains (especially if you add a teaspoon of salt to the mixture). When purchasing green cleaning solutions, look for the Green Seal or Ecologic logo on the packaging.
In terms of equipment, microfiber cloths are recyclable, more efficient, and leave a minimum of residue behind. Vacuum cleaners with a HEPA rated filter improve indoor air quality by preventing residue from cycling back into a room.
Green Home Contracting includes the following: Building, Remodeling, Plumbing, Masonry, Painting, Carpentry, Landscaping, Pest Control, and Energy Contracting. These green trades use recycled materials, materials that are better for and/or less harmful to the environment, and/or methods that save energy and resources.
Vetting a Green Home Contractor
The following certifications can assure a homeowner that the contractor knows the latest eco- friendly products and technologies:
- National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) - Green Certified Professional (GCP)
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) - Certified Green Professional (CGP)
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) - LEED Professional Credentials
- Green Advantage (GA) - Green Advantage Certified Practitioner (GACP)
- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) - Certified Green Contractor
Improvements to Make Now
Water Saving - Tankless water heaters, energy-efficient toilets, water-reducing filters, and even recycling water from sinks, baths, and showers to water lawns all saves water. That said, according to the EPA, a family of four can save roughly 20,000 gallons of water annually just by replacing standard shower and faucet heads with low-flow faucets.
Installing an HVAC System - Air conditioning systems purify and recycle air, along with cooling it. Additionally, programmable thermostats can save you up to 5-15 percent a year by simply setting them to a cooler temperature at night and setting a higher temperature during the day.
Smarter Flooring - Cork, bamboo, and recycled wood are eco-friendly alternatives to carpet, which can cause allergy problems.
Window Replacements - Energy efficient windows enable homeowners to significantly reduce energy consumption and lower bills. An affordable alternative is applying a reflective window film to reduce energy costs. The film helps block heat gain by cutting sun glare and allowing rays to bounce off the window.
Solar Panels - More than 500,000 homes in the U.S. have switched to solar energy systems, with the number expected to exceed one million in the near future. One of the reasons is the significant reduction in panel installation costs, and as much as an 80% energy savings.
Financing
Last, but not least, check out the following for potential financing options:
Keep in mind that ANY green home improvement, whether you opt for a full out solar panel installation or simply update your HVAC system, is positive for the environment. So much of this depends on your budget and lifestyle, so make the choices that are best for you. Happy Earth Day!
This blogger graduated from Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses program. Goldman Sachs is a partner of the What Is Working: Small Businesses section.