Critical Tips for Your Green Remodeling Projects
If you are considering remodeling your family home in a more environmentally friendly fashion, now is the perfect time to do it. Because the green movement has become so ubiquitous, the materials, fixtures, and appliances have all become readily available. In addition, because the supply has increased so much over the past several years, these materials come in a wide variety that can complement any interior design scheme. Another benefit of increase supply is that these materials are now available at the lowest prices ever.
Although any remodeling project should be a fun, exciting, and enjoyable experience, the sheer number of choices can seem daunting. With green remodeling projects, these choices can be even more difficult if you are not knowledgeable about the best way of maximizing the eco-friendly nature of your remodeling project.
The following tips are some basic considerations that you should have to help you start your environmentally friendly residential renovation project. By seeking professional guidance and keeping the following ideas in mind, you can feel confident that you will make a substantial beneficial impact during your next remodeling project.
Hire a Professional to Conduct an Energy Audit
Despite the fact that many of our suburban homes look strikingly similar, each individual residence leaves a distinctly different environmental footprint. First off, each family uses their property in different fashions, consuming water and energy differently. Secondly, any variances in construction, installation, materials, and appliances will result in each home needing different updates to maximize energy and water efficiency. As such, there are no simple green suggestions that will always result in the largest positive impact.
Because of the unique nature of every property, it is important to hire a professional energy auditor so that you can know how to maximize your energy savings. They will assess all of your critical energy areas, including you HVAC system, your insulation, windows, and energy consumption habits. After their expert assessment, you will be aware of the ways to best conserve energy during your residential remodeling project.
Consider the Square Footage of Your Home
Because using the least amount of new materials is an environmentally sound remodeling method, it is important to consider the spaces that you intend to renovate. If you are considering a home addition, you should attempt to fulfill your usage needs in the most space efficient fashion. This will have a positive impact in that you will use fewer materials and generate less construction waste. In addition, the new area will utilize less energy throughout the life of your property.
Conduct your own Green Remodeling Research
Before hiring a remodeling contractor to help you with your green renovation project, it is helpful to have some generic ideas about how you want to maximize the beneficial impact of the project. Although some remodelers advertise that they can help with your project, they may cut vital corners because of the extra work green remodeling takes. If you have goals in mind before the project, you can ensure that your green modeling project will go as planned.
Start with a Simple Impactful Project
Although the end goal is to redo your entire home in a positive fashion, taking on the entire project at once may be problematic. A great place to start any residential remodeling project is the bathroom. These rooms are generally smaller, which makes material costs and installation time minimal. The residential bathroom is also a large consumer of water and energy, so by beginning in this small area, you can still arrive at big results. After successfully completing your green bathroom remodeling project, you will have the experience and enjoyment necessary to encourage you to take on larger challenges.
Be Ready to Adapt throughout the Process
Although it is great to plan ahead and it can be beneficial to remain adamantly determined, allowing for a little adaptability can go a long way. Once again, a successful residential remodeling project has to be an enjoyable experience in order to achieve your goals. As you take the process in stages, your enjoyment can be enhanced by still remaining conscious of all of the different ways that you can improve your home.
Because your entire residential renovation will not be completed immediately, it is highly likely that new green technologies and materials will become available during the overhaul. If you continue to research throughout the process and have an open mind, you can be ready to capitalize of every great option as it presents itself.