Remodeling is Green
CHICAGO — The focus of the annual GreenBuild conference held here earlier this month was primarily commercial building and remodeling, but the number of additional attendees 22,500 vs. the expected 18,000 is a sign that “green” has reached critical mass. It has gone from a discretionary endeavor to a must-do.
In 1999, I remember attending the NAHB Green Building conference. At the time, all of the possibilities of a green were opening up to builders and remodelers, yet relatively few took the time to roll up their sleeves and invest in going green. What was missing then was consumer demand, a pull-through.
In the late 90s, few saw the business sense of going green, because it was a.) more expensive, b.) not being requested by homeowners. The primary difference between then and now, is that green has matured, but also a confluence of larger global issues have put green front-and-center in the eyes of the American public. The surge in attendance could be seen as a fear-factor. Some builders and remodelers are playing catch-up and don’t want to lose jobs for lack of fluency on matters of green.
If you are a remodeler and you want to be a part of the green movement, and it is a movement, there is no need to panic. Much of what you already do is very green. Here are three items to point out the next time your prospects or customers ask.
1. You remodel.
Instead of building new homes on farmland, or tearing down and sending tons of building materials to the landfill, you take what is there and adapt, re-use and recycle.
2. You increase energy-efficiency.
Many remodeling projects involve windows, roofing and siding. Today’s materials have very high thermal ratings. When you wrap a house and install new windows, you are engaging in the No. 1 item on all green remodeling checklists.
3. You encourage water-saving.
Every time you put in a new kitchen or bath, you are in a position to install a low-flow toilet or a more efficient faucet or showerhead. Reducing the use of water is an important green objective.
To truly take advantage of the green movement, you will need to quickly move beyond these basics. You will need to get training for you and your team. NARI and NAHB both have education and certification programs that will prove very helpful to this end.
You will also want to get involved with green at the local level, Austin, Tex., Portland, Ore., and Colorado already have green certification programs up and running. Doubtless, many other areas of the country have programs as well. Another place to start your green quest is the US Green Building Council’s new Web site for green residential, www.greenhomeguide.org.
As you pursue gaining a better understading of how your remodeling firm can go green, take your time. Do your research. Pick a strategy. And, above all, do it with the knowledge that remodeling is inherently green.
You can use ‘green’ fittings in your kitchen such as CFL (compact fluorescent lights) and LED lighting.