A licensed professional contractor can help you assess your energy efficiency needs and provide remodeling projects that will improves your homes energy efficiency.Before remodeling a home, especially an older one, an energy assessment (home energy audit) should be performed by an experienced, licensed contractor. A home energy audit determines how much energy your home is currently consuming and recommends energy efficiency improvements.

When remodeling a home, those projects that improve energy-efficiency should be considered high priority.  Over the long-term, these improvements not only pay for themselves with reduced utility bills, but they make the house more comfortable and healthier to live in.  Most notably, projects that deal with energy efficiency also impact indoor air quality.  Indoor air quality can’t be taken for granted and can have a major impact on a family’s health.  For example, hidden mold spores in the home can trigger a variety of illnesses from asthma to a host of mycotoxin-related illnesses.

Before remodeling a home, especially an older one, an energy assessment (home energy audit) should be performed by an experienced, licensed contractor.  A home energy audit determines how much energy your home is currently consuming and recommends energy efficiency improvements.

While there are a variety of projects that improve energy efficiency, none are more important than the interrelated elements of air sealing, insulation, moisture control and ventilation. Although not as noticeable as many other remodeling projects, at the end of the day, the proper balance of these elements is what really counts. A home with good air quality and efficient temperature regulation is a home that is comfortable and healthy to live in. Always make sure to use a licensed and insured home remodeling contractor.

Air Sealing

Air sealing is one of the most significant energy efficiency improvements you can make. When air sealing an existing home, you must detect air leaks as well as assess ventilation needs for indoor air quality. A good professional contractor looks at airflow not as an uncontrolled phenomenon to be avoided, but at a critical and essential function to be managed. The objective in proper air sealing is to improve comfort, reduce heating bills, and most importantly, make the indoor air healthier and safer. The traditional air sealing techniques of weather stripping and caulking is used much less extensively today as contractors become more skilled in finding better options. More air can be stopped elsewhere for less money and air moving through doors and windows is less harmful that air traveling through cavities depositing condensation. The best opportunities for reducing air leakage are at the top and bottom of the house.

Insulation

Once your home is properly sealed, the next improvement to reduce your energy bills is by adding more insulation. A qualified home energy auditor will include an insulation check as a routine part of a whole-house energy assessment to find out where your home is, isn’t and should be insulated, the type of insulation, its R-value (the insulation’s resistance to heat flow) and depth of existing insulation. To improve the thermal resistance of exterior walls, there are variety of insulation materials including blanket insulation such as rolls or batts which are pre-cut insulation panels, foam board or rigid foam, and loose fill or sprayed insulation. Your contractor can help you decide those insulation materials that would work best for your home.

Moisture and Ventilation Control

The best strategy for moisture control depends on your climate and how your home is constructed. Here, in New Jersey with high relative humidity, moisture control is a serious issue. High humidity levels can lead to mold growth and structural damage to your home. Proper ventilation, the exchange of indoor air with outdoor air, is an integral component of a moisture control strategy. Proper ventilation reduces indoor pollutants, moisture, and odors. Excess moisture and inadequate ventilation can create a health hazard for your family. These factors can cause toxins, pollutants and gages to accumulate and nurture mold and dust mites making you and your family sick. There are now mechanical ventilation systems that measure the moisture content of outdoor and crawlspace air and only provides ventilation when the outdoor air is drier than crawlspace air.

HVAC Sizing

Older space conditioning systems are often unreliable and much less efficient that a modern system. When it’s time for a new replacement, choosing the correct size is critical to getting the best efficiency, comfort, and lowest maintenance and operating costs. Some national surveys have determined that well over half of all HVAC installations are not sized correctly. Most commonly, oversized equipment is installed.

Oversized equipment forces the system to operate inefficiently. It breaks down more often and costs more to operate not to mention the new system costing more to begin with. Oversized heating equipment often creates uncomfortable and large temperature swings in the house while oversized air conditioners do not run long enough to dehumidify the air resulting in that “clammy” feeling and unhealthy mold growth in many air conditioned houses.

High-efficiency Toilets

Designed for water conservation, HE toilets use an average of 20% less water per flush than the industry standard of 1.6 gallons saving close to 9000 gallons of water annually for a family of four

Energy-Efficient Windows, Doors, and Skylights

Installing energy-efficient windows, door and highlights can go a long way toward lowering a home’s heating, cooling, and lighting costs. Window technology has evolved over the years. Your home remodeling contractor can determine the best windows for energy efficiency based on your home’s design such as window orientation.

Solar Hot Water

Solar water heating systems generate hot water for your home with free solar fuel. Solar water heaters can be active or passive. Active systems have pumps and controls. The two types of active heating systems are direct circulation systems used in moderate climates and indirect circulation systems for harsher climates. Indirect systems circulate a non-freezing heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger. Heat exchanges transfer solar energy absorbed in the solar collectors to the liquid or air used to heat water or a space. The two basic passive systems are integral collector-storage passive systems and thermosyhon systems. Passive systems are typically less expensive, but not as efficient. Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are three types of residential solar collectors: flat-plate collectors. Integral collector-storage (ICS) or batch systems, and evacuated-tube solar collectors, Solar systems generally have back-up water heating for cloudy days and times of increased demand.

Recycled/Renewable Flooring

Eco-friendly flooring that lead the market are recycled flooring from old structures. Old wood can be given new life as recycled wood flooring made from salvaged boards or trees that have been re-milled. Since this wood came from old growth forests, it is often harder, denser, and more attractive in appearance than new wood growth. Specialty recyclers glean reusable hardwoods such as chestnut, hickory, cherry, and oak from old houses and other structures slated for demolition. Another attractive alternative is renewable flooring from fast-growing trees such as bamboo.

Tubular Skylights

Many homeowners enjoy the natural lighting that skylights provide. However, skylights often do not distribute light evenly, are a significant source of energy loss, and can cause UV damage to carpets and furniture. Tubular skylights use the sun for lighting interiors without the drawbacks associated with conventional skylights. They are generally easier to install than typical skylights and, from the home’s interior, resemble conventional lighting fixtures.

West Long Branch Mark Of Excellence Remodeling Inc., based in West Long Branch, is proud to announce their participation again in the  HGTV show Home Rules.  The episode is scheduled to air on Tuesday, May 2^5th at 9 p.m.   Each week the program introduces a new family with an untenable living situation. The Home Rules experts sort out what changes need to be made in their lifestyle and home, and they assemble a team to tackle the unique challenges and reconstruct the perfect home.

Mark of Excellence was selected as general contractor for the remodeling of a home in Middletown that is the focus of the twelth episode of Home Rules.   They had just four days to complete all the necessary demolition, construction and finishing, while the homeowners were sent to stay elsewhere.  The work was quite extensive, and the family was unaware of exactly what changes were being made.

Mark of Excellence Remodeling has been in business for over 20 years, and has developed an outstanding reputation for home improvements.  The company has won a number of both trade and consumer awards and offers customers unique design and build services, green remodeling and professional handyman services.   For more information about Mark of Excellence, please visit www.markofexcellence.com or call 800-734-3737.

Whether you need a kitchen, bathroom remodel or addition to your home in Monmouth County, NJ, Mark of Excellence Remodeling can provide you with a free estimate for your project.

Visit our website for hundreds of photos of our work.

Mark of Excellence Remodeling

Consistent with NARI’s core purpose to advance the remodeling industry’s vital public purpose, protecting the safety, welfare and housing of homeowners is included. Thus, NARI supports the EPA in its effort to protect the public from the hazards of lead poisoning. There is serious concern, however, that the remodeling industry is not nor can be prepared for an implementation date of April 22, 2010. The request for delay was made based on the following:

* The number of trainers is insufficient to certify the agency’s very conservative estimate of 200,000 contractors required.

* Only 14,000 individuals have been certified to date, and seven states reportedly have no trainers.

* The opt-out provision is a significant component of the rule and is under continuing review.

* The EPA has not commenced its planned public awareness campaign; the general public and the majority of contractors are not even aware of the rule.

“Issues like this which affect the remodeling industry and our members cause NARI to become more involved in the government arena” Carter said. “The government does not understand our industry and we must enable that understanding. The leaders with whom we met were receptive and keenly interested. We are hopeful that these key visits will result in a meaningful and necessary relief.”

Until the EPA or Federal government officially announces a delay of the LRRP rule, NARI members who work on homes built prior to 1978 must become certified by the April 22, 2010 deadline. Right now, there is no other alternative.

NARI Chapters are holding training sessions, and members can find additional information on all EPA LRRP-related information at www.nari.org/leadsafety.  NARI will remain active on this issue, and continue to keep members informed of developments.

Before starting bathroom remodeling you should determine what needs to be changed in the bathroom. Things like fixtures may feel dated or the size of the bathroom may be too small. In some cases better ventilation is required in the bathroom so that air and light can enter in a proper manner. The floor may also need to be changed as it may be damaged due to heavy foot traffic mixed with the water that creates mold underneath the tiles themselves.

Bathroom remodeling may be done by people who have experience in construction projects even if minor changes need to be done. If the project seems to be complex then assistance of a contractor is definitely recommended. The contractor can remodel the bathroom in a better more efficient way that one can on their own. You can find various contractors in Chicago and you should select the one with whom you are most comfortable.

If the size of the bathroom is very small then neighboring walls need to be knocked down in order to expand the bathroom. When structural changes are to be made in a bathroom then it is considered that you should also include a dressing area as it can help you to store clothes so that a person can change immediately after having a bath.

Bathroom remodeling is required when it feels outdated and no longer fits the needs of the user. Although the cabinets should not be removed entirely they should be concealed or moved in such a way that they do not act as an obstruction in the usage of the bathroom. Apart from making the bathroom look beautiful, it should also be practical in use. When bathroom remodeling is considered then ventilation and storage should be kept in mind also.

With the passage of time, the fixtures also look less appealing. If you are considering changing the fixtures like sinks and tubs then you should try to keep them simple and classic. It should be checked that the fixtures coordinate in a better way as well. There are various fixtures and flooring options that are available that can result into a beautiful and comfortable bathroom.

Another important aspect of remodeling the bathroom is bathroom flooring. If you want to install floor heating then it is recommended that you do it with a concrete or stone floor.  Porous materials like wood and carpeting should be avoided as water accumulation can damage the flooring and the structure.

Remodeling can greatly improve your bathroom as well as home. You should keep your bathroom remodeling project beautiful, simple and classic so that it lasts a long time.