Life Doesn’t Have to be Greener on the Other Side of the Fence
Sustainable building is, without a doubt, the future of the construction industry. As pressure for environmentally-friendly building practices increases, companies are discovering that ultimately, ‘going green’ saves cash. Recycling and reusing construction materials is a smart decision for all builders whether they are interested in environmentally-friendly building or not. Here are a few steps that may be taken to increase efficiency and reduce waste generated by construction activities.
Increasing the volume of recycled materials is an easy place to start. Research local material recovery facilities to check for rebate programs. As landfill rates have gone up, more and more contractors are looking for ways to increase recycling. To prevent useful construction debris from further clogging landfills, many material recovery facilities offer financial incentives for builders to recycle. These programs offer per ton discounts on debris that builders bring in.
Reusing materials is also a great way to cut down on jobsite waste. Many tools, wood/metal debris, and plastic products can be reused during the construction or remodeling process to reduce costs. Another option is to donate used materials. Donating materials to non-profit organizations such as Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity gives contractors the option to declare a tax deduction. Contractors can feel good about donating to organizations that improve their communities while simultaneously saving money.
Although many builders feel that environmental regulations for water and energy use are an inconvenient burden, they can be used advantageously. Emphasizing green building and waste reduction policies is great for public relations and, if implemented effectively, can reduce a business’ bottom line. LEED buildings are becoming increasingly popular as energy prices rise. Although energy efficiency costs more up front, it saves New Jersey home and business owners a significant amount of money in the long run. Environmentally-friendly construction is becoming increasingly important to consumers; businesses who embrace sustainable building practices now will have an edge in the future home/business market over those that do not.
Taking precautions to minimize waste is one of the easiest ways to go green. Protecting newly installed finishes in a New Jersey residential or commercial site saves money on potential replacement supplies and reduces waste. Companies like Builders Site Protection are happy to provide building companies with recommendations for recycled or reusable surface protection materials.
These are only a few steps builders can take to increase sustainability and reduce waste. Recycling and reusing materials not only helps the environment, it also has the potential to save your New Jersey remodeling contractor money.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Ley
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Not Totally Committed To Being Green? How About Green-er?
When planning a renovation of your kitchen, bathrooms, or adding additional living space to your home, talk to a professional New Jersey remodeling contractor about creating a home that is more efficient and safer to live in. The benefits of green remodeling include saving money through greater efficiency, improving indoor air and water quality and reducing the negative impact on the environment.
SAVING MONEY
Energy efficiency is the top reason why New Jersey homeowners choose green remodeling, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers. Homeowners save money on utility bills when the home is more energy efficient. This is an attractive feature to home buyers, so creating an energy efficient home also adds to its market value. A certified contractor can conduct an energy evaluation of the home and suggest changes that can be made through professional remodeling or even simple changes, like using newer energy-saving lights or installing a programmable thermostat.
Some ways you can improve energy efficiency:
• Hire a professional New Jersey contractor to replace drafty, old windows with energy-efficient dual paned windows and replace aluminum siding with newer vinyl siding.
• Properly insulating an attic will yield the biggest cost savings. Your New Jersey home will retain heat better during the winter and stay cooler during the summer. There are many insulation options, depending where it’s used, including fiberglass, spray foam, rigid foam board and cellulose. R-values measure the performance of the insulation, so generally the higher the R-value, the better the insulation level.
• Look for the Energy Star symbol when buying new appliances for a kitchen remodel or when replacing a water heater or clothing dryer, Energy Star is a government-backed program and the symbol represents energy efficiency, helping consumers find appliances and other products that provide cost savings through lower energy and water consumption.
• How old is your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system? Systems older than 10 years are not as efficient as newer models. When considering a new system, choose the most efficient model that will efficiently support the size of the home, especially if remodeling includes additional living space.
Other cost-saving measures include installing a programmable thermostat, having the system professionally checked and cleaned annually, and sealing and insulating the ductwork.
IMPROVING INDOOR QUALITY OF LIFE
A 2011 report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found people diagnosed with asthma increased by 4.3 million between 2001 and 2009-that’s 1 in 12 Americans. Although reasons for the increase are not fully known, environmental factors including indoor air quality is an asthma trigger. Even more people deal with allergies from pollen, animal dander and molds.
You can create a healthier place to live by improving indoor air quality, water quality and reducing noise pollution. Ultimately, a healthier home also saves money by lowering medical costs.
• Choose non-toxic building materials, paints and cleaning products. Many of these household products emit toxic gas containing VOCs (volatile organic compounds) creating poor indoor air quality. Side effects range from symptoms like fatigue, headaches, nausea and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat to respiratory diseases like asthmas and bronchitis to more serious problems such as kidney or liver damage or cancer.
• Remove mold, pollen, animal dander, dust mites and dirt by installing a more efficient ventilation system with high-quality air filters.
• Test the water system to determine if a water filtration system is needed to remove impurities.
CONSERVING RESOURCES: Reduce, Recycle, Renew
We are reminded of the importance of a clean environment every day from advertisements about hybrid and electric cars to neighborhood recycling programs. So consider a trash container filled with debris during a remodeling project-that’s a lot of waste. One goal of green remodeling is reducing the amount of waste that enters a landfill by either reusing or recycling the materials. Materials removed from the property in good condition can be donated to an organization such as Habitat for Humanity.
When demolition is complete and it’s time to start remodeling, choose natural, more durable materials like cork flooring or natural fiber carpets with no toxic chemicals.
• Cork is a sustainable material, as flooring it reduces noise pollution in the home and is a healthy option for those who suffer from allergies.
• Install low-flow toilets and shower heads which use less water than standard plumbing fixtures.
• Are the old plumbing fixtures leaking? Replacing leaky faucets could save thousands of gallons of water in a year.
• Consider renewable energy sources such as solar power by adding photovoltaic panels to your roof or yard. You can even consider new photovoltaic shingles when it’s time for a new roof.
Green remodeling can range from larger projects like a kitchen renovation or newer windows and siding that require a professional remodeling contractor – to smaller changes a New Jersey homeowner can easily make such as using non-toxic paints and cleaning products. Saving money, improving indoor air and water quality, and reducing waste are all benefits of green remodeling. Creating a home that features these benefits can also add value because of the increased demand for green homes.
Talking to a professional New Jersey contractor about how you can incorporate green concepts into your remodeling projects to save money and stay healthy is a WIN-WIN!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P._Matthew_Potter
