Experts agree that the concept of “going green” continues to gain popularity among homeowners, builders and remodelers.
But what exactly does it mean, aside from recycling and switching to energy-efficient light bulbs? And which home improvements are most likely to put some green back into your pocket?
“Going green usually equals energy efficiency, because the two go hand in hand,” said Sarah Olson, co-owner and broker-in-charge at Leap Realty, a Triad agency that specializes in high-efficiency homes. Green efforts also are designed to reduce pollution indoors and out, and to preserve natural resources, she said.
For homeowners interested in saving money and energy, Olson suggested starting with a home-energy audit conducted by an auditor certified by the Residential Energy Services Network, or RESNET.
“It’s a detailed diagnostic test of the house that finds all of the air leaks,” she said. “That way, you can put your dollars specifically where your house needs it.”
Steve Armstrong, a RESNET-qualified auditor with Environmental Solutions Group in Greensboro, agreed that a home evaluation is a good place to start.
“An audit really helps determine your baseline energy usage,” he said. “We look at what we call the ‘low-hanging fruit’ — remedies that can easily be achieved by tightening up weatherstripping, making sure windows are insulated correctly, and that any openings in the ceiling or floor, around lighting fixtures and air ducts are well-sealed. Those are quick and easy to address.”
Armstrong looks at cavities where duct work moves from one level to another to make sure they’re properly insulated. Auditors may also use infrared technology to detect differences in temperature, or a blower-door test, which pushes and pulls air into and out of a home to check its airtightness. Another type of fan called a duct blaster is used to find leaks in duct work.
Steve Batts of Batts Builders in Greensboro also said that an energy audit is a great place to begin.
“Going green, to me, means creating a healthier home that uses less energy, and an energy audit gives you a point of reference,” Batts said. “If you don’t do an analysis, it can be hard to gauge how much you’ve improved things later.”
Newer homes can benefit from an audit as well.
“The average house built, even today, has enough leaks and penetrations in it to equal an average-size window being open year-round,” Batts said.
Small improvements can make a big difference in your energy bill, Olson said. “Retrofitting for energy efficiency is a great idea, and if it’s done right, it’s not going to cost that much more, and the payback can be realized pretty quickly.”
Consider installing a programmable thermostat, for instance. According to the Department of Energy, a typical homeowner may save $180 a year by doing so.
The agency also estimates that the average homeowner spends $10,000 on heating and cooling over a 10-year period. More than half of the energy used in a typical home goes toward heating and cooling, and a lot of air escapes through attics that aren’t well-insulated.
“The biggest place to fix problems is your attic or ceiling, because heat rises,” Batts said. “If you can seal the leaks there first, that’s going to stop the air from coming in a lot of places down below.”
If you’re ready to replace your heating, ventilation and cooling system, look for equipment that is Energy Star-rated by the Environmental Protection Agency, and buy the most efficient system you can afford. The same rule applies to clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators and other home appliances. Low-flow toilets and showerheads can help reduce your water bill.
Another green objective is improved indoor air quality. While a home’s insulation and airtightness factor into this measure, household products also play a role.
Low- or no-VOC paints and carpets are a good choice, as are cabinets that are formaldehyde-free with nontoxic finishes. VOCs are volatile organic chemical compounds. They emit vapors that can have ill effects on people’s health and the environment.
As for windows, Olson and Batts both recommend sealing existing ones rather than replacing them, if possible.
“The amount of money you’ll spend on replacing windows can take so long to get back in return that it’s usually not a good investment,” Batts said.
Repurposing items is another green move that costs very little compared to replacing them. A variety of fixtures, cabinets and other gently used treasures can be found at the Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Burlington; Architectural Salvage of Greensboro; and at some antique stores.
And finally, if your project isn’t a do-it-yourself one, look for a builder or remodeler who is knowledgeable about green building practices and has designations such as the Certified Green Professional certification from the National Association of Home Builders.
Olson also recommends homeowners ask builders and remodelers how they incorporate green building and energy efficiency into their construction, and whether they recycle.
“Those are things you should ask about before you begin a project,” she says. “You want to invest in the future, and green is the future.”
