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Green Remodel

All new construction and remodeling projects change our environment; sometimes far greater than we anticipate (see Green Building Basics). To ensure your home project does not contribute to environmental degradation, plan for sufficient time to weigh and compare the environmental impacts of the materials and techniques you choose. It is important to consider the long-term benefits as well as the short-term costs.

Before you start, it is helpful to make a list of the green goals for your project: whether it's choosing recycled-content materials, or using low-impact development strategies, or making the house energy and water efficient. Green building certification checklists are available to inspire and guide you through the process.

Getting Help

Consider attending a meeting of a green building organization in your area if the information becomes overwhelming or you would like to learn more about local green building resources. Some counties and local jurisdictions have staff available for technical assistance. To find builders knowledgeable about green building and remodeling, you can also contact your local builders association.

Remodel Guides

These informative, full-color guides, produced by the City of Seattle's Green Building Program and adapted for statewide use by the Department of Ecology, can help you 'green' your next home remodeling project.

• Green Home Remodel
• Kitchen
• Bath and Laundry
• Roofing
• Salvage and Reuse
• Hiring a Pro
• Painting

Improving Energy Efficiency

Many existing homes - and too many new ones! - were built without a comprehensive look at the energy the house would need or use over its years of operation. In this time of climbing energy rates, your decision to improve the energy efficiency of your home may save you more money - and the environment - than any other remodeling you do. Here are two tips on checking into which energy improvement strategies will do the most for your home - and your wallet.

• Get an energy audit. These are offered by a number of utilities, and will give you the information you need to evaluate whether to get more insulation or upgrade your heating system or apply caulk to certain places.
• Go online. Many websites have great suggestions on ways to save energy. Visit the US Department of Energy and Access Washington as a start.

Look into doing these things as well:

• Install quality low-flow water fixtures. These often pay for themselves within a year and think of the gallons your water heater will not need to heat. Again, check with your utility, since some will send you free showerheads and faucet aerators.
• Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs. Also known as CFLs (the L stands for 'lamps', the technical term for bulbs), these fit conventional sockets and come in a range of colors and wattages. There are now dimmable CFLs. All are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs which convert over 90% of the electricity they draw into heat.
• Replace outdated refrigerators and clothes washers. Today's refrigerators are more efficient and contain safer refrigerants. Front-loading clothes washers not only save gallons of water and detergent in each wash, they spin better so clothes drying time is reduced. Look for the ENERGY STAR label that rates the appliances' energy efficiency.

Deconstruction and Salvaged Materials

The greenest of all materials are those we reuse or get from or give to someone else to reuse. When we do this, we retain all the resources and energy that went into the manufacture of those materials, plus the transportation costs involved all along the way. Apart from a limited number of materials that cannot and should not be re-used - like asbestos-containing or lead-based painted materials, soils contaminated with dangerous chemicals, and old oil water heaters - most of the building materials, appliances, and furniture can be safely re-used or recycled.

Doors, windows, cabinets and other valuable fixtures may be salvaged for reuse prior to demolition. To recover even more building materials, you may opt to deconstruct instead of demolish. Some non-profit organizations and private businesses provide deconstruction services and may offer tax-deductible receipts for the salvaged materials. They may also give you the documentation required by some green building certification programs if you plan for your home to achieve a certain green building rating.

If you have construction materials that were used or left from a construction or remodel project, you may:

• Donate them to one of the local re-use stores and organizations. Your donations may be tax-deductible.
• Visit http://1800recycle.wa.gov to find facilities that recycle construction, demolition, and landclearing materials in your area.

This will reduce your overall disposal costs, while diverting usable building materials from landfills and offering a cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly option for people looking for used materials.

Whether you plan a remodel or new construction, consider going treasure-hunting at:

• Your local ReUse store.
• Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity's Re-Stores that are available around the state.
• Washington's online exchange for reusable building materials and household items: www.2good2toss.com.

Or just shop carefully. If you use a 'traditional' construction material store ask for information about the product's components and percent of recycled content.

Please contact your Ecology regional green building specialist for a list of local deconstruction and construction materials and re-use opportunities, or visit the Alternatives to Waste page on our website.

Green Building Materials

Reducing a building's environmental footprint also means selecting sustainable building products and fixtures. Consider products containing recycled and locally-produced materials. Find out what glues or finishes are used to avoid harmful off-gassing. Look for information on toxins used or released over the product's lifecycle.

A product's durability, maintenance cost, ease of reuse, and recyclability are also key factors when deciding on the products you will live with. You'll want a healthy as well as attractive indoor environment when you are done.

Assessing how 'green' a building material is can be complicated. However, there are resources available to help you through this process. These organizations and businesses can help, with information and specifications on selecting environmentally preferable building products:

• NW Ecobuilding Guild Green Pages
• Sweets Network® - Green Building Products and Manufacturers Searchable Database
• Green Guard Institute
• Green Seal
• GreenSpec®
• Healthy Building Network
• NW Green Directory

Home Maintenance

Another important part of going 'green' is the care you give your home. Healthy indoor air and a toxins-free yard depend on the cleaning and yard supplies you chose and use. Some helpful resources are listed below:

• Ecology's Toxic Free Tips program offers information on toxins in everyday products and lists some cleaning tips and recipes. Also, check out the Toxic Free Tips for Household Cleaners publication.
• Household Products Database
• Composting at Home
• Natural Yard Care

Investing some time, thought, and research into your remodel pays off in a healthier, more easily-maintained home.