Information on Green, Sustainable and Home Healthy Home Remodeling

What Makes 'Green' Green? Savvi remodelers want to know all the different shades of "green" when it comes to incorporating environmental awareness into home remodeling projects. A green home, which can also be called a sustainable home, is designed, built, or renovated, in a resource-efficient manner and reduces the overall impact to the environment.

Green Articles

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  • The Kitchen Gets Natural

    The 19th annual Cost vs. Value Report shows homeowners can improve the value of their home by 80 percent if they remodel their kitchen. Today’s kitchen has become a gathering space for friends, family, and guests. 1 vote

     

  • Energy Efficient Lighting

    The tiniest changes can add up to a real difference. If every American home changed out just five high-use light fixtures such as kitchen, hallway and outdoor fixtures, each family would save about $60 every year in energy costs, which totals $6.5 billion each year in energy costs around the world.

    1 vote
     

  • Sometimes it is Easy Being Green

    So you’re sold on building or remodeling “green,” but you don’t know where to start? If you’re thinking of just upgrading a few appliances or swapping out your old light bulbs for more energy-efficient brands, simply shop for models with high Energy Star ratings. 1 vote

     

  • Top Ten Misconceptions about Solar Hot Water
    The Top Ten Misconceptions about Solar Hot Water Systems in Western Washington and the Truths that Pave the Road to Energy Independence

    1. Misconception - It's cloudy, so solar hot water systems won't work
    3 votes

     

Human Healthy


Having clean air to breathe may seem like a given, but many homes built in the 80s and 90s have poor air circulation. You can improve your indoor air quality by using low-fume products such as lower VOC (volatile organic compounds) found in certain paints, rugs and glues.

Education on sustainable living: ecoliteracy.org

Healthy house for our children: HealtheHouse

10 ways to breathe easier: www.about.com

A breakdown on harmful elements: EPA

A guide on better air quality: AirNow

Be Efficient


Energy efficiency is conserving energy. Using lower energy-use appliances that do the same job but save you money on your electricity bills and do the world a favor by using less power.

Energy efficient appliances: www.energystar.gov

Ways to cut energy costs: www.buyenergyefficient.org

Right windows save money: www.efficientwindows.org

Water efficiency can be found in many of today's toilets. Using less water when the bowl is refilling, these lower capacity bowls combine high efficiency with low water usage. Water efficiency can also be incorporated into landscape design by using rain or recycled water.

Water saving techniques: www.epa.org/watersense

Environmentalist forum: WaterWise

Recycle/Reuse


Recycled materials can be new materials created from old ones. A reusable material would be finding a new use for something instead of throwing it away... for instance, salvaging wood floors instead of installing new ones.

A recycled material store: www.seconduse.com

Industry Certification


US Green Building Council has the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. Look for LEED certification from your suppliers.

For more info: www.usgbc.org

The Seattle Master Builder Association has a Built Green program. Look for Built Green experiences from your contractors.

For more info: www.builtgreen.net

Wish you had a how-to guide on how to go green with easy tips and sound advice? Visit the City of Seattle's official site. Their beautiful, downloadable guides, will make your environmentally-aware project come to life. You can also search for sustainable communities in your area and find out city projects that are being built with green products.