Millions of us are renovating our homes every
year, spending more money annually on renovation than on new home construction.
Since buildings are responsible for 40 percent of worldwide energy flow and
material use, how you remodel can make a big difference to the environment. Kirk
Smith, founder of the Greenhouse Crisis Foundation in Washington, D.C., has said
that American homes and apartments account for the largest share of carbon
dioxide released into the atmosphere by all sources worldwide. Upgrading
insulation, furnaces, cabinets and fixtures like water heaters and toilets means
less fossil fuel pollution and reduced resource depletion. It can also save you
money in the long-run. However, renovations can be fraught with unintended
consequences like indoor air pollution. There are many aspects of home
renovation, but here are some tips for undertaking flooring and painting
projects in a healthy, environmentally friendly way.
Green Reno Basics
A green
renovation involves two interrelated concepts. One is to be as earth-friendly as
possible by using sustainable and/or recycled materials, and to reduce energy
and water use by employing measures like solar and geothermal heating,
high-efficiency lighting and green roofs. The other is to create a healthy
living space by using nontoxic alternatives to conventional building products.
The key to making a
building green is to ...
Rolf
Priesnitz is the Publisher of Natural Life Magazine. He also has 40
years experience in the construction industry. Read his complete
bio.
