A greener home
Sebastian Staines
Sustainability is a word on everyone's lips these days. From businesses to homeowners, there's an increasing desire to ensure that we live and work in a responsible way that positively impacts our planet. Find out how, with Yellowsack's flexible dumpster bags, your home remodelling project can be even greener.
There are many reasons to move to a more sustainable way of living, from improved quality of life, preserving our natural resources, and protecting our ecosystem. That's why many people choose to focus their environmental intentions not only on their work but also on their home life. Building or remodeling a home in an environmentally friendly way has so many benefits; a greener house is a safer, more healthy environment; it's not only better for your welfare, but it's also highly cost-effective. You'll enjoy lower bills and increased energy efficiency, and, contrary to popular myths, eco-friendly houses require less maintenance. As the building industry becomes more equipped to build green homes, you find it easier than ever to work with a company fully versed in best practices and suppliers. And by deciding to remodel rather than completely rebuild, you'll positively impact the environment.
You'll avoid many negative aspects such as:
Hurting the environment with newly harvested and wasted materials.
Off-gassing of toxins
Increasing the amount of construction and demolition waste and debris
Why eco-building is best
There are so many positive reasons why eco-building is the best option for your renovation or construction project:
Water and Energy Efficiency
As the population grows, so do energy prices - even if the initial installation seems expensive, you will very quickly see a return on these costs in the price cut on your bills.Reduced Maintenance
One of the main objectives of a sustainable home is to build a structure that lasts and doesn't require extensive maintenance.Healthy environment
So many traditionally used home materials contain harmful substances. Eco materials are free from toxic chemicals and pollutants. So your home environment is safer and healthier.Lower carbon footprint
By reusing and reclaiming materials for your renovation, you can reduce your carbon footprint.
Higher property value
As opinions change, and contractors and suppliers are more able to work with eco materials, greener homes become a more realistic solution - one that can result in higher sale prices. USGBC reports that "green homes sell at higher prices and faster than comparable, conventional homes."
“Green homes sell at higher prices and faster than comparable, conventional homes.”
Green modeling myths
However, many popular myths deter people from pursuing green home remodeling and construction - here are just a few:
Green remodeling projects are more expensive
There are so many ways to remodel your home using eco-friendly materials; for instance, by salvaging and repainting doors and cabinets that cost the previous owner a fortune, you could reuse them and save yourself thousands of dollars in the process.
Green materials are hard to find
Today, green materials are more accessible to source than ever; from wool insulation, eco flooring, bark siding, and alternative roofing, many places supply these substitute materials. More on materials later.
A green home requires everything to be replaced
No, the more you try to save and reuse, the more you save on manufacturing and transportation costs. Think about flooring that can be refinished instead of replaced. However, there are some exceptions. Items that are attached to energy or water sources, if replaced, can reduce costs, for instance. Many toilets are inefficient. See bathrooms below.
Green, organic, eco-friendly equal green materials
Not necessarily - it is worth being diligent because many companies may claim to sell green products which aren't, in fact, very sustainable. There are currently no EPA regulations around descriptions like "natural," "organic," or "sustainable. See Elemental Green's 23 Green Certifications to look for when building or remodeling your home.
Eco materials are not attractive
Not true - as the demand for environmentally friendly materials grows, so do your options, whatever your taste.
Contractors and familiarity with green remodeling materials and practices
While some contractors aren't that familiar with green remodeling and construction, the increasing demand means it is beneficial to their business to familiarize themselves. Seek professionals that have the required knowledge. A contractor who doesn't work with green materials will make your project expensive unless they have an understanding of green suppliers and practices. Norstone USA reports that "nearly one-third of builders say that more than 60% of their projects are on green remodeling." That's an encouraging figure, one that is set to increase rapidly.
Check your HERS energy rating
Before you start your project, it's helpful to check your houses’ energy performance, indicating how sustainable your property is. The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the industry standard by which a homes energy efficiency is measured. It's also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home's energy performance.
A home with a HERS Index Score of 70 is 30% more energy-efficient than a standard new home
A house with a HERS Index Score of 130 is 30% less energy efficient than a standard new home
For more information on HERS, see here.
Green on a budget
If your budget hinders your project, it may be beneficial to think about rolling it out in phases:
Things to focus on are
Energy-efficient appliances
On-demand water heaters
High-efficiency insulation
Solar technology
Phase two could incorporate
Sustainably harvested woods
Reclaimed lumber for system rebuilding
Reclaimed fixtures
Rainwater collection as part of your home plumbing system
Deconstruct instead of demolishing
Where possible, avoid material waste and deconstruct your renovation instead of completely demolishing. Think about items and materials that you can keep and reuse. Recycling doors and wood, molding and cabinets, all these things can save you money and benefit the environment.
Dual Concept Rooms
Another efficient idea would be to think about how you are using your space. A smaller home is more efficient, and unused rooms could be used for more than one purpose. The pandemic has meant that many of us work from home so that a smaller guest bedroom could double up as an office space. Use bookshelves, screens, curtains, and plants to segment your space for maximum use.
Kitchen
A green kitchen is better for healthy living and energy efficiency. There are many elements in your renovation to think about in your kitchen. Think about cabinets and flooring, some of which may contain formaldehyde that emits dangerous gasses, glues, sealants, and certain paints may have specific toxins (more on paints below). Try to think about using natural materials for countertops and flooring and backsplashes like wood and stone. For instance, natural linoleum lasts twice as long as vinyl flooring. Granite is one of the most popular countertop materials since it can last for generations. Think about classic designs that will stand the test of time and won't need replacing as kitchen trends change.
Bathroom
As mentioned earlier, water is one area where greener solutions will pay dividends. By installing and maintaining efficient toilets, plumbing systems, and sink and shower faucets, you'll save significantly on water usage. Elemental Green reports that "By replacing old, inefficient toilets with water sense labeled models, the average family can reduce water used for toilets by 20 to 60 percent—that's nearly 13,000 gallons of water savings for your home every year! They could also save more than $110 per year in water costs and $2,200 over the lifetime of the toilets."
Consider installing a low-volume and dual flush toilet and use natural ceramic and non-toxic cement for hardware and sink basins.
Avoid VOC's
When choosing materials, avoid supplies containing VOCs or Volatile organic compounds as these can pose long-term health problems. Speak to your contractor or supplier about VOC-free materials.
Typical sources of VOC are
Paint, varnishes, caulks, adhesives
Carpet, vinyl flooring
Composite wood products
Upholstery and foam
“Excellent insulation will significantly affect your energy efficiency; the many available options will reduce your heating bills and your carbon emissions.”
Other ways in which you can make your home more sustainable
Insulation
Excellent insulation will significantly affect your energy efficiency; the many available options will reduce your heating bills and your carbon emissions. Sheeps Wool, Cotton, Cork, and recycled plastic are some examples of excellent insulators that are non-toxic and biodegradable. Before you change your insulation, make sure all gaps and seals are completely plugged. If there is airflow through the insulation, the insulating capacity will be diminished despite your choice of material. Insulation materials are indicated by their R-Value. The higher the R-value, the better the material. Read more about green home insulation at SFGATE.
Windows
Windows play a crucial role in energy efficiency. Double-Glazed windows are sustainable and energy-efficient. Avoid uPVC windows; they release harsh toxins into the air. Additionally, some purchases may be eligible for tax incentives. See the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE).
Carpets
A wool rug will not only feel better under your feet, but it will outlive your synthetic carpet by up to 45 years. Synthetic carpets not only can release toxins, but they are a false economy!
Wood
Reclaim the wood from your deconstruction; not only will it add character to your renovation, but wood from old buildings and furniture is often taken from mature trees that are stronger and longer-lasting.
Renewable energy
The use of fossil fuels impacts the environment; alternative options for your home are solar panels, biomass boilers, and heat pumps. All these options are cost-effective and an excellent alternative to traditional sources. Norstone USA suggests that by choosing to install solar panels, the average savings over 20 years was predicted at just over $20,000. Other sources include light tubes for day lighting. Skylights are also an excellent source of natural light, and though the initial investment may seem expensive, you'll see a return on your energy bills. Solar panels can also heat your water. According to Norstone, hot water panels decrease bills by 50 to 80 percent, and you will see the payback in 6-10 years.
Smart Technology & Appliances
Technology is a significant part of our everyday lives. Still, by adopting innovative technology such as smart thermostats and lighting, you will be saving on heating and lighting that you may have forgotten to turn down or off before you left the house. Use the EPA's Energy Star program to ensure you have made the most sustainable choices in your appliances. See more here.
Eco-friendly paints
Water-based paints are an excellent eco-friendly option for your home, they not only have a smoother finish, but unlike oil-based paints, they are produced in a more energy-efficient manner. They are also long-lasting and safer for your health. Water-based paints have low or no levels of VOCs. Dispose of the cans responsibly by waiting for any residual paint to dry thoroughly before removal, and do not pour down the sink because the excess can contaminate water supplies.
These are the many ways to create a safe, more environmentally friendly home when you choose to renovate responsibly. At Yellowsack, we are constantly striving to reduce the waste to landfill ratio. By choosing our flexible dumpster bags to dispose of your unused remodeling materials, you can finish your project in the safe knowledge that you have used a company that believes passionately in sustainability for any of your unwanted materials. So while green is the main objective, a little bit of yellow at the end of your project is a good thing too!
