Green Remodeling
GREEN REMODELING
Our Green Remodeling section highlights some useful tips for when you are thinking of making any upgrades on your home. Improvements to your home is a great way to save energy, add value, or just make it more aesthetically pleasing. There are endless projects these days that can be done on your home, as is obvious with all the home improvement shows on TV, and that's because so many homes have stood the test of time. Terra Sage will post new information under Green Remodeling regularly so you can always find new tips. Although we will write new articles and post updates in this section, please be aware that any article ever placed here will be archived on our Sage Advice/blog page.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AUDITS
The first step of any green remodeling project should be an evaluation of your home’s energy uses. This is especially important if you are considering installing renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, or microhydro systems (see Green Living section). By reviewing and then improving your energy consumption, you will ultimately need a smaller (and less costly) system.
Although you can do your own efficiency audit of your home, you may be limited to what you can effectively evaluate without all the equipment that a professional auditor has available. To locate an auditor, first contact your local electric or gas utility provider. Some utilities provide free or low-cost audits for their customers. If your utility does not provide that service, check your local yellow pages under “energy” for a residential energy auditor. For more information see the U.S. Department of Energy’s website on home energy audits at:
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11180
Sealing your home to energy losses is an important step in any green project. As determined by the energy efficiency audit, this can include caulking existing windows, adding insulation in attics and basements, and replacing old windows. This “sealing the envelope” will greatly reduce your energy consumption. Note that it is also important to consider any possible radon hazards (especially when sealing your home); this invisible and odorless natural radioactive gas can accumulate in your home if it is very well sealed and you are in an area of the country that has high radon levels (see EPA’s map of radon zones http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html). Testing for and fixing radon is easy and inexpensive and should not be overlooked.
REMODELING
When it comes time to do some remodeling in your home, the first consideration should be what can be re-used. An enormous amount of materials that still have usable life or could be used for other purposes are dumped into landfills. Therefore, carefully consider what really needs to be replaced and what can be re-used. For example, if you are remodeling your kitchen and replacing the cabinets, you could use the old cabinets in the garage for storage. Or, they could be donated to a local school or other non-profit organization. There are many ideas for re-using materials that are still functional, if a bit worn out. If there is no further life for the old materials anyplace, the next consideration should be whether all or any part of the material could be recycled. Finally, the last option should be disposal in a landfill.
If there are areas that will require purchasing new materials for your green remodeling project, the key aspects to consider in your purchases should be:
• whether the material is from a renewable and sustainable source;
• whether any toxic chemicals are part of the product;
• what energy is used in the production and shipping;
• potential health effects from exposure to the material during installation and use;
• durability; and
• options for reuse, recycling, or disposal when its lifetime is over.
Another important consideration in your green remodeling project should be the selection of a contractor who knows how to minimize construction waste; extra materials from construction projects traditionally end up in landfills, and account for 35% of the waste in landfills.
Paint
One of the simplest steps in doing a green remodeling of your home is in selecting new paint that is more environmentally friendly than traditional paints. Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and is considered by EPA to be in the top 5 hazards to human health. Paint is a major contributor to adverse indoor air quality, and typically contains various chemicals such as petrochemicals, solvents, formaldehyde, and benzene. These are used in the pigments, binders, and carriers that make up paint, and are part of a group of compounds called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although not all VOCs are harmful, those contained in paint can contribute to headaches, fatigue, asthma, and cancer, particularly indoors where the pollutants accumulate. The VOCs are released during painting and, after the paint dries, can off-gas for years. Potentially harmful heavy metals such as lead, chromium, and cadmium can also be in paint products.
Many green paints are now available that can be grouped into three categories: natural paints, zero-VOC paints, or low-VOC paints. They generally are water-based rather than petrochemical-based, emit lower or no hazardous fumes, and are not considered to be hazardous for disposal purposes. Selecting any of the green paints will be less harmful to human and environmental health than traditional paints.
• Natural paints are made from ingredients such as milk, clay, soy, plants, or minerals, and contain no heavy metals or VOCs; they are considered the safest for human health and the environment. However, there can be limitations with colors and the ability to withstand washing of walls, and may require more frequent repainting.
• Zero-VOC paints must have less than 5 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of VOCs, according to EPA regulations; they typically will contain some VOCs in the tints.
• Low-VOC paints use water as a carrier rather than petroleum-based solvents, and must have less than 200 mg/L of VOCs. Paints with the Green Seal standard will have less than 50 mg/L VOCs.
Flooring
Approximately 70% of floors in the U.S. are covered with carpet that is manufactured mainly from nylon, which is a petroleum-based product. Not only does this use a non-renewable material source (i.e., petroleum) at a high rate (one barrel of oil is used to make 450 square feet of carpet), these synthetic carpets, backings, adhesives, and treatments can be high in VOCs that, as discussed above with paints, can be hazardous to human health and the environment. In addition, the only disposal option for carpets that are worn out is into a landfill, where they will stay forever and occupy a large amount of space (four billion pounds of used carpets go into the landfills every year). The other traditional option for flooring has been petroleum-based vinyl flooring for kitchens and bathrooms; this contains chemicals known as phthalates that are increasingly a health concern. Both types of flooring often use glues that contain formaldehyde, another product that can cause health problems. Finally, the use of hardwoods for flooring, though made from natural products, have typically not been harvested using sustainable practices, and the often toxic finishes can have harmful health effects.
Greener options are now available for more eco-friendly flooring, and include cork, bamboo, natural linoleum, sustainable and reclaimed wood, ceramic tiles, concrete, and natural or recycled content carpeting. (Note that there have been some places that recommend the use of old railroad ties as a recycled flooring option; however, this is not a good material to use in your home, as railroad ties were treated with chromium copper arsenate and creosote. None of these chemicals are safe for your home!)
• Cork flooring is one of the greenest options available. Cork is harvested from the bark of the Mediterranean cork oak, which then grows back and can be harvested again about every 9 years such that the tree is not destroyed. Cork is very durable and cushiony, though be sure to choose a finish that is low in VOCs and avoid using glue in the installation.
• Bamboo flooring is a relatively new flooring option. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that can reach maturity in 3 or 4 years, and creates a floor similar to hardwoods in terms of hardness and maintenance. However, there have been some problems with integrity of the floors as far as warping and denting; it is important to have a reliable manufacturer. In addition, all bamboo needs to be imported from China, which consumes energy for the shipping.
• Natural linoleum is often confused with synthetic vinyl, but is actually made primarily from renewable and biodegradable resources: linseed oil, pine resin, sawdust, cork dust, and limestone, with a backing of jute. It is a good alternative to vinyl flooring, with low VOCs, good durability, and resilience, though it is more expensive and requires a bit more maintenance. Choose low-VOC adhesives or tongue-and-groove planks for glueless installation.
• Wood flooring options include reclaimed wood, which is wood flooring salvaged from older buildings that are torn down. Often the older wood can be higher quality because they were from old-growth trees, and use less energy for processing. The other option is sustainable wood flooring; this uses hardwoods that have been harvested according to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards that aim for a sustainable industry. Be sure the individual wood is FSC-certified.
• Ceramic tiles have been made for centuries from a natural resource (i.e., clay), though it is non-renewable and uses a lot of energy in the double firing process. Be sure that the glazes are non-toxic, especially if the tiles are imported.
• Concrete flooring is a good option for a home with passive solar heating: the concrete absorbs the heat from the sun during the day, and releases it as the temperatures drop at night. Made from limestone, which is available locally in many places so it doesn’t need to be shipped long distance, concrete can be mixed with fly ash (a by-product of coal-produced electricity generation) and slag, which would normally go to waste. If the concrete is produced in a dry-process kiln, 50% less energy is used than in a wet-process kiln. Very stable and durable, concrete on the other hand does not have much cushioning. Again, be sure to use a low-VOC finish.
• As mentioned above, conventional carpeting poses many health and environmental problems due to the synthetic materials of the carpet, backing, and multiple chemical treatments they receive. If you do use conventional carpet, at least find carpeting that has the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label for the carpet, backing, and adhesives to ensure lower VOCs. Some companies offer modular carpet tiles that use low-VOC stickers rather than chemical glues, and tiles can be replaced individually thereby reducing waste. However, there are natural carpeting alternatives that can provide a greener choice. These include wool, plant fibers such as sisal, and seagrass. Wool carpets are naturally stain- and flame-resistant, long-lasting, and made from a renewable resource, though they are more expensive, require more maintenance, and need to be kept out of damp areas. Check to be sure that they are not chemically treated for moth-proofing and have jute backing. Sisal carpets are made from the agave plant, and are durable and easy-to-clean, though colors may be limited. Seagrass carpets are woven from an underwater plant and are also easy to care for; however, they often are backed with latex and stay the original green-brown color.
• Recycled content carpets are still a fairly new option; these are being made from a variety of materials including recycled plastic bottles, nylon, cotton, wool, or used carpets. These can be installed using tacks rather than glues to reduce the health impacts.
Insulation
As part of improving your energy efficiency, you may want to install better insulation during a remodeling effort. Fiberglass is still the primary insulation traditionally used in homes. However, there are increasing concerns about the health impacts of fiberglass similar to asbestos. In addition, it has been connected with black mold, which can cause severe health problems. Some greener options include recycled denim, wool, and cellulose.
• Denim insulation is actually made from the waste scraps of the manufacturers of jeans, which otherwise would go to a landfill. This is treated with a fire-retardant, but is recyclable and has no formaldehyde, VOCs, or small particulates.
• Wool insulation is made from a renewable resource with little energy used in the production process, has excellent insulation qualities, and is safe to handle; however, it is still not readily available in the U.S.
• Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newsprint and can be blown into the spaces, but there can be problems with dampness and flammability.
Fireplaces
Conventional wood-burning fireplaces are extremely inefficient, sometimes even having negative energy efficiency. They draw already-warmed air from the house, causing an increase in the fossil-fuel consumption by the conventional heating system. In addition, there is very poor heat exchange and high heat loss through the masonry and chimney, and if the fireplace is situated on an outside wall, it can actually conduct heat to the outside of the house. Because of incomplete combustion products as a result of burning wood, creosote forms, which can cause chimney fires and turn into particulates, causing air pollution and poor indoor air quality. Carbon monoxide is also a by-product at the end of the burn cycle, which can be highly hazardous.
Advanced-combustion fireplaces are an enormous improvement over conventional fireplaces, and can be built-in new or retrofitted into an existing fireplace. The design has an insulated outer casing to prevent heat loss to the outside of the house, good heat exchange to take heat from the flue gases, truly air-tight doors with special glass windows to transmit the radiation to the room, and a circulating fan to supply heat to the house. The existing flue may require a stainless steel liner to ensure good draft and no condensation of combustion products. These advanced-combustion fireplaces can be cost-effective complements to conventional heating systems.
Kitchens
When it is time to do a green remodel of your kitchen, you should consider design for reduced resource (i.e., energy and water) use and the use of green building materials. The first consideration is whether to replace your old appliances for reduced energy and water use:
• Refrigerators are the biggest energy consumer: they use about 14% of the total electricity of a home. The general rule of thumb for deciding whether to replace your old refrigerator is that if it was manufactured before 2001 (the year energy regulations changed and consequently dramatically improved the efficiency of refrigerators), replace it with a much more energy-efficient one. You should also consider downsizing: American kitchens typically have much larger-than-needed refrigerators. Also, consider purchasing a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom (side-by-side models use more electricity) and one without an automatic water/ice dispenser.
• If your dishwasher is more than 10 years old, it probably uses 8 to 15 gallons of water per load and should be replaced with one of the more efficient models that use as little as 4 gallons of water, and are much more energy-efficient.
• The recommendation for your old clothes washer is to replace it if it’s a top loader; the new front-loading machines are significantly more energy- and water-efficient. Also, consider using cold water in your washes to save even more energy.
• If your dryer is still working, keep it. The technology has not changed much with dryers and energy use doesn’t vary too much among the current models. You’ll do best with reducing energy use with replacing your washer with a front loader that wrings out more water so the dryer use takes less time. You can also consider line drying, which is free and uses no energy!
The other consideration in reducing resource use in your kitchen is the lighting. If possible, you should position workplaces near windows or skylights to take advantage of daylight. Then, install individually controlled task lights so that you don’t need to use more light than necessary. And finally, use compact fluorescent light bulbs that use less energy.
The main materials that are replaced in a kitchen remodel are the countertops, cabinets, and flooring, and green building materials should be considered. The various flooring options were discussed previously.
• There are many options for countertops, some greener than others; none are completely no-impact on the environment. As discussed at the beginning of the Green Remodeling section, there are many issues to take into consideration to select a green-as-possible countertop. The following very briefly lists the available options, and some of the pros and cons:
• Ceramic tiles are made from a natural (though non-renewable) resource (i.e., clay) and are highly durable, resistant to stains and burning, and have low maintenance; however, there is a lot of energy used in the manufacture and transport, and some glazes on imported tiles may contain lead.
• Concrete is highly durable, easy to clean, and recyclable, but requires a lot of energy to manufacture and transport (look for a local manufacturer) and a sealant to avoid stains.
• Glass tiles made from recycled materials are good for backsplashes, not necessarily for countertops, but are durable and resistant to stains and burning; however, they can scratch easily and require a lot of energy to manufacture and transport.
• Laminate made from recycled plastic, nontoxic glues, and formaldehyde-free substrate can be easy-to-clean and stain resistant; however, it has lower durability, is not recyclable, and may off-gas (be sure to avoid particleboard).
• Paper composite is made from paper (preferably recycled paper) and resin (preferably low-VOC resin) and is easy to clean, durable, from a renewable resource, and recyclable; the downside is that it can be scratched, and the lighter colors may show stains.
• Recycled plastic is highly durable, easy to clean, and made from recycled plastics that would otherwise go to the landfill; it may scratch, is not recyclable, and may flex over time.
• Stainless steel is highly durable, easy to clean, and recyclable (use salvaged metal or high recycled content), but can scratch easily and uses a lot of energy to manufacture and transport.
• Stone is very durable and from a natural (though not renewable) resource, is easy to clean, does not off-gas, and is recyclable; however, it requires a lot of energy to mine and transport, and requires a sealant to avoid stains.
• Terrazzo is an aggregate of glass or stone chips and binders that can use recycled materials, is highly durable, easy to clean, and resistant to stains and burning; however, there is a lot of energy used in transport because of the heavy weight.
• Wood is a natural and renewable resource (be sure to use FSC-certified or salvaged wood), doesn’t use much energy to produce, can be mechanically attached eliminating the use of glues, and can be recycled; however, it requires regular cleaning and sealing and can burn and scratch easily.
• If part of your kitchen remodeling includes replacing your cabinets, consider first whether you can re-use the cabinets. Sometimes refinishing the cabinets (with low-VOC finish) or replacing just the doors can update the look of the kitchen, while reducing the total waste generated by keeping the cabinet frames in use. If you do decide to replace the entire cabinet, consider using the old cabinets in another area of the house, e.g., the garage, as mentioned earlier. Or donate them to a school or other non-profit organization if they still have some use to them.
When deciding on a greener option for cabinets, be sure to look for cabinets that use recycled products and are formaldehyde-free (most cabinets are still made with particleboard, which contains formaldehyde). The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer’s Association (KCMA) has recently developed environmental stewardship guidelines for air quality, product resource management, process resource management, environmental stewardship, and community relations, taking into account every step along the way of a cabinet’s life. Cabinet material options include reclaimed materials, FSC-certified wood, recycled glass, end-grain bamboo, recycled paper, wheatboard (made from compressed straw), and recycled aluminum or steel.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are one of the most resource-intensive rooms of the house, using large quantities of water, and energy to extract and heat that water. Reducing the water consumption in the bathroom is an easy and effective step in greening your home.
• Toilets are the biggest consumer of water, and if your toilets are older than 1994, they consume more than twice the amount of water that modern toilets do. Replacing your old toilet with a new model instantly cuts down the energy use; you can reduce it even further by purchasing a dual-flush toilet that consumes only about 30% of what the old toilets did.
• Showers use about 20% of your home’s water; replacing the old showerheads with new water-saving versions can cut the water use by up to 70%, and is an easy and inexpensive option.
• Faucets also are a high consumer of water and energy; replace your old faucets with ones that have lower flow (i.e., 0.5 to 1 gallons per minute). If you are keeping your old faucets, you can install aerator heads, which help reduce the amount of water.
In addition to taking steps to reduce the resource consumption in your bathroom (which should also include installing energy efficient compact fluorescent lighting), be sure to select materials that have long life so you do not have to remodel again in a few years, thereby minimizing the amount of waste going to the landfills. Also, be sure to select decorating materials that are environmentally friendly and low-VOC, including bath mats, curtains, and paint (discussed above). Environmentally friendly flooring options for your bathroom (such as natural linoleum, cork, etc.) were previously discussed.
