Green Remodeling

With the amount of lumber, concrete, and steel it takes to build a new home; it only makes sense to simply remodel your existing home. Provided your home is architecturally sound and has the potential to meet all of your needs, remodeling - instead of rebuilding - is one of the greenest things you can do. A thoroughly well-planned renovation can transform an ordinary home into your green dream home.

If your home is more than 20 years old, it is probably missing important features such as water saving fixtures, energy efficient windows, and insulation. A green remodel will not only fix these issues, it will also save you money on your monthly utility bills.

Any remodeling project can be overwhelming, especially when you don't know where to start. Some of the things to consider are:

• removing moldy carpets (leading casue of respitory problems)
• installing dual-flush toilets (saves you at least 20% on your monthly water bill)
• insulate your water heater (25% of every dollar you spend on energy goes to heat your water)
• efficient windows (the average home loses 30% of it's heat/air conditioning energy through it's windows)
• energy efficient appliances (energy star appliances can save you a good percentage on your energy bills)
• solar panels (pays for itself in 4-7 years.....think about it, no electric bill! Plus, it generates pollution and maintanence free electricity)
• Low-flow shower heads (reduce water and energy consumption by as much as 50%)

These are just a few of the things you can do to remodel your home in a responsible and green manner. Feel free to contact me for more ways that you can be green in remodeling your home.

Betterlivingenterprises@gmail.com

Green Building

With the green fever that has been sweeping the nation, why not also have that apply to building and remodling homes?

GREEN BUILDING is a way of building homes that allows people to be more responsible with our natural resources and energy. Whether building or simply remodling your home, green has become the most logical and economical choice.

The air quality inside our homes is worse than the air quality outside! This is due to formaldehyde in compressed wood counter tops and furniture, toxins in paints and common household cleaners; there are also the chemicals used to make our upholstry, linens and clothing. Just because you can't smell it does not mean it isn't lingering. This is why green matters!

A healthier way of building is to build green. In traditional construction, indoor air quality is polluted due to poor choice in building materials and inadequate lighting. A green home is designed, constructed and operated to enhance the well being of the occupants. Green homes also minimize the negative impacts on the community and environment.

A green home will:

• be easier to maintain and is built to last


• bring a higher resale value


• provide a healthier and more comfortable environment


• improve the indoor air quality


• provide occupant satisfaction


• incorporates energy and water efficient technologies


• include renewable energy technologies


• reduce construction and demolition waste

When you factor in the benefits I have listed, building a green home can save you money in both the construction and operation of your home.

Many people will tell you that building green will cost you more than a traditionally built home. In reality, with a clear budget, there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to build a green home for the same price, or possibly less than, a traditional home.

If you are interested in building green, one such company that can help you is FIVE EAGLES DESIGN, LLC (http://www.5eaglesdesign.com/index.html) located in Charlestown, NH.

Five Eagles Design, LLC is a group of general contractors and designers specializing in the construction of energy efficient homes. It is the goal of Five Eagles Design, LLC to provide customized energy star quality homes for an affordable cost. Their business will guide you through all aspects of the home building process. They are partnered with Preferred Building Systems, who manufacture high quality modular homes that are energy efficient, built green and offer a comfortable lifestyle for the owners.

So if you're in the market for a new home, why not buy into something that will help the planet and help you save money.