It's Easy Being Green - Green Remodeling Tips

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. Your local appliance stores should be able to steer you toward energy-efficient products, but for a guide to stores that carry Energy Star appliances, look to www.energystar.gov/ for the latest listings.

If you’re ready to take the plunge, however, and a complete green overhaul on a room or rooms is in your future, look no further than Built Green. Built Green, the environmentally-friendly, nonprofit, residential building program of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, can help pave the way with easy-to-understand rating systems, which quantify environmentally-friendly building and remodeling practices. Built Green can help you find a contractor or remodeler who will utilize green practices throughout your home for a healthier, more energy-efficient living environment.

Typically comprising 10 to 25 percent of the exterior wall area of new homes, research shows that heat gain and loss through windows accounts for up to 50 percent of a home's heating and cooling needs. High-performance windows reduce utility bills by keeping heat loss to a minimum, reduce fading of curtains, furniture, and flooring by blocking harmful UV rays, and can even make your house quieter by insulating your home from outside noise.

Energy-efficient appliances such as clothes and dishwashers use between 10 and 50 percent less energy than their standard counterparts, and can be a great investment that leads to lower electricity and water bills.