| We've all heard often enough that it's time to | | | | replace your current roof with a white tile or |
| start thinking and acting green. We're depleting the | | | | white metal roof. In addition, there are other |
| Earth's resources in record amounts, and it's | | | | things you can do when replacing a roof that will |
| becoming more and more clear that we need to | | | | cut energy use and conserve resources. Those |
| start thinking in terms of protecting and | | | | include adding skylights, installing a rainwater |
| preserving the Earth and her resources when we | | | | collection system and retrofitting struts for |
| build. Despite all the public knowledge about the | | | | hurricane protection. Additional cost: Depends on |
| importance of sustainable and renewable building | | | | the materials chosen. Savings: Hundreds in energy |
| practices, there's still a lot of resistance to the | | | | savings and thousands of gallons of water |
| idea of "going green". One of the biggest reasons | | | | - Landscaping and Outdoors. If you're redesigning |
| - the notion that it's more expensive to use | | | | your outdoor space, you'll find some surprising |
| sustainable materials and consider environmental | | | | ways to reduce your use of energy and increase |
| issues. | | | | the efficiency of your home. For instance, the |
| Obviously, it's not financially feasible for most of | | | | shade from a pair of trees on the south side of |
| us to completely gut our homes and replace them | | | | your house can reduce your cooling costs during |
| with totally green and environmentally responsible | | | | the warmer months. If you choose deciduous |
| buildings, but that's not the only way to | | | | trees, you'll have shade in the summer months |
| accomplish the goal of living a greener life. There | | | | and sunlight during the winter months. Xeriscaping |
| are a lot of things that you can do on a | | | | can save you the cost of a sprinkler system |
| shoestring budget (see my article from last week | | | | since native plants are designed to flourish on |
| for some ideas) that don't require any major | | | | Nature's sprinkling with no assistance from |
| investment of either time or energy. You can | | | | manmade irrigation. |
| take bigger steps toward living a greener life | | | | - Adding a pool or spa. If you're planning to add a |
| when you're ready to make major renovations to | | | | pool or spa to your property, be sure you include |
| your home. While there's a general belief that | | | | an installed cover that is easy to use. The |
| choosing greener products and alternatives will | | | | greatest water loss from pools and spas is |
| cost you more money, that's not always true. In | | | | through evaporation, so an installed, convenient |
| many cases, the greener alternative costs no | | | | and easy to use cover can help reduce your |
| more than or even less than the traditional option. | | | | water use. In addition, the Florida Green Home |
| In nearly all cases, you'll make up any additional | | | | Standard from the Florida Green Building |
| cost over the course of a few years. Take a | | | | Association suggests that you install a sanitation |
| look at what it will cost you to choose green in | | | | system that reduces the need for chlorine and |
| some of these popular home renovations: | | | | other chemicals. A solar pool heating system can |
| - Repainting/Re-siding. Going to repaint or reside | | | | virtually eliminate the $500-$1,500 per year that it |
| your house? Choose a light color. Light colored | | | | costs to heat an outdoor swimming pool in Florida. |
| paint costs no more than any other color, but it | | | | - Replacing Hot Water Heater When it's time to |
| can significantly reduce the amount of energy | | | | replace your hot water heater, there are a |
| you'll use to cool your home because it reflects | | | | number of energy-friendly alternatives to |
| heat instead of absorbing it. Additional cost: $0 | | | | traditional hot water tank heaters. Solar hot water |
| Savings: Lots on your electric bill The same applies | | | | heaters can reduce your utility costs by |
| to indoor spaces, by the way. If you're repainting | | | | $150-$500 a year, depending on whether you use |
| bedrooms, living rooms and other living spaces, | | | | them as a complement to regular heaters or on |
| consider light colors with at least 50% reflectance. | | | | their own. In addition, many Florida utility |
| - Upgrading Kitchen/Laundry Appliances. Is it time | | | | companies offer incentive programs to encourage |
| for a new look in your kitchen? Look for the | | | | the use of solar hot water heaters. Depending on |
| Energy Star whenever you buy appliances. | | | | the program, you could receive a credit of up to |
| According to the Department of Energy, you can | | | | $450 on your electric bill to offset the original |
| save up to $600 a year in energy costs by | | | | purchase and installation costs, and then an |
| replacing your current appliances with Energy Star | | | | ongoing energy credit when you sign up for |
| rated appliances. You'll also see a bonus when it's | | | | special programs, as well as federal and state tax |
| time to sell - kitchen upgrades and new, energy | | | | credits and rebates that can total as much as |
| efficient appliances are a huge selling point with | | | | $2,500. When you add that to ongoing savings of |
| home buyers. Additional cost: depends on | | | | up to 85% per year, you'll see that going solar |
| appliances and styles chosen Savings: Up to $600 | | | | really makes sense. If you're not ready to make |
| annually Buying a new clothes dryer? One that | | | | the plunge to solar, there are low energy electric |
| uses a sensor to time drying rather than a timer | | | | and gas alternatives. Like any other appliance, if |
| can save you up to 15% in energy costs by | | | | you shop for the Energy Star, you'll be buying a |
| reducing the amount of time your dryer runs. | | | | hot water heater that is highly rated for |
| Added bonus - you'll reduce the wear and tear on | | | | efficiency. |
| your clothes from over-drying. | | | | - New Floors and Room Additions. Choose |
| - Bathroom Renovations Multiple shower heads at | | | | sustainable materials for new room additions and |
| different levels may be temptingly luxurious, but | | | | floors. Bamboo floors are one alternative, though |
| you get points as a greener home if each shower | | | | some question any product that has to be |
| in your home has one shower head. Make it a low | | | | shipped from across the world. Other options |
| flow shower head to reduce water usage, and | | | | include using reclaimed wood for floors and |
| add a low flow toilet to reduce water use even | | | | building, often available at less than the cost of |
| further. According to the EPA, toilet flushing | | | | new wood. Check with salvage companies nearby |
| accounts for 30-40% of in home water use. | | | | to find out what's available. |
| Additional Cost: comparable to conventional | | | | No matter what renovations you're doing, you'll |
| fixtures Savings: Thousands of gallons of water | | | | find that there are green alternatives that aren't |
| annually | | | | much more expensive than the traditional |
| - New roof or roof repairs. A light-colored roof will | | | | alternatives, and many that cost even less. When |
| serve the same effect as light colored exterior | | | | you factor in the ongoing savings and the added |
| walls. In Florida, you can get a code credit if you | | | | value to your home, green is the best way to go. |