High Performance Remodeling.

Article provided by Earth Advantage, Inc.

See enduring benefits when you renovate with healthier indoor air, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in mind.

Talk to anyone who’s been through it, and they’ll tell you that home remodeling is an experience like no other. With dozens of features, colors and materials to choose from, today’s option list for renovations is unparalleled, if not downright daunting.

No matter what the finished product looks like, however, performance and comfort are perhaps your home’s most valuable attributes. So shouldn’t those characteristics figure prominently into the “buying decision” when you make remodeling choices? Many homeowners have discovered that choosing earth friendly materials that save energy and promote healthier indoor air can make a home more durable, not to mention easier on you and the environment. And, as a bonus, you may become eligible for special energy efficiency incentives from the state.

“Improved comfort and performance are just a couple of the benefits to homeowners who design their remodeling project to be energy efficient, earth friendly and favorable to healthier indoor air,” says Jeff Divers, remodeling specialist for Portland General Electric’s Earth Advantage program.

“Depending on the scope of the project, you may increase your home’s overall durability and value by including sustainable features in your design. And if you choose to include measures such as upgraded insulation, a high-efficiency heat pump, duct installation and sealing, upgraded windows or a high efficiency water heater and appliances, you may be eligible for state rebates and tax credits from the Energy Trust of Oregon or the Oregon Department of Energy,” he adds.

But sustainable, or “green”, building goes far beyond energy efficiency. The term refers to construction practices that are designed to tread more lightly on the planet- through resource- efficient methods and materials- and incorporate features that promote healthier indoor air for your family.

It’s a trend that has gained increasing momentum in residential construction over the last several years.

Earth Advantage introduced sustainable remodeling in 2002. The program, the first of its kind in the Northwest, is offered to homeowners by remodeling companies that support sustainable practices in home renovation.

Divers says Earth Advantage remodelers have an advantage in that they can more easily discover and locate sustainable products that promote energy efficiency, healthier indoor air and environmental responsibility. They gain this edge through a detailed database and program checklist that allows remodeler and homeowner to choose measures that may be incorporated into the design.

Whether it’s a less-toxic adhesive or stain, flooring made from natural and in vogue linoleum or more efficient lighting, the Earth Advantage remodeler has the latest in sustainable building products at his or her fingertips.

Several remodelers in and around Portland participate in Earth Advantage, so homeowners now have increased access to a professional capable of building according to the program’s standards. Remodelers can be located on the Earth Advantage website, www.EarthAdvantage.com, or the homeowner’s contractor may contact the program for information on participating.

Once the homeowner defines the project with the contractor, selections are made from Earth Advantage features within the areas of healthier indoor air energy efficiency, resource efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Then, the contractor submits the project and its “menu” of green measures to be retained on file with Earth Advantage as confirmation of the value you’ve designed into your home.

“One of the most positive long term benefits of choosing to remodel to Earth Advantage standards is that it helps you to do your part for the planet,” Divers says. “It gives the homeowner the ability to lessen a home’s impact on the environment while still delivering the beauty, comfort and durability that’s expected from a quality renovation.”

To find our more about building or remodeling a home with sustainable materials and practices, contact Portland General Electric’s Earth Advantage program at 1-888-Earth-33 or visit www.EarthAdvantage.com.

Contact the Oregon Department of Energy at 1-800-221-8035 with questions about the Residential Energy Tax Credit Program, and for information on cash rebates for energy saving measures, call the Energy Trust of Oregon at 1-866-368-7878.

Content republished with permission from Earth Advantage, Inc.
www.EarthAdvantage.org
(503) 968-7160