Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Green Remodeling

As you may know, Rob is certified as a Certified Green Building Professional (GCBP) through the National Association of Home Builders. According to the NAHB, the "designation recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes- without driving up the cost of construction."

We have decided to continue our commitment to environmental best practices by utilizing email for the majority of communications with clients and friends.

In the spirit of "going green," we'd also like to share some information about our environmentally aware repertoire:

  • We are certified dealers and installers of Rinnai tankless water heaters. Conventional water tanks heat and store hot water around the clock, heating and re-heating water, and constantly losing energy up the vent and through the walls of the tank. A tankless water heater comes on only when hot water is used, and shuts off immediately when done, saving energy. All Rinnai tankless units are either LP or natural gas fired.
  • We are certified dealers and installers of WaterFurnace geothermal heat systems. WaterFurnace is a natural heat pump system that taps in to the consistent underground temperature of the earth. WaterFurnace products are environmentally friendly, efficient systems that can reduce heating, cooling, and hot water costs by up to seventy percent. One of the best ways to get value for your home improvement project is to select products that have low usage costs.

Other "green" products we recommend include:

  • Energy star rated appliances
  • Energy star rated windows
  • Watersense rated plumbing fixtures
  • Upgraded insulation packages
  • Richlite counters
  • Marmoleum flooring
  • Concrete counters
  • Recycled, natural floor products
  • James Hardie siding products
  • Paperless drywall
  • Whole house ventilation
  • Solar heating
  • Cabinetry made with FSC wood
  • Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints

As you may be aware, Governor Kaine is proposing tax credits for those who install green energy systems such as solar heating and geothermal heating. Let us help you help the environment and your pocket book: give us a call today about making your home more environmentally efficient.