“Going Green”
by Carole Ponzio, CAPS, CGA
Design Solutions!

“Going Green,” as related to remodeling or new construction, has many facets. Eliminating or reducing the “carbon footprint” (a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide) of the way we live and the products we use is the main focus to going green…and the energy efficiency of those products.

Materials such as insulation, paints, stains, carpeting, flooring and countertops can produce significant off-gassing in the home.

The green products that are available today are much more plentiful than just a year or two ago. Some of the options that we now have are:

  • Paints – with a low VOC (volatile organic compounds)
  • Flooring - carpeting made with corn sugar instead of petroleum; wood floors made from renewable timber (bamboo, exotic woods from sustainable forests, engineered wood floors & cork flooring)
  • Countertops & tiles – made from recycled glass, concrete and a mix of products
  • Insulation – higher in energy efficiency and lighter in weight
  • Toilets – more water efficient
  • Sinks – made from recycled glass or cast iron products
  • Lighting – energy efficient LED or florescent bulbs to replace incandescent bulbs
  • Appliances – energy star ratings save energy and money over the lifetime of the appliances

And these are just a few of the components that could be included in a moderate home remodel. For a large scale job, energy efficient air conditioning units with programmable thermostats, windows and doors with UV and wind resistant glass, proper landscaping to include native plants for low maintenance as well as trees for shading, solar heating, metal framing and tankless waterheaters are all green additions to your project.

“A remodeling project can generate between 70 & 115 lbs of waste per square foot” so recycling deconstruction products can make a huge impact on landfill sites and future production of new products. Contact local collection companies to learn how to separate your products so they can be recycled.

Even small “remodeling” jobs can start you on the road to “going green” by using the proper paints and flooring or by just replacing light bulbs. For more information on green building check out these websites … Florida Green Building coalition (www.floridagreenbuilding.org), U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org), and the Building Green website (www.BuildingGreen.com)

(Some of the information for this article was taken from Qualified Remodeler Magazine, 12/07)

Carole Ponzio CAPS, CGA is the owner/designer of Design Solutions! in Charlotte County. Consultations for remodeling or new construction design for aging in place, accessibility, kitchen, bath or complete remodeling are by appointment. Call 941-629-4100 or visit our website www.designsolutions-fl.com Design Solutions! is a member of the CDBIA, NAHB and FHBA