Shades of Green (2)

When starting your remodel, select a designer, architect or construction firm that is qualified to help you design a more efficient infrastructure. Ask them about improving indoor air quality, more efficient heating and cooling, or reducing energy and water usage. Simple observations can lead to big improvements, like:

• Does the temperature differ between rooms or floors?
• How many zones do you have for heating and cooling your house?
• Do you feel drafts from under cabinets, at windows, standing near the tub?
• What kind of insulation do you have and when was it installed?
• Do the windows have condensation or are there water stains on the ceiling or walls?
• How old is your roof?
• Do you have single or double-pane windows?
• How efficient is your furnace? Your water heater? Your appliances?
• How much water do you use to irrigate your lawn and plants?
• Have you considered drip or adjustable irrigation, or low-water plants?
• Is your driveway and patio of concrete, or are they permeable?
• What sustainable materials make sense for your remodel
• Are you planning to recycle your old cabinets and appliances?

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