Reliable Remodeler Blog » green building

What does “green remodeling” really mean?

woodrow — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:43:36 +0000

You’ve heard a lot about green remodeling. Many new homes are constructed with green building materials, appliances, windows and doors. Green, in short, means that the initial builder or homeowner making a sustainable home improvement is concerned with energy efficiency, indoor air quality, the conservation of natural resources and, ultimately, home value. Let’s look at the [...]

What does “green remodeling” really mean? is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Smart green building devices that promote energy efficiency

woodrow — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:26:14 +0000

Have you heard about smart meters? A smart meter connects homes with the electric grid. It’s a two-way communicator that helps homeowners truly examine their energy use and make decisions about how to operate their appliances, HVAC systems, and lighting. Depending on your utility provider, your smart meter can help you determine the best hours (known [...]

Smart green building devices that promote energy efficiency is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Remodeling with bamboo flooring

woodrow — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:45:54 +0000

I love the look and feel of bamboo flooring. Color tones that resemble caramelized sugar add amazing warmth to a room. Bamboo flooring is known to be durable and kind to your feet. Maintenance, as you’ll see, is relatively simple and straight-forward. If you’re committed to green building and remodeling, you can shop for manufacturers that [...]

Remodeling with bamboo flooring is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

The last straw: green building alternatives to particle boards

woodrow — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:14:01 +0000

I’m not a big fan of particle board construction. First and foremost, I don’t care for the off-gassing of toxic resins, binding materials and fillers. Second, I’ve seen too many shabby “budget” particle board cabinets, ceiling materials and building panels. If the home improvement materials and supply industry wants to protect homeowners while producing low-cost [...]

The last straw: green building alternatives to particle boards is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Green home improvement: Time for an energy audit

woodrow — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:19:15 +0000

It’s a good time to talk about conducting your energy audit. It’s summer outside, reasonably dry, and you may want to assess your energy efficiency before the winter rolls in. One of the best home improvement projects to consider during this flat home-sales era is to plan for efficiency remodeling. Green building has become a staple [...]

Green home improvement: Time for an energy audit is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Dishwasher Care and Maintenance

woodrow — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:18:55 +0000

I grew up washing my family’s dishes, pots, and pans by hand, so I appreciate having a dishwasher in my home today. I wait until it’s full before running it and I always set it to operate at the economy setting. For me that means no electronic drying. I’m concerned about my energy bills. But, [...]

Dishwasher Care and Maintenance is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

What’s Next for Home Improvement Tax Credits?

woodrow — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 02:52:00 +0000

Last month, when President Obama signed the $858-billion federal tax bill the provisions included a continuation of tax credits for energy efficient home improvement projects. The bad news is that the amount cuts out two thirds of the total amount from green home remodeling, which may be the kiss of death for encouraging home owners [...]

What’s Next for Home Improvement Tax Credits? is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

New Year’s Energy Resolutions

woodrow — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:13:23 +0000

According to the ENERGYSTAR division of the government, the average American family spends about $2,200 a year in heating and cooling their homes. Some of you must be scoffing at this. In a recent interview with SmartMoney, the EPA’s Maria Vargas said Americans cut $17 million on their HVAC bills in 2009, using energy saving [...]

New Year’s Energy Resolutions is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Time Running Out on Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

woodrow — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:12:13 +0000

On midnight December 31, 2010, the Federal tax credit program on renewable energy improvement projects for your home expires. Under the provisions, homeowners can receive Federal income tax credit up to 30 percent of the cost of materials up to $1,500 per appliance or energy efficiency system that you install in your permanent residence. New [...]

Time Running Out on Energy Efficiency Tax Credits is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Quick, Efficient Projects for the Weekend

woodrow — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 23:36:17 +0000

This time of year, most home improvement bloggers weigh in with indoor improvement suggestions as the weather turns stormy around the country. One favorite topic is how to create greater energy efficiency through the cold months without having to lay out a large amount of money. You read a lot about setting thermostats and installing [...]

Quick, Efficient Projects for the Weekend is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Five Winter Energy-Savings Measures You Can Take Now

woodrow — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:23:24 +0000

You’ve worked all year, putting money aside for holiday shopping or a winter’s trip to the islands, but a stunning energy bill can send your ideas packing. By now, it’s pretty hard to avoid straightforward energy savings measures that are inserted in your utility company statement or that are blasted all over the media. But [...]

Five Winter Energy-Savings Measures You Can Take Now is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Quick-Change Tips for Energy Efficiency

woodrow — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 23:42:15 +0000

I’ve always maintained that the wallet–not the heart–can drive the nation toward energy efficiency. Despite our most admirable convictions, it’s been the rising cost of energy that has fuelled Americans’ efforts to cut back on burning up energy. Now, even the financial mavens at Yahoo have gotten into the act, advising consumers that the green [...]

Quick-Change Tips for Energy Efficiency is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

The New Solar Tiles Are Hot

woodrow — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:33:25 +0000

Eventually it may be so easy to collect solar energy that homeowners will find it second nature. Dow Chemical has plans to develop and sell solar shingles, roofing materials that have embedded photovoltaic materials. That’s especially good news to homeowners who live in communities where subdivision or neighborhood caveats forbid the use of the current [...]

The New Solar Tiles Are Hot is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

Take Another Look at Efficiency Remodeling

woodrow — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:37:34 +0000

With home prices in parts of the country slumping to a 15-year low, homeowners continue to look at putting money into their existing residences rather than trying to sell them. Sales dropped on resale homes by a painful 27 percent in July 2010, and with potential buyers awaiting the free fall to hit the bottom [...]

Take Another Look at Efficiency Remodeling is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.

A Second Look at Cork Flooring

woodrow — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:53:27 +0000

I’ve been reading more and more articles about cork flooring. Is it that the green, alternative product is gaining in popular use among homeowners, or are home-improvement bloggers just beginning to discover the properties of these natural products that are kind to the foot? Some 70 percent of harvested cork is still used to create [...]

A Second Look at Cork Flooring is brought to you by the home remodeling pros at Reliable Remodeler. Get more of your questions answered at Ask the Contractor.