“Get the Home You Always Wanted and Give the Environment a Break” is the message from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
The Homeowners’ Guide to Green Renovation brochure (available at www.chba.ca) helps you to “think green” when you plan to make changes to your home. A green renovation will reduce your impact on the environment. It will provide a more healthy and comfortable living space for you and your family, as well as lower monthly operating costs and increased value.
The brochure is a great starting point for your project. It outlines the three steps to greening your renovation plan:
- Increasing the energy and water efficiency of your home
- Ensuring clean indoor air
- Choosing resource-smart materials and products
Each step is described clearly with concrete suggestions for actions you can take to improve the environmental performance of your home. A checklist will help you and your renovator work through options for each area of your home.
By far the most important step is saving energy and water. Decisions you make today will have a big impact on the environment, and your wallet, for many years to come.
Renovation is also the perfect opportunity to improve the quality of the air in your home and protect your family’s health, and your home itself, from mold, chemicals and other pollutants.
Whether large or small, any project can incorporate green choices. Many of today’s products and systems deliver better performance with less impact on the environment than even a decade ago.
As you get ready to plan your green renovation, get professional assistance. Experienced renovators can explain the features, costs and benefits that matter to you. They also know how to match “old” and “new”, and how to integrate state-of-the-art green technology with the existing structure of your home. You can enjoy the improved performance of your home and peace of mind.
