8 Tips to Make Your Remodel More Energy Efficient and Your Home Healthier

As long as you’re remodeling, why not cut your utility bill and make your
home a bit healthier?


1. Check for water intrusion, condensation, and excess moisture before you
begin the project. Fixing those issues during remodeling can improve your home’s
indoor air quality (excess moisture encourages mold).


2. Use the least amount of framing allowed by your building code when adding
walls. Not only will you have to pay for less lumber and fewer nails, the
contractor will have more room to put insulation in your walls, making your home
more energy efficient. Also, install energy efficient windows if your budget
allows.


3. Resist the urge to splurge on multiple shower heads. Opt for a single
low-flow shower head rather than installing a car wash-style plethora of shower
heads. Also, if you haven’t replaced your toilets in YEARS, replace them with
low-flow toilets.


4. If possible, add new HVAC ducts to parts of your home that are heated and
cooled, rather than placing them in a space with unconditioned air (like the
attic). If that’s not possible, insulate the ducts. Have an HVAC diagnostician
analyze your system to make sure it’s sized correctly and balanced to properly
exchange old and new air. I have an HVAC guy that can even help make your
existing unit better for those family members with asthma and allerigies by
installing a special one year filter and UV light. Call me for more info!


5. Be sure to insulate around recessed lights that protrude into un-insulated
attic spaces — these are major sources of air leaks.


6. If you’re wasting water, you’re wasting energy. Look at high-efficiency or
Tankless water heaters and insulate your water pipes. If you want hot water
faster, move the water heater closer to the faucet or install demand pumps to
drive hot water to the fixture.


7. Install wall-mounted efficiency toggle switch plates for the outlets where
you plug in your televisions and computers to make it easy to cut off the power
to electronics you’re not using.


8. A humidistat that automatically turns on the bathroom fan when moisture
rises beats depending on teenagers or tenants remembering to use the fan.
Reducing bathroom moisture reduces the chances you’ll have mold.


If you need help with your remodeling project, please email or give me a call
as I have a list of preferred vendors that can help you as well


HAPPY REMODELING!!


Donna Broadus, Associate Broker
Cassidy & Company RE
www.donnabroughtushome.com
donna.broadus@gmail.com