NARI of Idaho announces its president, Josh Bogle, has been accepted as a NARI Certified Residential Green Professional.

Going Green with NARI

Green building practices have become a hot-button topic in recent years as consumers have become aware of the health risk associated with certain building products and the cost savings associated with building more durably and efficiently. The new Green Program at NARI helps remodelers address these issues.  If a remodeling contractor seeks to develop knowledge and skill in the area of green remodeling, says the Chair of the Green Education Sub-Committee, Chris Donatelli, CR, CKBR, the NARI Green program will help realize those goals.  This program thoroughly educates the contractor who desires to focus on environmentally friendly remodels. NARI of Idaho was proud to have one of its members accepted into the pilot course. With completion of this course, Josh Bogle, principle of the local company Green Remodeling, joins with twelve other contractors nationally as the first NARI Certified Residential Green Professionals.

Facets of Green Remodeling

Energy conservation

The average home today utilizes systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and most homes are not built as efficiently as they could be, all of which results in high energy consumption.  The U.S. Department of Energy believes if current buildings were green-improved, they would use $20 billion less energy per year.  Green remodeling puts a strong emphasis on making homes as efficient as possible with modifications like energy efficient appliances and thermostats that can be programmed at different temperatures for different times of the day.

Indoor air quality

There are many sources that contribute to the air quality inside a home.  They include pollutants brought in from the outside, toxic chemicals existing inside the home, and the activities of the occupants that create pollutants.  Major contributors are tobacco smoke, smoke from the burning of wood, coal, kerosene or other such substances, toxic fumes from sealants or chemicals from cleaning products, lead paint, asbestos from insulation, damp carpets or fabrics, and certain pressed-wood furniture products that release chemicals into the air.  Green remodeling seeks to remedy these problems with things like better ventilation systems and using wood, paint, and sealants that are nontoxic.

Reduced material waste and resource conservation

When remodeling a home, there is often a large amount of construction waste.  This amounts to 136 million tons of waste annually, according to the EPA, which in turn makes up 20% of the waste in landfills.  Green remodeling focuses on reducing this waste during remodeling and reusing materials whenever possible, as 85 to 90% of materials thrown out can be recycled. Using local materials, building with engineered lumber, and using recycling companies to remove waste are all ways this can be achieved during remodeling.

Environmentally safe products

Many products and practices used in the remodel of a home have negative effects on the environment.  From chemicals and materials that pollute the air to the disturbing of the surrounding landscape, a myriad of actions taken can cause harm.  With green, care is given to minimizing or eliminating products that could cause harm to the environment or the occupants during remodeling or after.

Benefits

Overall green remodeling proves to be very beneficial for homeowners.  It:

Reduces operating costs in the home by increasing efficie ncy

Conserves natural resources

Increases the value of the home

Improves indoor air quality and in turn, overall health

Reduces waste

Reduces emissions costs

Increases productivity of occupants

Improves quality of life

Ways to Implement Green Into Your Home

Green remodeling can be done in small ways and doesnt necessarily have to encompass the entire home.  Its easy to pick and choose elements that fit each particular homeowner.

Non-toxic paints and sealants

Programmable thermostats

Energy efficient appliances

Natural flooring

Local building materials

Natural fiber rugs and fabrics

Recycled material roof shingles and tiles

Energy efficient lighting

Insulated hot water pipes

Tankless water heaters

Quality insulation

Native plants for landscaping