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June 26, 2009

Go green with summer renovations

Maybe your flooring is cracked, or paint is peeling. Or maybe you’re building a whole new addition. Whether large or small, your home renovation project offers big opportunities: a chance to go green – for the planet, your health, and your finances too.

Two key things to think about as you plan your project are materials and performance. The materials you choose have a social and environmental impact before they even arrive at your home, making them better or worse “green” choices. And your reno project can save you money and protect the health of your family, if you consider its performance over time.

Below, we’ve collected some tips and links to get your project off to a great, green start.

Materials: Consider the “Rs”

Before you begin, keep in mind the first “R” of materials: reduce. After all, the best way to go green is to live lightly – consume less, reuse more, buy only what you need. So check your head! Don’t fall prey to the endless home decorating shows that would have you remodel every season, or toss out perfectly good furniture because it’s “dated.” (This might save you from undertaking the project and free up more time for backyard lounging!)

If you decide you need to renovate, consider what materials you can reuse or recycle. Look for a supplier of used building materials or reclaimed wood. See if there’s a place that will take your salvage, such as old cupboards, fixtures, carpet or tile. Try selling on craigslist (check the household section) or donate to charity. Avoid sending material to the landfill – that’s a big green step in itself.

When you need to buy new, consider the impacts of what you purchase. Seek wood products, from flooring to studs, that are certified as having come from sustainable forest operations. Choose labels, such as EcoLogo, that indicate environmental values.

Consider who was involved in making your materials – for example, check rugs and carpets to ensure they are child-labour-free. Asking questions like these at the store is a great way to send a message that these issues are important, and it helps shift the supply chain over time.

Of course, the easiest approach is to start where the legwork has already been done for you. Luckily, B.C. has several good options.

Light House Sustainable Building Centre, located on Granville Island in Vancouver, is a non-profit organization that exists to support a shift to green building – whether by training contractors, informing government policy or giving advice to homeowners seeking a low-flush toilet.

They offer weekly lectures by guest experts, a resource centre full of information about green building products and a website full of links for those who can’t visit in person. Take a look at their “Truly Green Home Guide and Checklist” for other great ideas.

If you’re in the Vancouver area, Greenworks Building Supply sells a wide variety of environmentally responsible building products. Their FAQ explains a number of green programs, certifications and concerns you may encounter as you plan.

The US Green Building Council also offers useful resources: a Guide for Green Home Renovations, a Green Renovation Checklist, and a Green Retrofit Checklist.

Performance: Efficiency and Health

The other side of a green reno is considering how your up-front investment can save you money over time. This is a big deal – we’re in a consumer market that heavily promotes “low price” as the most important criteria in any purchase.

However, if you factor in energy and water efficiency and durability (will your flooring, furnace and bathroom taps last a long time or need replacing soon?), you may find the price you pay today is only a fraction of the “lifetime cost". And decreasing the frequency of throwing things out because they’re broken or worn is a great step towards green.

To save money over time, focus on simple (and, yes, maybe less sexy) things first. Sarah McRaven, Manager of Education at Light House, explains, “Often folks get excited about buying solar panels to make more energy – but it’s not the most cost-efficient choice.”

She recommends starting with behaviour change – get used to turning off lights, air drying clothes, and taking short showers. Then, she says, “invest and earn,” in the following order:

1. insulate your home, to lose less energy, with in-wall insulation, Energy Star windows and doors and good draft-proofing;

2. update your appliances, lighting, and heating/cooling systems to use less energy;

3. generate, using solar panels or even geothermal technology, to make more energy.

In B.C., many of us pay relatively low prices for our household water. Still, installing water-efficient appliances and fixtures is critical to protecting this resource. And as energy costs rise, water costs will too – thinking ahead may save you money in the future.

Another important aspect of performance is to consider the health impacts of the materials you use. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) used in many floor and counter surfaces, fabrics, paints and adhesives can leach slowly from your new materials into the air, contributing to headaches, breathing problems and cancer risks (especially a concern if you have children).

There are now many products – including many paints – that us lower concentrations of or no VOCs, which is a great way to ensure your renovation enhances your quality of life. Ask your retailer, or look for a Greenguard label to be sure.

Finances: Save Some Green by Going Green

As you start planning, be sure to consider any financial incentives you may be able to tap for your project. BC Hydro and various agencies and governments offer programs to help homeowners upgrade. It’s worth checking to see if your project qualifies.

If energy efficiency is part of your plan, be sure to learn about LiveSmart BC’s home energy efficiency incentives.

Finally, note that planning ahead will make it easier to go green. Specialty materials, while not necessarily more expensive, may be in shorter supply and higher demand than mainstream products and may require ordering in advance.

And take care. As with all things green, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by details. Assess your needs, pick the environmental and social concerns that matter most to you, and aim for progress, not perfection. Renovations are already stressful enough!

Nina Winham is a Vancouver-based writer and sustainability consultant.