The word "green" gets tossed around so much these days, it's in danger of losing its punch. But in the world of houses, it can still pack a wallop where it counts: in a homeowner's wallet.
In some instances, that wallop isn't a savings. Going green can be expensive, experts say, and exorbitant costs can take years to recoup.
"Typically, people are looking for a return on their money in five to 10 years, but that can still make green a hard sell for many buyers," said Richard Feis, a LEED-certified builder who heads his own firm in Marietta. "I think green products are still coming on slowly, and part of that may be because 'green' is so overused — everything is 'green' now."
Yet there are affordable ways to incorporate green features into a home, whether it's in the construction phase or undergoing a makeover. Some are easily attacked as a weekend DIY project; others definitely need the aid of an expert. But many provide positive results, from financial savings to the warm-fuzzy feeling of knowing you've done something positive for the planet.
"The first thing is that people want to save money on their energy bills," said Feis. "I see a lot of people with older homes who can't heat them in the winter or cool them in the summer. That means they need a more energy-efficient house."
While solar panels and geo-thermal heating and cooling systems will do the trick, they are often twice as expensive to put in as traditional HVAC systems. But there are other options, starting with the home's envelope to make sure none of the heated or cooled air is escaping. Simple steps such a caulking and weather-stripping around doors, windows, vents, pipes and electrical outlets can make a difference. Lock windows to ensure a tight fit that cuts down on drafts. Installing glass fireplace doors keeps air from escaping up the chimney. More expensive options include replacing single-pane windows with double-paned glass, installing highly efficient appliances or upgrading the HVAC system.
One of the most cost-effective ways to tighten a home's envelope is to improve the insulation.
"The most efficient thing you can do is spray foam on the attic rafters," said Feis. "Most of your heating and cooling escapes into the attic, so that's where you'll see the biggest payback. Spray foam can easily pick up more than 10 degrees, so if you're running the air and the thermostat says its 85 degrees, we can get it to 75 without doing anything to the HVAC system. That's huge. It costs about $5,000, but most people think it's worth it."
Homeowners can cut their water bills and conserve that natural resource by replacing traditional 3-gallon toilets with low-flow or dual-flush models and installing low-flow showerheads and faucets. Those who don't want to mess with the plumbing will find even shorter showers are another water-saving tactic. Tack a timer onto a shower wall as a reminder to shut off the supply after five or 10 minutes instead of 30.
Throughout the house, more materials are now made of sustainable or recycled products that are eco-friendly as well as attractive. In some cases, they're even more durable than their counterparts. Construction Resources in Decatur stocks an assortment of sustainable products for builders, remodelers and homeowners. One of the firm's hottest lines is Piedrafina, a marble product ideal for bathroom sinks and counter tops.
"It's extremely cost-effective — around $36 a square foot," said Angelique Baez, the company's design director. "Instead of crushing the marble, they make uniform chunks, add resin and turn it into a slab. Not only is it made of stuff that would have gone into the dumpster, but it also gives a very high-end look in showers, tub surrounds and vanity tops."
One of the easiest ways to remodel or build with eco-friendly materials is to incorporate recycled items into the plan. In Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity's ReStore on Memorial Drive (habitat.org) is packed with building materials as well as accents that sell well below retail and contribute to the organization's cause at the same time. Recently, the nonprofit Lifecycle Building Center (lifecyclebuildingcenter.org) opened in southwest Atlanta and is stocked with a range of deeply-discounted, salvaged material.
"We get materials from all kinds of projects," said Executive Director and architect Shannon Goodman. "We actually got started through a demolition project of the CDC where we salvaged 33 tons of material — carpet tiles, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, grab bars, mirrors, polished Travertine wall panels, storage units, HVAC equipment, even garage doors. There are so many benefits to reusing materials, and one of the biggest is the savings that substantial. Typically, we sell for 25 percent to 50 percent of what you'd pay for new. And recycling is much better than throwing things away. If you can use items in their original state, that's even better."
Even if homeowners aren't recycling, they can go green by buying locally, said Feis.
"Just buying something within 500 miles is a great gas savings," he said. "If everyone was sourcing their resources locally, it would cut down on an enormous amount of shipping."
