Getting Started on the Project: Planning

The first step in planning a green remodeling project is to list all the options for reducing the energy/water/greenhouse gas footprint of the structure. Templates for this process can be found on the Web at a number of places. One great resource is the Portland, Oregon Office of Sustainability downloadable Guidebook site, specifically, the “Green Home Remodeling Guide.” Another is the Seattle Department of Planning and Development’s City Green Building site.

The basic list looks like this:

Design and construction planning

■ Salvage Reusable Building Materials

■ Recycle Job Site Construction and Demolition Waste

■ Use Salvage Materials

■ Use Recycled-Content Materials

Site work

■ Install Permeable Paving

■ Install Rainwater Harvesting

Foundations

■ Incorporate Recycled Fly Ash in Concrete

■ Reuse Form Boards

■ Use Recycled-content Rubble for Backfill Drainage

■ Use Aluminum Forms

■ Install Rigid Foam Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Structure

■ Substitute Engineered Lumber for Solid Sawn Lumber

■ Use FSC-Certified Wood for Framing

■ Use Wood I-Joists for Floors and Ceilings

■ Use Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for Walls / Roof

■ Use Salvage Lumber

Exterior finish

■ Use Sustainable Decking Materials

■ Use Treated Wood that Does Not Contain Chromium or Arsenic

for Decking and Sill Plates

■ Use Fiber-Cement Exterior Siding

Plumbing

■ Install Water-Heater Jacket Insulation

■ Install a Tankless Water Heater

■ Insulate Hot and Cold Water Pipes

■ Retrofit all Faucets and Showers

■ Replace Toilets with Low Flow Models

■ Install Chlorine Filter on Showerhead

■ Install Water Filtration Unit at Faucet

Electrical

■ Install Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

■ Install Lighting Controls

Roofing

■ Select Light-Colored Roofing

■ Select Safe and Durable Roofing Materials

Appliances

■ Install Energy-Efficient Refrigerator

■ Install Water- and Energy-Efficient Dishwasher

■ Install Horizontal Axis Washing Machine

Insulation

■ Upgrade Wall and Ceiling Insulation

■ Install Recycled-Content, Formaldehyde-Free Fiberglass

Insulation

■ Use Cellulose Insulation

■ Reduce Air Infiltration

Windows

■ Install Energy-Efficient Windows

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning

(HVAC)

■ Use Duct Mastic on All Duct Joints

■ Install New Ductwork within Conditioned Space

■ Install 90% or Greater Efficiency Gas Forced Air Furnace

■ Install Zoned,Hydronic, Radiant Heating

■ Vent Range Hood to the Outside

■ Install Solar Attic Fan

■ Clean All Ducts Before Occupancy

■ Install Whole-House Cooling Fan

■ Retrofit Wood-Burning Fireplaces

■ Install/Replace Dampers on Fireplaces

■ Install Airtight Doors on Fireplaces

■ Install Heat Recovery Ventilation Unit (HRV)

■ Install Separate Garage Exhaust Fan

■ Install Effective Bathroom Fans

Renewable and solar energy

■ Incorporate Natural Cooling

■ Incorporate Passive Solar Heating

■ Install Solar Water System

■ Pre-Plumb for Solar Water Heating

■ Install Photovoltaic (PV) Panels

Indoor air quality/finishes

■ Use Low/No-VOC and Formaldehyde-Free Paint

■ Use Solvent-Free Adhesives

■ Use Low-VOC,Water-Based Wood Finishes

■ Substitute Particleboard with Formaldehyde-Free Materials

■ Use Exterior-Grade Plywood for Interior Uses

■ Select Formaldehyde-Free Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)

Flooring

■ Select FSC-Certified Wood Flooring

■ Use Rapidly Renewable Flooring Materials

■ Use Recycled-Content Ceramic Tile

■ Use Exposed Concrete as Finish Floor

■ Replace Vinyl Flooring with Natural Linoleum

■ Install Recycled-Content Carpet and Cushion

Given the nature of our situation – existing house burned out – some of this does not work, such as salvaging materials on site. While waiting for our insurance process, we began planning with the biggest need – making a 1916 house with no insulation more energy efficient.