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Starting a Green Renovation

Green renovations are a new concept that is just now evolving from the new green building initiatives. Very positive changes and techniques are rapidly emerging to provide better energy efficiency, use more renewable resources and incorporate old strategies as well. Green renovations are not cookie cutter fixes – each home has its own uniqueness and requires specific solutions. 

The first considerations are the 4 R’s . The first three you are familiar with – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. These principles have the biggest positive impact for the environment when we practice them. The 4th R is Really think. Take time to decide what the expected outcome of your project is, what the impact to the environment is and how this comes about. It is about more than planning nice things, but what is the impact of what I am doing.

How do I put all that together?

A large green renovation project has 5 steps.

  1. Home Inspection.  Determine what a home needs in terms of the basic structural, safety and important fixes plus identify potential hazards. Get a certified home inspector to provide a review of your home and provide a detailed report. Ask the potential inspector for his/her experience. Look for a registered home inspection accreditation (RHI) professional.
  2. Energy Audit.  Find out what energy savings can be applied to project. Obtain the services of an independent and experienced energy auditor such as Greensaver. They will do a thorough review of your home looking at heat loss, air quality and conduct tests such a blower door test to assess heat loss. The report will identify items to correct, save you money on the project and reduce your footprint.
  3. Planning. Sit down with a builder and architect if possible to put the previous reports together with what you wish for your project. Then you have the entire picture.
  4. Construction. Build the project with all 3 pieces of information - the building needs, the energy savings potential and your wishes.
  5. Savings Recovery. Apply for, and receive the Ecoenergy grants and rebates.

Al Seymour
President
Muskoka in the City Inc.

URL: www.muskokainthecity.ca
Tel: 905-812-8872
Email: info@muskokainthecity.ca

 
 
Contact Al today!
For more information, contact Al Seymour at info@muskokainthecity.ca 
 


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