As homeowners become more conscious of indoor health issues, increasing energy costs and their own impact on the environment Green Bathroom Remodeling Nashville TN is becoming more popular. Every indication points to the continued growth of the Green Building and Remodeling market. It is not just a fad or passing curiosity. It is here to stay and eventually will be the only way to build.The goals of Green Remodeling are straight-forward and the benefits are tangible. The use of environmentally safe products is one of the most important goals in any green project, but this is especially true in a residential remodeling project.


The use of environmentally safe products is one of the factors leading to better indoor air-quality and thus better overall health of the occupants.Nashville Bathroom Remodeling Another is the use of improved, more efficient ventilation systems and the use of non-toxic building materials, paints and finishes. Indoor air-quality is affected by pollutants brought in from the outside, toxic chemicals inside, and the pollutant-producing activities of the occupants. It is the goal of Green Remodeling to reduce and mitigate these factors.


Improved energy efficiency and lower energy costs is another prime goal of Green Remodeling which emphasizes the use of energy efficient appliances and lighting, and the use of programmable thermostats and tank-less water heaters. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that $ 20 billion less energy could be used each year if current buildings were green-improved.

 


Reducing the amount of construction waste generated from a Nashville Bathroom Remodeling project is another important goal. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, construction waste accounts for 20% of the waste in landfills, or about 136 million tons annually. Green Remodeling aims to reduce this waste by recycling as much of it as possible from the job site and using products made from recycled materials whenever possible.

 


In general, Green Nashville Bathroom Remodeling focuses on reducing operating costs by increasing the efficiency of systems; reducing emissions from toxic materials and improving the indoor air-quality; and Bathroom Remodeling Nashville TN using environmentally safe building materials and ecologically sound building practices. These aspects can greatly affect the value of the building and the overall health and productivity of its occupants.

 


Green Bathroom Remodeling Nashville TN differs from Green Building. Although the principles that govern Green Remodeling are shared with other green design and construction projects, there are a few aspects that are unique. The first noticeable difference is in the range of projects that constitute a Nashville Bathroom Remodeling project. Whereas the design and construction of a new structure generally entails everything from site work to mounting door hardware, a remodel generally entails only certain systems or rooms.

 


While in new construction most everything about the building is known, having been designed and built from scratch, in remodeling there are always existing conditions, some of which are unknown, to deal with. The need to stage sequenced projects around the client's need for certain things to be completed before others is another fairly unique aspect of remodeling, as is the fact that most of the work is of a custom nature.

 


Green Remodeling is not just about product selections. It is as much about the process. Synergies are created when the approach is directed at integrating systems into a "whole-house" philosophy. Green Remodeling requires the same professional coordination and integration at all levels as does new green construction. Good design and construction are the cornerstone of any green project. And while you can have a quality project that is not Green, you cannot have a Green project that is not also of high quality.

 


Because the remodeler must adhere to standards and apply techniques which enhance the sustainability of the project Green Remodeling is more of a challenge than run-of-the-mill remodeling. This is not to say that every Green Remodeling project must encompass every system, room or finish in the structure. Green Remodeling can be accomplished in small, individual ways, choosing the elements that fit the situation. Toxic paints and sealants can be removed and replaced with non-toxic, environmentally safe products to increase indoor air-quality. Programmable thermostats and additional insulation, especially around pipes, can be installed to reduce energy costs.

 

Older, inefficient appliances can be replaced with more energy efficient models. Natural flooring materials or rugs made from natural fibers and fabrics can be used in place of synthetic coverings to reduce out-gassing of noxious fumes. Lighting fixtures can be replaced with energy efficient, dimmable fixtures to reduce energy waste. Green Remodeling can be as simple as purchasing locally-made products so as to reduce the emissions caused by shipping products from other regions.

 


Green Remodeling represents a major component in the overall push to "go green", and is a topic of further study by not only remodeling contractors but architects, interior designers and engineers as well.

 


You can learn much more about Green Remodeling in Andrew Manzini's online continuing education course, Green Remodeling (6 PDH; 0.6 CEU), at CEU-HQ.com, along with over a dozen other courses dealing with Green Design and Construction.

 

Will Guidry is a registered architect, Java program developer and author of continuing education courses for architects, engineers, interior designers and landscape architects. You can find his courses at CEU-HQ.com.