Greening Existing Homes 5. What You Need to Know? Clients: Buyers need guidance on upgrade possibilities and valuing of green features. Sellers need green.

Greening Existing HomesGreening Existing Homes5

What You Need to Know?

96

Why Green an Existing Home?

97

Greening Challenges

• Consider:– Scope and complexity

of the project–Measurability and ROI

- HVAC vs. IAQ or aesthetic improvements

– Savings on utility costs – Impact on other home

systems

“Is the expense worth it?”

98

Whole House?

What Does “Green Home” Mean?

Source: The Shelton Group. EcoPulse 2009. Knoxville, TN: The Shelton Group; 2009.

Not every element of a home needs to be greened in order to make a difference in comfort and operation cost.

99

Integrating New and Old

• Updating one system may impact and require updates to another system.

• Historic homes may have restrictions on upgrades.

99

Getting Started

• What is the motivation?– Health, comfort,

functionality, water efficiency, other?

• What results are expected?

• Can recycled materials be used?

• Does the house provide enough daylight?

• Are utility bills high?• What is the budget?

ROI timeframe?

101

ASID & USGBC REGREEN

• Walkthrough assessment

• Check for air leaks first

• Assessments and audits

• What to Do Next?

102

Green Homeowners Insurance

• Certified Green = discounts– Perceived

homeowner care• Conventional homes

= higher premiums– Replacement systems

will be green products• Net metering liability

coverage – Additional coverage

for workers

103

Deconstruction

Deconstruction• Materials are re-used

Demolition• Materials go to landfill

104

Indoor Air Quality Issues

105

Reseal the Building Envelope

• Top four upgrades are part of the building envelope.1. HVAC2. Windows3. Window

equipment4. Doors

107

Deep Energy Retrofit

• The extreme of cost and effort.

• Can achieve 50–95 percent energy savings.

• Includes: – Building envelope– HVAC– Plumbing– Lighting– Appliances– Energy sources

110

Greening Opportunities

• New construction offers many opportunities.

• Opportunities also exist to green an existing home.– kitchen– bathroom– family room– bedrooms

111

The Green Household

• Waste management and recycling plans:• Avoid

environmental pollution and health hazards

• Prohibit disposal of hazardous materials in the sink, into storm sewers, or on the ground. 113

Disposal Issues

• Down the drain– Household products, lawn and garden

products, workshop/painting supplies, automotive products, pesticides

• Pet waste– May carry harmful bacteria

• Appliances– Contain potentially harmful materials.– Check local disposal and recycling

guidelines.

113

Changing Habits

• New green systems require:– an understanding of

proper use.– good green habits.Real estate

professionals should make sure they understand the green features of a home and can direct buyers to sources of information.

116

Summing Up

124

Summing Up

125

Green 100: Real Estate for a Sustainable FutureGreen 200: The Science of Green BuildingGreen 300: Greening Your Real Estate Business