Remodeling with Sustainability in Mind
May 07, 2009
Remodeling with Sustainability in Mind
By Tracy L. Frye
Whirlpool Corp.
Sustainability is one of the most encompassing concepts to ever influence the American building, design and remodeling industries. And, it’s here to stay.
Growing consumer interest in sustainable building and remodeling has presented contractors with a choice: learn how to implement sustainability into your work or be left in the proverbial dust. Implementing sustainable construction practices into all of your projects will allow you to do your part for the environment and may even increase business opportunities.
In this article, we will address remodeling with sustainability in mind. We’ll explain how sustainable remodeling tactics benefit both the environment and the bottom line, and cover the prime components of sustainable remodeling strategies. A good place to start is with a definition of sustainability, to differentiate it from a color with which we’ve become quite familiar in recent years.
Sustainability vs. Green
The most widely accepted definition of sustainability is traced to a 1987 United Nations conference, which defined sustainable developments as those that “meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” Since it shares common environmental preservation goals with the green movement, the word “sustainable” is often used interchangeably with green as a modifier. That usage, however, isn’t 100 percent accurate.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines this usage of “green” as “concerned with or supporting environmentalism” or tending to preserve environmental quality (as by being recyclable, biodegradable or non-polluting).” Though the two terms are closely related, green focuses specifically on the environment, and sustainability covers a much broader area. In a remodeling context, sustainability means making improvements to an existing structure to minimize electricity and water consumption and improve indoor air quality. These improvements benefit both the environment and the home/building owner, while contributing to the home or building’s long-term efficiency.
Set Your Sights on Sustainability
More home and building owners are now strengthening their understanding of how a sustainable lifestyle will benefit them and future generations, and most important, help preserve the environment. This is helping sustainability gain a stronger foothold in both the new construction and remodeling fields. Homeowners are beginning to realize that certain improvements made in various areas of their home to increase energy and water efficiency not only help the environment, but can also lower their monthly utility bills—a powerful selling point. Plus, with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, homeowners could recoup 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500, on several sustainable remodeling projects, including the installation of energy-efficient windows, doors and HVAC systems.
To meet the needs of a sustainable-minded public, remodeling contractors need to become well acquainted with the three main elements of sustainability—energy efficiency, water efficiency and indoor air quality. The most successful sustainable projects are the ones that set high standards in each of these areas.
Efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump is determined by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. The higher the SEER rating, the greater the efficiency and the more the potential for savings on energy costs. Whirlpool® 14+ SEER packaged units are available with the new, environmentally friendly R410A refrigerant. This chlorine-free refrigerant is better for the environment, and it transfers heat more efficiently.
Energy efficiency means using less energy to provide the same or greater level of energy service. There are several ways to do this. One of the best ways would be to guide customers toward current Energy StarÒ qualified appliances, which consume far less energy than appliances manufactured 10 years ago or earlier. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) designed to protect the environment and help consumers save money in utility costs by promoting the use of energy efficient products and practices.
According to recent Energy Star statistics, Americans, with the help of Energy Star-qualified appliances, saved enough energy in 2008 to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 29 million cars and saved a remarkable $19 billion on their utility bills. Since Energy Star’s development in 1992, most appliance manufacturers, such as Whirlpool Corp., have placed a strong emphasis on meeting and exceeding the standards set by the program. Replacing an inefficient, older stove, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, or washer and dryer can lead to significant energy savings.
When researching energy-efficient air conditioning systems, however, always look for the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating. The higher the SEER rating of an HVAC system, the more energy efficient it is. The SEER rating is the British Thermal Unit (BTU) of cooling output during a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy input in watt hours during the same period. As of January 2006, all residential air conditioners sold in the United States must have a SEER of at least 13, and Energy Star qualified central air conditioners must have a SEER of at least 14.
The energy efficiency of furnaces is rated by a different measure, based on Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). The AFUE measures the amount of heat actually delivered to the house compared with the amount of fuel that is supplied to the furnace. For example, a furnace that has an 80 percent AFUE rating converts 80 percent of the fuel supplied to heat. The other 20 percent of fuel is lost up the chimney. The DOE requires all furnaces sold in the United States after 1992 to have a minimum AFUE of 78 percent.
Adding insulation throughouta home or building is another way of improving energy efficiency. A well-insulated home or building retains more heated and cooled air and uses less energy to maintain the same temperature. In addition to installing insulation in walls and attics, it is also wise to insulate HVAC ductwork, as it helps minimize the leakage of conditioned air.
Lighting presents another area of opportunity for increased efficiency. Contractors can install fluorescent lights and/or skylights in buildings, which produce the same level of illumination as incandescent lights, but with lower energy consumption. By the same token, many homeowners have achieved the same effect replacing their incandescent light bulbs with new compact fluorescent light bulbs. Some remodeling contractors are also recommending and installing light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, as it is much more energy-efficient than compact fluorescent bulbs. LED lighting also produces less heat than fluorescent lighting and thereby helps reduce the demand put on the air conditioning system.
With the many technological advances achieved during the last decade, most major appliance and building product manufacturers have created a huge variety of products geared toward achieving high energy efficiency in homes and buildings. It is important for contractors to learn all they can about such products and educate their customers on their importance in any sustainable strategy.According to the International Energy Agency, energy-efficient buildings, industrial processes and transportation could reduce the world's energy needs in 2050 by one-third.
Water efficiency is the accomplishment of a function, task, process or result—such as washing dishes or clothes—using the least amount of water possible. Wasteful use of water has created many problems for the ecosystem and the global population. According to the Second United Nations World Water Development Report, if present levels of consumption continue, two-thirds of the global population will live in areas of water stress by 2025. Water stress occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period of time or when poor quality restricts its use.
The new Whirlpool brand Duet® washer and dryer pair are the brand’s most eco-friendly pair to-date. The new Eco Normal cycle on the Duet Resource Saver™ dryer offers a precise set of heat and moisture detection sensors, which improve dryer energy usage by 40 percent when used together.The new Duet washer uses 74 percent less water and 80 percent less energy than a traditional top load washer.
The World Water Council reports that, at this time, about 2.6 billion people in the world do not have safe drinking water. In addition, there have been gradual changes in climate, population growth and lifestyles, which require more water per capita. This is quickly increasing the competition for water all around the globe.
As with energy efficiency, the federal government has developed a program aimed at promoting water efficiency. WaterSenseÒ, a partnership program sponsored by the EPA, makes it easier for Americans to save water and protect the environment by rating the water efficiency of water fixtures, such as faucets, toilets and showerheads. The WaterSense label is a mark of quality, water-efficient products. Another thing to watch for is steam-cleaning technology used in dishwashers, washers and dryers. The use of steam delivers powerful cleaning results, while requiring less water (and chemicals, in some cases).
Contractors should be well versed in the wide range of current water-efficient appliances and fixtures available today and be able to steer their customers toward the best choices in a water-efficient retrofit.
Indoor air quality, or IAQ, is another important component of sustainability, as it influences the health and comfort of home and building occupants. IAQ can be damaged by airborne microbial contaminants, such as mold and bacteria; gases, including carbon monoxide, radon, and volatile organic compounds (VOC); particulates; or any mass or energy stressor that can induce adverse health conditions. Installing better ventilation systems to dilute air contaminants, using air filters and controlling air contaminant sources are some of the best methods for improving indoor air quality in most buildings.
Another good idea is to employ airflow and moisture management strategies. These usually involve the installation of an air barrier and vapor barrier to accompany insulation in the walls. Air barriers help prevent the infiltration of air from the outside, and vapor barriers prevent the entrance of excess moisture. Though keeping external air and moisture out of the home or building is an important step, it is also crucial to have good ventilation throughout the home to prevent the accumulation of moisture and polluted air created internally (i.e. water vapor from showers, chemical fumes, cooking odors, etc.)
Preventing the accumulation of moisture is critical as it could lead to mold growth when exposed to dirt or debris. Mold growth on walls and ceilings can lead to structural deterioration, as well as health problems for occupants. Mold can also accumulate in uninsulated HVAC ductwork if moisture and debris are present. Insulated ductwork is a good solution to this problem, as it helps prevent condensation caused during air transmission and provides a mold-resistant surface for the ducts.
Mold spore inhalation has been known to cause anything from recurring headaches to more serious respiratory ailments, such as asthma and Legionnaire’s Disease. Ensuring good IAQ is a big deal.
Other sustainable suggestions
Reading up on sustainable building practices or taking classes on the topic are good steps towards a better understanding of how to deploy sustainable building and remodeling practices. It’s also a good idea to follow the sustainability standards set by today’s green building programs, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEEDÒ program or GREENGUARDÒ. In line with these green building programs, many contractors are beginning to recycle the bulk of their jobsite waste. A growing number of manufacturers are now offering recycling programs, which accept jobsite waste shipments from contractors. The manufacturers recycle the waste and use it to make new products.
With an ever-increasing number of potential customers taking interest in sustainable lifestyles and remodeling, it can be beneficial for remodeling professionals to learn sustainable building techniques and implement them into their projects. What’s important to remember, though, is that sustainable building and remodeling is an all-or-nothing proposition—if you’re going to do it, you need to walk the walk and talk the talk. Today’s consumers are smart and have better access to information than ever before. If you’ve promised sustainability and any element of your work or business operation doesn’t measure up to sustainable standard, there’s a good chance they will eventually find out. Remodeling sustainably means remodeling responsibly.
Tracy Frye is senior contract marketing manager at Whirlpool Corporation. For more information on Whirlpool Corp. and its offerings for remodeling professionals, visit insideadvantage.com or call (800) 253-3977.