A great way to add value to your home.Remodeling is an excellent way to add value to your home. And when you are ready to move, it will help sell your property faster. The areas most often remodeled are the kitchen and the bathroom, with the addition of an extra bedroom close behind.
With more people becoming aware of the need to think about sustainability as we go about our daily lives, remodeling is an activity that can be done in a way that helps save money with energy efficient appliances and the use of renewable resources.
Here are a few suggestions for green remodeling from the National Association of Remodelers Council that can save you money and help the environment at the same time.
- Replace your old refrigerator if it is more than 10 years old and save $100 a year.
- Energy Star-rated dishwashers use 41 percent less energy than less efficient models and can save $90 over the life of the appliance. Change to a newer model and cut your electric bill by $30 a year.
- A new oven/range can be an energy saver if it is a model that uses induction cooking. Induction cooking uses an amazing 90 percent of the energy produced. A convection oven is 20 percent more energy efficient than a conventional oven.
- Use recycled or reclaimed wood for kitchen cabinets and consider recycled glass or concrete for countertops for a contemporary look that gives these products a second use.
- If you are replacing floors, think about durability. Wood floors last a lifetime and can be made from renewable resources such as cork or bamboo. These renewable woods are easy to take care of and give warmth to any room, including your kitchen.
- Replace your water heater if it is over 10 years old. Since about 15 percent of your energy bill goes to heat water—most of it used in the bathroom—an energy efficient tankless water heater can save you $40 to $100 annually.
- Check your showerheads. A high efficiency showerhead can take $15 a year off of your water bill and help conserve water as well. Don’t forget the toilet. The newer ones use water efficiently and can save over $90 year in water cost.
New products are coming on to the market constantly responding to our desire for a healthy environment. By planning ahead, you can increase the buying power of your remodeling budget and build in savings for years to come.
Premiere Mortgage has offices on Maui and Kaua‘i and provides a wide range of services to the real estate community. Tricia Morris may be reached on Maui, in Kihei, at 874-8800, Wailea, at 891-8900, West Maui at 665-8800, on Kaua‘i at (808) 822-2300, or toll-free at (800) 813-7711.