Home Remodeling to Save Energy and Increase Value

Some good tips for home remodeling. Energy consumption in older homes can be dramatically improved with changes to heating and cooling systems, insulation, windows, doors, lighting and operating habits. At iGreenBuild.com we see an attractive market opportunity for the resale of homes that have been remodeled using eco-friendly products and sustainable concepts….even in poor market conditions for home sales.

Smart remodeling adds value to your home

Start planning for your summer remodel during Home Improvement Month

 

Des Plaines, Illinois, May 4, 2011—Spring is in the air, and homeowners are starting to plan their dream home remodeling projects. To commemorate May as National Home Improvement Month, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) offers homeowners a few words of advice for getting the most value out of your remodeling investment.

 

More Americans are staying in their homes rather than moving. According to Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey released in November 2010, 85 percent of the general population believed it was a bad time to sell their home. There’s a lot more to be gained through remodeling besides increased functionality, new appliances, efficient systems, updated décor, additional space or the pure enjoyment of making your home your own. There’s also the increased value your home receives when you make improvements.

 

With so many options available today, NARI offers a few considerations for homeowners who want to get the most out of their remodels.

• Curb appeal goes a long way. Exterior home improvements such as roofing, siding, windows and doors are subject to the elements and usually need to be replaced after a number of years. In terms of re-sale value, updated exteriors give sellers an edge over buyers who are attracted to your home before entering.  
• According to Energy Star, half of a home’s energy use is dedicated to heating and cooling. If a system is more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace it. New, energy-efficient systems are not only more cost-effective but are also better quality.  
• All homes benefit from increased insulation and sealing, regardless of climate. Older homes are traditionally under-insulated compared to new homes. And recent insulation innovations like spray foam or cellulose increase the ability to trap air inside. Proper insulation evens temperature flows, reduces energy use and has long-term benefits.
• Kitchen and bath renovations are still popular—and for good reason. Homeowners continue to see the value in updating areas of the home that are used frequently and are high functioning. Universal design concepts are commonly incorporated into kitchen and bath areas to accommodate people of all sizes and abilities and conveniences for long-term residents.  

 

Most homeowners can handle routine maintenance projects and cosmetic touch-ups, but it’s recommended they consult with qualified professionals for larger remodeling jobs and major changes to the home’s structure.

 

Homeowners that need to make several updates to their homes but cannot afford a complete overhaul may be interested in phased remodeling. In this instance, remodeling projects are broken into phases over time, for a long-term project plan. This also lessens the burden of remodeling to the homeowner as they remain in the home as work is being done.

 

As of April 22, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed new regulations for contractors working in homes built before 1978. The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule mandates that remodelers who intend to work in pre-1978 homes to register their company and complete an 8-hour training and certification course with an accredited trainer. The course teaches remodelers how to safely contain lead in a home as it is being disturbed and reduce exposure to residents and workers. Homeowners should be aware that this new rule is enforced and should be skeptical of any contractors who choose not to follow the law. Visit www.nari.org to find a Certified Lead Renovator in your area.

 

NARI members represent a select group from the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as professional remodelers.

 

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics.  Consumers may wish to search www.nariremodelers.com to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI. For the latest information on green remodeling, visit www.GreenRemodeling.org. Click here to see an online version of this press release.

 

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About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry.  The Association, which represents more 63,000 remodeling industry professionals — is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.”™ To locate a local NARI chapter or a remodeling professional, visit NARI’s Web site at www.NARIremodelers.com, or contact the national headquarters, based in Des Plaines, Illinois, at 800-611-NARI.

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: NARI can provide hi-res digital before and after photos of award-winning remodeling projects to accompany your story. Contact NARI with your photo request at marketing@nari.org or ask for Morgan Zenner at 800-611-6274.

 

If you do not want to receive e-mails from NARI please click here to unsubscribe.

 

 

 

Morgan Zenner

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

National Association of the Remodeling Industry

780 Lee St., Suite 200

Des Plaines, IL 60016

P: 847-298-9200

E: mzenner@nari.org

 

This blog post was approved by www.iGreenBuild.com, a New Venture Communications web property.

 

 

2011 ENERGY STAR Challenge: Race to New Orleans Celebration

Will you be in New Orleans for the 2011 AIA National Convention? If so, join us!

 

You are invited by the U.S. EPA to the

2011 ENERGY STAR Challenge: Race to New Orleans Celebration

 

When:  Friday, May 13, 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

Where:  AIA National Convention, Town Hall (Northeast corner of exhibit hall)  

Please join EPA in honoring the 2011 ENERGY STAR Challenge A/E firms and their projects for innovative energy efficient design and the winning region in the Race: The Big Easy Central. 

 

There will be a photo session for 2011 Challenge A/E firms with EPA and AIA Representatives. 

 

Take this opportunity to meet fellow practitioners who are bringing us another step closer to preventing carbon emissions through sustainable design and building practices. 

 

Invited Guest: Andrew Goldberg, AIA, Senior Director, Federal Relations

 

While in New Orleans, check out:

The ENERGY STAR Challenge Gallery (Main entrance to the right of Registration)
See many of the projects that achieved Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR (DEES) on display. 

 

AIA Seminar

Session # FA101

Are We There Yet? The Road to Performance with ENERGY STAR (1 HSW/SD/LU Hour)

Thursday, May 12, 11:45 AM–12:45 PM

Speakers:

·         Rives Taylor, FAIA, Gensler

·         Karen P. Butler, ENERGY STAR, Commercial Building Design Manager

 

Contacts at the AIA Convention in New Orleans

·    Luis Betanzo, The Cadmus Group, Inc., EPA Contractor

Cell: 703.258.4806

·    Vicky Kiechel, RA, LEED AP The Cadmus Group, Inc., EPA Contractor
Cell: 202.957.5763

 

 

Luis Betanzo

THE CADMUS GROUP

1555 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300

Arlington, VA  22209

Phone: 703-247-6123

FAX: 703-247-6023

www.cadmusgroup.com

 

This blog post was approved by www.iGreenBuild.com, a New Venture Communications web property.

 

 

 

Urban Land Institute Real Estate Summit - May 2011

ADAPTING FOR THE FUTURE:  GET INSIGHTS AND FORECASTS FROM INDUSTRY THOUGHT LEADERS AT THE URBAN LAND INSTITUTE'S REAL ESTATE SUMMIT MAY 18-20 IN PHOENIX
 

For more information, contact: Robert Krueger 202/624-7051; robert.krueger@uli.org

Numerous industry experts and economists are talking about the 'new normal' for the real estate industry.  Land use professionals in both the public and private sector are faced with adapting to current economic realities, while making long-term plans to stay competitive in the future.

What are the investment strategies and trends that will emerge from the current recession?  Will there be funding for transportation investments and what role will real estate professionals play in helping deliver bus rapid transit, streetcars, and other new transit systems?  How are healthcare institutions serving as catalysts for new workforce housing development?   With more people expected to rent in the years ahead – either by choice or necessity – is the rental industry prepared for a possible surge in demand?

These are just a few of the many land use-related topics to be discussed by leading industry experts at the Urban Land's Institute's 2011 ULI Real Estate Summit at the Spring Council Forum in Phoenix.  The Summit is set for May 18 – 20, 2011 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.   

The real estate industry's most influential professionals from the region and across the U.S. gather to attend this event every year.  This event has a tradition of featuring prominent guest speakers, knowledgeable panelists, insightful industry experts and content-rich real estate sessions. Because this is a ULI meeting, each discussion will include all sides of all issues.  You will leave better informed, with new leads, tips, ideas and sources.  

To register for the Real Estate Summit, click HERE.

Contact:         
Trisha Riggs, 202-624-7086, priggs@uli.org   
Robert Krueger, 202-624-7051, robert.krueger@uli.org  

About the Urban Land Institute:
The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members.  Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in sustaining and creating thriving communities worldwide.  Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

This blog post was approved by www.iGreenBuild.com, a New Venture Communications web property.

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships Summit

 

                               Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships Hosts Summit in Rhode Island

Celebrating 15 Years of Making Energy Efficiency Matter

 

LEXINGTON, MA – NEEP announced today that that the annual Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit, the premier annual event for showcasing the region's leadership in accelerating energy efficiency, will be held in Warwick, RI June 7-8 at the Crown Plaza Hotel.  Prominent efficiency advocates, Paul Roberti, Commissioner, RI Public Utility Commission, and James Madej, National Grid, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer are the Co-Chairs for this year's summit.  The theme, Efficiency: Making it Matter, will focus on how leading policy, industry, and business leaders shape the face of energy efficiency as a tool to reduce our carbon footprint, stimulate the economy, and decrease energy costs.

 

"2011 marks NEEP's 15th anniversary and we're excited to celebrate the great strides that the Northeast has taken towards recognizing and adopting energy efficiency as an effective solution to the challenge of reliable and clean energy, said Sue Coakley, Executive Director of NEEP. "This year's Summit theme, Efficiency: Making It Matter, will focus on the key issues facing the efficiency movement today and in particular the challenge of winning hearts and minds across the region to make efficiency happen."

 

Program Overview

The Summit includes a day of workshops prior to the conference, which will target specific efficiency technologies including solid state lighting and residential lighting.  Additionally, registered attendees will also be able to attend a tour of nearby Nathan Bishop Middle School, a an existing 4-story Georgian Revival Style building constructed in 1929 designed under the new RIDE regulations, which includes the adoption of the Northeast CHPS High Performance School protocol. .  The all-day regional conference will address challenges and successes achieved in messaging the importance of energy efficiency to consumers and financing for efficiency in the Northeast.

 

The Summit will also include our successful Business Leaders program, a celebration of regional business leaders who have implemented energy efficiency measures and investments in order to gain a competitive economic advantage across a variety of industries.

 

"Energy efficiency is one of the most powerful answers to securing energy security, climate change mitigation, and environmental and economic sustainability," said Commissioner Roberti. "The state of Rhode Island continues to build on our commitment to accelerate energy efficiency in all areas of our work.  Having the NEEP Summit in Rhode Island this year allows us to showcase our successes."

 

"National Grid is committed to integrating energy efficiency into our residential and commercial programs so that our customers can realize significant savings," said Jim Madej. "NEEP contributes to our success in the Northeast and for over a decade we have been proud to partner with such a dedicated organization."

 

About our 2011 Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit Co-Chairs

Jim Madej, Senior Vice President & Chief Customer Officer, National Grid

Jim Madej is the Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at National Grid.  In this role he is responsible for brand, strategy, new products, emerging technologies and sales of gas and energy efficiency programs. Madej leads a team of dedicated staff that provides the linkages between corporate citizenship, economic development and local communities. He currently serves as a board member for the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and as Marketing Co-Chair for the Natural Gas Vehicle Association.  Mr. Madej holds a BA in Business Administration from St. Michaels College.

 

Paul Roberti, Commissioner, Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission

Prior to his appointment to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, Mr. Roberti served for 17 years in the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, most recently as Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Regulatory Unit. In that capacity, he has been involved in hundreds of proceedings involving public utility and energy matters before the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board, the Rhode Island Supreme Court and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

 

Exhibition

To complement the conference, the Summit will feature an exhibition of 40 leading-edge providers of energy efficiency products and services for the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Exhibitors include Conservation Services Group, CREE, Embertec, ThinkEco, Enerpath, Jaco Environmental, OSRAM Sylvania, Lime Energy, and Tendril.

 

Sponsorship

The NEEP Summit regularly draws 400 to 500 attendees from all over the United States, with most coming from the Northeast region, to discuss ways of ramping up efficiency. Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels. All sponsors receive significant visibility in communications and marketing materials, as well as exhibit space, complimentary passes to the Summit, and other benefits. To find out more, visit http://neep.org/neep-summit/sponsorship/opportunities.

 

About NEEP

NEEP is a non-profit organization that transforms the way we use and think about energy.  Through advocacy, collaboration and education we focus on three areas where we believe energy efficiency can have the greatest impact: buildings, high efficiency products & best practices.  Our unique approach helps bring together all stakeholders to accelerate energy efficiency and highlight its impacts on the region, the economy, and the planet.  For more information, visit www.neep.org.

 

Contact: Carrie Nash

Strategic Marketing Manager

W: 781-860-9177 Ext. 125

E: cnash@neep.org

Visit our website: www.neep.org

Follow NEEP on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NEEPenergy

 

This blog post was approved by www.iGreenBuild.com, a New Venture Communications web property.

 

 

BOMA Recognizes Direct Energy Centre

Building management and green building dovetail nicely in many ways and BOMA gets it! This is a strong statement about the commitment BOMA and its members have made to designing and managing buildings intelligently not only for occupant safety and comfort but for sound environmental reasons as well.

Direct Energy Centre wins Building of the Year & Certificate of Building & Management Excellence

2011 BOMA Toronto Awards

 

For Immediate Release…Toronto, ON, May 2, 2011 – The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Toronto has honoured the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place with the 2011 BOMA Certificate of Building & Management Excellence and the 2011 Office Building of the Year (TOBY) Award “Public Assembly Facility”.

 

The BOMA Certificate of Building & Management Excellence is a five year certification and recognizes excellence and quality in property and facility management. A BOMA certified building is managed by a team of professionals who, through participation in the certification program, have met the BOMA standard of excellence in a number of key areas, which impact the safety, security and comfort of its occupants and the community. The Direct Energy Centre also won the BOMA Toronto Building of the Year “Public Assembly Facility” in 2006.

 

The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) Awards salute the stars of the commercial real estate industry, recognizing excellence in property management, operations, resource conservation, environmental awareness, leasing and building design, customer service and innovation.

“Exhibition Place and the Direct Energy Centre are committed to providing a facility for our clients that is focused on excellence in building management, operations, customer service, design and innovation. We are extremely honoured to be recognized by BOMA Toronto for these prestigious awards”, says Councillor Mark Grimes, Chair of the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place.

 

About Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Toronto is a voice of the Toronto’s commercial real estate industry. It has a network of over 700 members in the Greater Toronto Area, which consists of property management professionals, asset managers, development owners, corporate facility managers, leasing professionals, senior managers from all three levels of government, and a variety of companies that provide a product or service to the commercial real estate industry. BOMA Toronto promotes excellence in the industry through information, education advocacy and recognition.

 

 

About Direct Energy Centre and Exhibition Place

Exhibition Place is Canada’s largest entertainment venue, attracting over 5.3 million visitors a year. Direct Energy Centre’s over 1 million square feet of space available is the largest exhibition and convention centre in Canada and the sixth largest in North America.  Designed for maximum efficiency, the venue is supported by a regional population of seven million in a diverse and dynamic economy.  Exhibition Place has won several awards such as the Platinum Waste Minimization Award from the Recycling Council of Canada and the Operations Award from the UFI International Awards.

 

For additional facility information go to: www.directenergycentre.com

This blog post was approved by www.iGreenBuild.com, a New Venture Communications web property.