Improve Your Property Value and Health with a Green Remodel

A green home remodel is approached with the mindset of improving your home’s appearance and function with both you and the environment in consideration. Do you want a healthier home? Lower utility bills? To reduce maintenance? A cleaner planet?  With so many elements to consider, how do you know what is right for you? With careful planning, and a trusting partnership with a designer or contractor, you can create a home that combines beauty, efficiency, comfort and convenience with wellbeing and preservation.

A well designed remodel maximizes the use of natural lighting, keeping in mind window placement and seasonal shading.  Incorporating natural or high quality lighting, design details and natural elements will provide an attractive, comfortable home.

Heating and cooling your home accounts for 50 to 70% of the energy used. Upgrading your homes insulation will immediately lower your utility bills. Once the energy savings have paid for the upgraded insulation, energy conserved is money saved. This will only increase in time as utility rates rise. Energy-efficient windows are an additional barrier to the outside elements.  

Window replacement is one of the best home remodel projects in terms of investment return. Remodel Magazine reported in their annual Cost vs. Value issue, vinyl windows recoup 75% of project cost in added home value. If your window selections qualify for the Federal Tax Credit you can earn up to $1500 credit. Combine these factors with utility savings, energy-efficient windows prove to be a good investment.

Your home may be your sanctuary but it could also be harmful to your health. Dirty air, mold spores and chemicals can contribute to an unhealthy home environment. The EPA lists poor indoor air quality in their top five most urgent public health risks. Using low-toxic materials such as low-VOC paint and improved ventilation techniques can help prevent mold, allergens and low air quality, which surprisingly can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels.

Recent statistics show 96% of home buyers are looking for homes with green features. Unfortunately 80% of homebuyer’s state new homes don’t meet their environmental expectations. Remodeling your home with the environment and efficiency in mind will give you a step ahead of the competition. CNN reported in certain markets homes with green certification sell for 8.5% more per square foot then comparable non-green homes. These homes sell 22% quicker as well.

Rick Balda is the owner of Balda Development & Construction and is located in Indian Harbour Beach. They are the leading expert in Brevard County for custom designed and built sustainable green homes and commercial buildings. The company employees a U.S. Green Building Coalition LEED Accredited Professional as well as a Registered Certifying Agent for the Florida Green Building Coalition.

Please call 321-777-4026 for help with your remodel or new build.