Green remodeling can save you money on utilities, increase the resale value, and provide a healthy, environmentally conscious home. The following quotes are from an article in the September 2008 issue of California Real Estate. Mike Hall, president and CEO of Berkeley-based solar company Borrego Solar was quoted as saying,
“For every 1,000 watts of power in a home that’s coming from PV (photovoltaic panels), it can add $20,000 to the resale value of your home.”
Chris Bartle of Green Key Real Estate was quoted,
“If you’re comparing [green building] to a super-cheap Home Depot remodel, then yeah, it’s more expensive,” he explains. But if you’re comparing it to a high-end remodel with granite counter tops and things like that, then a lot of times it’s actually cheaper.”
The opening of “Green” building supply companies is evidence of the increasing popularity of Green remodeling. Davis has it’s own eco-friendly home improvement store called Casa Verde. There are also recycling options for building materials. Sacramento’s Habitat for Humanity has a building supply store called the ReStore offering surplus building supplies donated to the store and sold at discount prices. Another web-site resource is www.thereusepeople.org. They are a non-profit organization that provides environmentally responsible demolition services and sells reusable building materials.
If you would like more information on green building and learn about the “GreenPointed Rated” system, check out www.builditgreen.org
