Renewal Construction President
According to GreenBuilding.com, it is a "design and construction practice that promotes the health and well-being of your family, the community, and the environment." Energy Star rated windows, dual flush toilets, recycled glass countertops, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, SIPs (structural insulated panels) and cisterns for rain water harvesting are just a few things that homeowners can incorporate into their homes. These are some of the specific elements incorporated in the Discovery Network project announced above for the Oakhurst neighborhood.
David Michelson, president of Renewal Construction, says that participating in environmentally-friendly building practices is easier than you may think. He says that increasingly, many of Renewal's clients in the Decatur area are opting for this approach.
Renewal Construction has several green renovations and additions in progress in the Decatur and metro Atlanta areas and they'll be starting one this winter in the Avondale Estates area.
"Green building can be as simple as replacing your old water heater with a tankless water heater or as extreme as doing an entire home renovation using all of the latest energy efficient building equipment and materials. Let's not forget that people can start now by simply replacing old incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescents. If everyone does a little, the cumulative impact will be great," says David.
He also says that the initial cost of building green literally pays for itself over time. "A typical green project adds 10 to 15% to the construction cost. However, as the price of energy continues to go up, the payback accelerates when people build green homes and they can see dramatic decreases in their monthly utility bills," says David.
Here's some simple math to help it make sense. An additional investment of $10,000 will typically cost the homeowner about $65/month on a standard loan. If the energy savings meets or exceeds $65/month, then it becomes a great return on your investment.
Renewal Construction was named 2005 Earthcraft Renovator of the Year for excellence in building practices that protect the environment and David thinks the number of green-building projects in the Decatur area will only increase. He says, "The future for green building is getting better every year as people become more concerned about how they can decrease their carbon footprints."