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Kansas City Home Improvement Green Options

Kansas City Remodeling — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:38:24 +0000

As we all know energy prices continue to soar so more and more people are trying to find ways to save money. There is also a growing network of people that want to lower the impact they are having on the Earth. There are actually several home improvement projects the Kansas City homeowner can consider that will accomplish both of these goals.

Here are some simple savers…

If the budget is tight and you don’t want to get a loan to help with your Kansas City home improvement projects there are a few things that cost little but have a nice impact on lowering your energy bills. For example, you can install additional attic insulation that can lower your heating and cooling bills up to 20 percent. The same thing could be done in your basement or crawlspace. A glass storm door installed oustside your main entry door is another energy saver. Of course installing some compact fluorescent bulbs is a very quick and simple way to lower your energy bills.

While the energy bill for your heating and electric are the commonly thought of bills, don’t forget about your water bill. You can save up to $32 a year by installing a simple high efficiency showerhead in your showers.

Larger Projects To Save Even More

Replacement windows – This can be a huge energy saver! If you hae old drafty windows they are literally sucking the heat or cold out of your home. New windows have better seals and most have at least two layers of glass, some have 3 layers of glass in a sealed unit.

Tankless water heater – The average household spends about 20 percent of its money used for energy each year on heating water. The beauty of a tankless system is that it heats the water instantly, so you don’t have to heat large amounts of water to just sit in the tank. - Plus you NEVER run out of hot water!

Having an energy efficient home in Kansas City, with a bit of remodeling, can be as expensive or affordable as you choose. Even doing the little things can help you reduce your energ consumption, and reduce the impact you and your family have on the planet.

Kansas City Remodel Featured on HGTV

Kansas City Remodeling — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:09:24 +0000

So today I was reading the Kansas City Star and drinking a nice cup of coffee (made in my french press!) and I had HGTV on the TV in the background. The show was called “Hidden Potential”. The theme of the show is that a couple is looking to purchase a home, and this designer shows them everything that can be remodeled in a home to make it they way the like it.

The couple on this episode wanted to purchase a new home, but they wanted to be able to remodel it to take advantage of some natural heating – like mass walls, etc. The designer on the show actually knew her eco-friendly design pretty well - enough to impress this architect!

At some point during the show it was mentioned that they wanted a house in the Shawnee Mission school district. Those of you from the KC Metro area are no doubt famiiar with this school district out in Johnson County.

So here is my question… Does anyone out there reading this post know this couple? I would love to find out if they purchased and did the remodeling suggested by the design consultant. If I can find them I might even see if they would be interested in doing an interview with me for the blog.

Leave me a comment or contact me with my contact form if you know this couple!

Green vs. Beauty? Beauty Wins!

Kansas City Remodeling — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:17:03 +0000

So is the whole “green movement” in remodeling more about feeling good than reality? Turns out most consumers would choose project that add beauty to their home instead of choosing projects that improve the energy performance of their home.

The Shelton Group just completed thier fifth annual Energy Pulse survey that asked participants how they would spend $10,000 for home improvements, give a limited number of options. The results found that most homeowners prefer projects that beautify over installing products that increase the energy efficiency of the home.

Of the 504 Americans surveyed, 37 percent would refinish the kitchen or bathroom, and another 33 percent would replace carpet or add hardwood floors.

What is even more interesting is that when asked how much their bills would have to increase before they started purchasing efficient products, the average amount was $129 per month.

I find this fascinating! Everyday we are told how everyone is going green, but the reality is that there is still a big gap between what people talk about, and what they are willing to do – also known as the “apathy gap”.

So I’m curious…what would you folks out there in Kansas City do with $10,000? What remodeling projects would you choose? Put your thoughts in a comment below!