Building a Brighter, More Efficient Tomorrow with energy saving, cost

saving home improvements

Contact: Melanie Brown 517-373-9280
Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

May 27, 2014 - Whether building new or remodeling your existing home, make it highly energy
efficient, sustainable and green, recommends the Bureau of Construction Codes in the Department
of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs as it recognizes the fourth week of Building Safety Month.

When starting plans for your new house, remodel, or other project, there are many advantages to
going green such as saving on energy and water bills, along with helping out the environment, said
Bureau of Construction Codes Director Irvin J. Poke. Green practices in home building and
remodeling have come a long way. Homes built today are100 percent more energy efficient than
homes built in the 1970s.

Building green doesn't always mean more expensive. When you build green you can often reduce
the overall expenses by using traditional materials in more efficient and environmentally friendly
ways. Green building can offer the homeowner many benefits and cost savings by providing
improved energy and water efficiencies, comfort and quality.

Homeowners today have so many options to make their home energy efficient and add value to one
of lifes biggest investments, Poke said. Changing out HVAC systems, upgrading insulation, adding
natural daylight, switching out shower heads, faucets and toilets to lower flow versions are all green
improvements that can bring significant energy and cost savings. Its a good idea to do an energy
audit to determine how much energy and water the home currently consumes and make
improvements from there.





For new builds or existing homes: Choose energy-efficient, sustainable building materials When it
comes to roofing, to be green you have to be cool. The roof should reflect, not collect the heat; install
lighter-colored shingles. Consider installing solar panels if shingles are exposed to sunlight for
several hours during the day. Use eco-friendly adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings and carpeting
that emit low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC). Incorporate whole-house ventilation and
ceiling fans; install or replace exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens and make sure they vent to
the outside. Have your home tested for radon and lead-based paint. Green plumbing upgrades can
help lower operating costs and that means higher efficiency, less energy and lower utility bills.
Install high efficiency dual flush toilets, bathroom sink faucets and accessories such as faucet
aerators that can reduce the standard flow by more than 30 percent without sacrificing performance;
green shower heads can cut water usage by two thirds. The average home, retrofitted with water-
efficient fixtures, can save 30,000 gallons per year. Replace that old water heater with a new
energy efficient unit.

Heating and cooling uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in the
home. Approximately 43 percent of utility bills are for heating and cooling. Here are a few ways to
save on your energy bills.

Install a new high efficiency heating and cooling system. Tune up your existing heating and air
conditioning (AC) units if youre not ready to replace. Neglect is the number one cause of furnace or
AC wasted energy or breakdown. Regularly change the filters in the heating and cooling system.
Dirty filters can cost up to $5 a month extra, overworks the equipment and result in dirtier indoor air.
Install a programmable thermostat. For every degree you adjust your thermostat you could save up
to three percent on your heating or cooling bill. Adjust your thermostat when you're away from
home. Replace windows to see a savings between 7-24 percent of the household heating and air
conditioning costs. Install more insulation in walls and attics; seal air leaks.

About asbestos --If you are planning to remodel or if your home has damaged drywall and insulation
that is falling apart consider having your home inspected for asbestos by a trained and accredited
asbestos professional who knows what to look for and will take samples for analysis. Do not try
taking samples yourself. There may be increased health risks if fibers are released and incorrect
sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Generally, you can't tell whether a
material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material
as if it contains asbestos and leave it alone. If building materials in your home aren't damaged and
won't be disturbed by a remodel, you do not need to have your home tested for asbestos.

LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes works to ensure that the built environment and the systems
within are sound, safe, and sanitary; the public's health, safety, and welfare is protected; and that,
through a coordinated program of code compliance, investigation and training, there is consistent
application of standards. For more information, go to the Bureau of Construction Codes website
at www.michigan.gov/bcc.

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