Helping you go Green - Calderon Construction Co


	Whether you are considering a whole-house remodel or just replacing a light fixture or two, there's never been a better time to consider " Going Green ". I hope this article can help give you the knowledge and understanding you need as to why it is more important now than ever to make your home improvement an Energy Efficient one. *Green Remodeling will not only save you money in the long run, it will help our planet and cut back on your carbon foot print.* By Making smarter choices about how we build and the products we recommend and use, we can significantly contribute to the health, wealth and well-being of the families for whom we build, our Community and the planet.
You've heard the buzzwords: Green, Sustainable, High Efficiency, Environmentally Friendly, Eco-onscious....... When it comes to Home Building and Renovation, all these words describe the same thing: Making well informed decisions, and seeking the expertise of a proven professional in this industry. Some People think Green Building and they think of straw bale houses and solar panels, however that is not necessarily the case, Green remodels tend to use less energy and water, enjoy Improved Indoor Air Quality, use Sustainable, Recycled or used Materials, and produce less waste in the process. All this can be achieved by Installing a High Efficiency Air Conditioning Unit, A Kitchen Remodel may use energy-efficient Appliances and fluorescent compact lighting, Bathrooms will incorporate water-efficient toilets, faucets and shower heads, Home Exteriors may re-use lumber and bricks from the demolition process, or even a metal roof, which helps with home cooling and offers cleaner rain water runoff, which can be collected in barrels to be used for landscape irrigation. *"It's not easily defined, but people need to know it doesn't always cost more"* We have recently finished a Substantial Kitchen remodel for a client, with a price tag of $85,000, it only cost about $2,500 for the eco-friendly features, upgrades included: a Tank-less water heater, Cork flooring, and paper stone countertops, and a few other features which will account for about 30% in yearly Energy savings. In a 850 square foot addition to expand the living area and add a bedroom and bath to a 1450 square foot home, and a new 420 Square foot two car garage, the added 30% in building costs included several Green features like solar panels, radiant floor heating, south facing windows, recycled aluminum gutters, salvaged lumber, sky lights and even additional electrical outlets for electric cars in the garage, and many other features, while the initial expense was higher, this home will consume 80% less energy for the next 20+ years, in some areas Home owners may even receive credits in their energy bills rather than a bill, not a bad investment Indeed. Despite the interest in Green Building, the number of Contractors capable or interested or skilled in Green Building remains small, and Home owners may find it difficult to make educated decisions on their Home Improvement needs, Making your Home greener doesn't necessarily mean a major remodel, small repairs will get you started on your way to a healthier, energy efficient lifestyle, small cracks around windows and doors let out enough air that it is equivalent to leaving a window open all year, I have inspected homes in which the home owner paid for improvements, however insulation was installed backwards, or poorly installed if installed at all, leaky ducts on air conditioning systems are a tremendous source of high energy usage, yet it is something often overlooked. Little things like installing timers in outdoor lighting, changing your furnace filters regularly, checking and replacing weather stripping in exterior doors as needed, caulking around windows, and installing energy efficient light bulbs can significantly reduce your energy consumption. It takes planning and expertise to design and build an addition that flows well with your home's floor plan, Although any room addition will add value to your home, a project that incorporates the three R's ( Rebuild, Reuse&Recycle ) can lead to energy savings that sometimes more than pay for the improvements in the long run. Energy Efficient remodeling shows an environmental responsibility that will last for decades to come. President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 which provides tax credits for energy minded home Improvements, we will help you find ways to reduce your energy usage and plan for a beautiful room addition or remodel with minimal impact to your energy consumption and our planet. At Calderon Construction we are constantly evolving and finding ways to provide for a healthier, cleaner final product, we believe in doing our part for our clients, our children and our planet, we stand behind our work and strive to maintain our 100% Customer satisfaction ranking.

*Benefits four our clients:*
Lower Utility Bills Greater Comfort Better Indoor Air Quality Energy-Efficient Mortgages Higher resale Prices Legacy to our children (Priceless)
Benefits for the Nation:
Less Reliance on Fossil Fuels Reduced Green House Gas Emissions More Affordable Homes for first time Home Buyers Lower Medical costs thanks to healthier, safer living conditions Job creation in the Energy Efficient Building Industry
Together we can make the World a better place, in the meantime, we will continue to provide Value Beyond Building.... Call any time with any questions or concerns, we would love to hear from you. Irving Calderon Calderon Construction Co.