ReNews -- Remodelors Council News - 01/18/2008 (Plain Text Version)

Mike Nagel, CGR, CAPS
NAHB Remodelers Chair
Chicago

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In this issue:
Don't Miss the International Builders' Show!
Get Educated: Remodeling Workshops at IBS
Plan for Success With IBS Pre-Show Education
Hot Trend — Cool Green: Home Performance Remodeling
Free Builders’ Show Lunch Focuses on Concrete
Spokesperson Training at IBS
NAHB Action Preserves Remodeling Statistics
Have You Visited the New Web Site?
Apply to Be on an NAHB Remodelers Committee
Do You Know a Remodeler Who Deserves Recognition?
Deadline Approaching for Spring Board Travel Scholarship
Call for Remodeling Entries: NAHB Green Building Awards
UPS Offers Up to 30% Discount to NAHB Members on Shipping
Introducing the Hertz Green Collection. Reserve and Conserve.
Dell to Give Double Discounts in February
Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Hot Trend — Cool Green: Home Performance Remodeling

More and more home owners today are interested in remodeling green. In fact, a recent survey by NAHB found that 46% of consumers expecting to spend $10,000 or more remodeling their home in the upcoming year are eager to incorporate green products. The problem is that many home owners just don’t know where to start.

As a remodeler, taking a whole-house approach to comfort and energy efficiency improvements through “home performance remodeling” is a great way to capitalize on this important new trend and help home owners start going green.

Home Performance remodelers use diagnostic equipment to assess a home’s energy performance and offer home owners a prioritized list of improvements that work together to improve comfort, lower utility bills, and help protect the environment. Improvements typically include sealing air leaks and ducts, adding insulation, improving heating and cooling systems, upgrading lighting, and switching to energy-efficient appliances, where applicable.

Home performance remodelers report higher profit margins on their jobs and an increase in customer satisfaction. Comfort problems that have plagued homeowners for years (i.e. too cold or too hot rooms, drafts, indoor air quality) can be solved with the diagnostics and improvements offered by home performance remodeling.

In select areas, local sponsors offer Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, a whole-house home improvement program from the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA (see www.energystar.gov/homeperformance for available locations).

Many of these local sponsors offer contractors financing assistance for training and diagnostic equipment, as well as special financial incentives to homeowners for making improvements. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR also provides participating contractors with marketing materials, case studies, and other resources.

For more information, visit the ENERGY STAR booth W3659 ath the 2008 International Builders' Show in Orlando to learn about more opportunities with home performance remodeling, e-mail Patricia Plympton at ENERGY STAR, or call her at 202-481-7397.