These days everyone wants to be green. Not Kermit green, environmentally green. But what does that mean? It means choosing sustainable resources that are durable, reusing quality goods and promoting a healthy environment. Improving a home’s energy efficiency is a popular reason for remodeling.

Here are some changes you can make to improve your home’s energy efficiency:

Install appropriate insulation in area to be remodeled.

Install high-efficiency windows instead of those that minimally meet the energy code.

Seal all exterior penetrations in areas being remodeled.

Purchase only Energy Star®-rated appliances. Install only low-flow water fixtures.

Upgrade to at least an Energy Star®-rated water heater, or better yet, a tankless water heater.

Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford and make sure it is correctly sized for the area you want to condition.

Use programmable thermostats

Greener products to consider:

Non-toxic paints and sealants
Natural flooring
Local building materials
Native plants for landscaping