Green Remodeling

This is the second article on remodeling safely, from the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.
While the remodeling of existing older buildings to make them more energy efficient is certainly a necessity, it doesn’t come without its hazards. Remember, older homes and commercial buildings probably contain all sorts of toxins, most notably asbestos. The miracle of the 20th century building industry, touted for its amazing heat- and fire-resistant properties, this hazardous mineral can be found in attics, wrapped around pipes and furnaces, and even in walls, floors, and ceilings, especially in buildings constructed prior to 1980.
Once the asbestos is addressed and then removed by a licensed professional and disposed of properly, green insulation options should be given serious consideration. The Department of Energy says heating and cooling accounts for 50-70 percent of the energy used in the average American home so finding sound and healthy insulation options are a necessity. Today, these options can save natural resources as well. Eco-friendly insulations are often made of recycled materials and include cellulose (old shredded newspapers treated for fire resistance), cotton fiber (usually made of recycled batted denim), and spray polyurethane foam.
Statistics show that the foam, for example, can cut energy costs by about 35 percent annually, according to studies done by manufacturers. The other projects claim similar figures. And because these are recycled materials, less waste is going to the nation’s already crowded landfills.
Formal listing of Insulation Alternatives
• Cotton fiber – This has become the favored insulation of many green builders or remodelers. Made of recycled batted material, such as denim, this fiber insulation is then treated with a chemical to make it fireproof. However, cotton fiber insulation is non-toxic and produces no off-gasses, making it a healthy choice.
• Cellulose – Who would have believed that someday we’d be insulating our homes with recycled newsprint? Well, that’s exactly what cellulose is and it’s become one of the most popular new green insulating materials. Chemically treated to reduce mold and promote heat and fire resistance, figures show that cellulose can reduce air conditioning and heating bills up to about 20 percent each year.
• Icynene – This water-based spray polyurethane foam keeps a home very tight, allowing little opportunity for things like mold to form. This healthy insulation also contains no polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), which are often found in spray foam insulation products. PBDEs can be quite toxic and are already banned in some states. Icynene also contains no hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which are believed to prompt global warming.