| Many homeowners are trying to go green with their | | | | traditional electric or gas models. You can expect to |
| home improvements. Once they have done the fast | | | | recover the cost in water heating savings over just a |
| and simple upgrades and the improvements that can | | | | few years. |
| make a big difference without breaking the bank, they | | | | - Installing a geothermal heating and cooling system. |
| are ready to start thinking about extreme green home | | | | Geothermal heating and cooling systems are very |
| improvements. | | | | expensive to install and require a certain amount of |
| Extreme green home improvements are costly and | | | | ground space for installation. They can, however, be |
| our research shows that these home improvements | | | | placed either horizontally or vertically in the ground. |
| only appeal to a specific group of buyers. So before | | | | Because they use the constant temperature of the |
| assuming that making costly and extreme green | | | | earth, they result in significantly lower energy bills. |
| improvements, you should do your research on the | | | | - Switch all appliances to the highest-rated energy |
| return on investment for these upgrades in your region. | | | | efficiency models. The technology to build more |
| This research can take some of the risk out of the | | | | energy-efficient appliances seems to improve almost |
| investment. But it is still a gamble. | | | | every year. Replacing older appliances can result in |
| Some of the extreme green improvements that you | | | | less energy use and lower operating costs. |
| might consider are: | | | | - Install a high-efficiency metal roof. New metal roofing |
| - Installing photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. | | | | materials are well-insulated and extremely durable. |
| Everyone has heard about the merits of using solar | | | | Although the metal roof might cost a little bit more at |
| power to generate electricity. The initial cost of installing | | | | installation, it will last far longer than shingles or shakes, |
| the cells and the equipment to convert the power to | | | | and it will provide better insulation for your home. |
| electricity for use in the home can be significant. That | | | | Each of these extreme green home improvements will |
| cost will, however, be recovered over time. | | | | be costly. On the other hand, all of these |
| - Installing all new windows with triple glazing and UV | | | | improvements will result in significant savings on utility |
| reflective coatings. The best windows available at this | | | | bills. Although they might not pay for themselves in a |
| time for their insulating value are triple-glazed windows | | | | year or two, you should be able to expect to recover |
| with gas between the panes and the highest level UV | | | | the cost in lower utility bills over time. |
| reflective coatings. Installed throughout a home, this can | | | | While extreme green home remodeling might not be |
| be a costly upgrade. But their value will be immediately | | | | right for every homeowner, it might be right for you. |
| clear in comfort within the home and utility cost savings | | | | These upgrades probably will not increase the value of |
| over time. | | | | your home significantly in terms of resale, but they will |
| - Switching to a solar water heating system. The cost | | | | certainly make the home more comfortable for your |
| of a solar water heating system will be higher than | | | | family and more energy efficient. |