Feature Articles
Remodeling/Renovations
Ronn Phillips, Arch.D., and Bobbi Hauptmann, Environmental Design, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia
Remodeling/Renovations are economical ways of improving
one's home and thereby improving one's quality of life.
Several important factors should be considered in the
decision to remodel or renovate.
Economic Payback on investment: The following projects yield the highest paybacks for their investments:
| Painting and decor, interior | 73 % |
| Kitchen renovation | 72 % |
| Bathroom renovation | 68 % |
| Exterior painting | 65 % |
| Flooring upgrades | 62 % |
| Windows/Doors replacement | 57 % |
| Main floor laundry room addition | 51 % |
| Fireplace addition | 50 % |
| Basement renovation | 49 % |
| Furnace/heating system replacement | 48 % |
Energy Consumption Reduction: Improving the energy
efficiency of your home reduces the amount of energy you need to
use to keep it warm or cool. An energy efficient home:
- Should be positioned to make the best use of the sun's warmth
- Keeps cool in summer through the shade provided by trees
- Has double glazed, insulated windows
- Uses veranda's and pergola to keep cool
- Uses roof & wall insulation
- Landscapes with trees that lose leaves in winter to allow sunlight to come inside
- Consumes energy from renewable sources whenever possible
Solar Energy: Solar energy comes from the sun. There
are two types of solar energy, light and heat, so there are
two main ways of collecting solar energy.
Some solar collectors use the heat of the sun to heat
water. They are called thermal collectors and an example
would be a solar hot water system - typically found on house
roofs.
Other solar collectors use the light from the sun to make
electricity. These collectors are called Photovoltaic (PV)
cells (Photo = light and voltaic = electricity). When the
sun hits the PV cell, the little particles of light excite
electrons in the cell and cause them to flow. Electricity is
the flow of electrons.
Owner-Built Homes: Houses that are physically
constructed by the house owner offer the greatest amount of
savings, but require the greatest degree of skill, time and
risk. The owner-builder does all of the work, except for
specialized subcontractors/finish tradesmen. Only the person
with significant building experience should consider this
approach to home building. Many lending institutions are not
willing to risk loans to owner builders without a high
dollar investment by the owner or by providing a loan for
less than 50% of the value.
"Sustainable" House Features: Some features of
sustainable buildings typically noticeable to homeowners
include the integration of natural daylight for lighting
purposes, high indoor air quality, and reduced utility
bills. Features that may not be noticeable include use of
finishes and materials low in volatile organic compounds
that improve indoor air quality, increased productivity and
comfort for home occupants, and the use of locally produced
materials to support the local economy.
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Last update: Tuesday, April 01, 2008
