Dear %PERS_38%,

Mortgage rates remain volatile. If you think that you might be a candidate to refinance please call to begin the process. To your advantage, if rates drop to a level where the refinance makes sense, we will be in a position to lock the rate and proceed.

The Meister Mortgage Team
(520) 624- LOAN (5626)

Making Your Home Green in Tucson
brought to you by Christina Haynes Design and The Desert Homeowner

There are many ways of quantifying green in today’s society. In fashion green is considered the ‘new black’, but in home design the term is used to describe many different applications. Today we look at what the leading definition of green is and how you can apply green design to your home.

The highest standard of greening in home design is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. This process is focused new construction but is the architectural standard for green homes. If you’re building from the ground up, this process helps you to understand all that you can do to build a green home.

Now you may ask, what can I do with my existing desert home to make it green? The answer, there are a lot of things you can do! The range of cost, as well as the amount of efficiency that will result in the improvement, are all things to consider. Below is a list that will give you an idea of the numerous upgrades available for your home.

Increased Insulation: The first and best thing you can do is to better insulate your home. Installing high R-value windows and doors can do this. It is also important to look at the construction of your home. See if there are large spaces of air that can be filled within the structure, as well as any areas where air can be escaping or let into the home. Insulation is paramount in greening a home.

Install energy efficient systems: energy star-certified appliances, heating and air conditioning systems, furnaces, and watering systems will all help to lower your operating costs.

A new washer and dryer will save you $110 a year in water and electricity and will pay for it-self in 5 years.

Furnaces with AFUE (annual fuel-utilization efficiency) of 60 – 90 will cost about $3,500 but will cut your heating bills by a third.

Central air conditioners now require a SEER rating (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of 13, but can range as high as 23. Models manufactured before 2005 have a rating somewhere between 6-10. Every SEER point represents about a 6 percent savings; move from a 10 to a 15 and you’ll cut cooling bills by about 30 percent.

Green Can Be Beautiful....a "Green" Kitchen - Design by: CHRISTINA HAYNES DESIGN

Efficient Irrigation: install irrigation lines to exterior plants and put the watering system on a timer. This way your plants stay alive, you can water them at optimal times of day, and you conserve water. You can even go so far as to zero-scape; plant all desert vegetation that requires minimal watering.

Go Solar: Although this is most costly improvement you can do to your home, it will pay off exponentially. Not only will you be able to supply your own energy for your home, but you can contribute energy to the power grid of the city. A solar system will pay back within 10 years usually. So think of it as an investment utilizing one of the great natural resources we have in Arizona, the sun!

Increase your outdoor space: Increased ratio of outdoor space around your home limits the need for new construction. In this beautiful climate where most of the year can be spent outside, consider how to cheaply and effectively use outdoor space.

There are also many easy, low cost green solutions for your home:

• Install ceiling fans and increase air circulation
• Insulate your hot and cold water pipes and water heater
• Schedule an annual HVAC tune-up
• Automate your lighting
• Install a programmable thermostat and automate it to your needs
• Install low flow toilets and showerheads
• Lower the temperature on your water heater thermostat
• Plant trees to increase shading on the south and west sides of your home
• Insulate your basement and attic HVAC ducts
• Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Turn of the autopilot of your furnace during the summer months

Green Materials: Another aspect of greening consists of the materials you install into your home. There are two main areas that you want to consider for this. The first is off gassing. There are chemicals and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in almost everything you install in your home from paint to flooring. Almost all of these have an alternative, organic option, with lower VOC levels, and are becoming more cost competitive with conventional materials. The second thing to consider, what are the materials you are installing made from? Are they made from recycled or reused materials? Do they come from a renewable source? Are they free trade? For those of us that have these concerns, there are increasing options available in materials and even furniture for your home that are green.

Other tips:
Donate any materials from your home that are reusable to habitat for humanity, or good will. Although your styles may have changed, someone out there could still use your old materials and fixtures.

Buy second hand: why buy new furniture when there is a huge selection of antiques and used furniture available. There are many books published on how to create beautiful interiors utilizing rescued materials.

Recycle. In your home or your office, make the effort to recycle as much as possible. Refer to local waste management / recycling websites for a current list of recyclable materials.

When considering going green there are numerous possibilities of what you can do. So consider your lifestyle, your budget and what you can do to contribute to a sustainable future.

_________________________________________________

Christina Haynes - Owner, CHRISTINA HAYNES DESIGN

CHRISTINA HAYNES DESIGN is committed to the future of sustainable and green buildings. Green homes are energy efficient and have lower operating cost. Designs meet modern standards of conservation. Please visit www.christinahaynesdesign.com and click on Christina Haynes design green home to see an example of a vastly improved dessert home.

For a free consultation on greening or any other design ideas you would like to address contact CHRISTINA HAYNES DESIGN.

ch@christinahaynesdesign.com 520.908.6308