New Orleans/March 14, 2008/ – The American Society of Interior Designers Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council today launched the nation's first green residential remodeling guidelines at a press conference during INTERIORS 08: The ASID Conference on Design, held in New Orleans.
Organized into the 10 most common remodeling projects, the REGREEN Guidelines are designed to provide professionals and homeowners with resources and tools to green their home remodeling projects. The guidelines can be applied to a variety of projects, from remodeling a kitchen to executing a full-scale renovation.
"Green homes are fundamental to leading healthier, more sustainable lives," said Victoria Schomer, ASID, LEED AP, interior designer and principal of Green Built Environments. Schomer was on the team to develop and write the REGREEN program. "In America , we spend a startling 90 percent of our time indoors. Home interiors have a profound effect on ourselves and our families, and the interior design professional has a central role in making them healthier and green."
"Consumers overwhelmingly want greener homes, and the REGREEN Guidelines will help by showing them how," said Michelle Moore, senior vice president, U.S. Green Building Council. "Surveys show that not having enough good information from trusted sources has been a huge obstacle. The REGREEN Guidelines empower people with practical information about how to green projects ranging from kitchen and bath renovations to deep energy upgrades."
The market for residential remodeling is massive, topping $200 billion per year, and is projected to nearly double within five years due to aging housing stock. The median age of U.S. housing stock has topped 30 years, and homeowners are increasingly considering family health and well-being, skyrocketing energy costs and the environment when planning home improvements.
"You can start greening your home without spending a lot of money just by getting informed," continued Moore. "Weatherization projects can save energy and lower your utility bills, which also reduce your carbon footprint. Similarly, choosing low-VOC paints, flooring and adhesives eliminates bad-smelling toxins and creates a healthier home."
The REGREEN Guidelines are accompanied by case studies and address the major elements of any green renovation project, including the site of the home, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.
Additional electronic resources will be available online starting in early summer with a comprehensive educational lineup for the interior design, contractor and consumer to follow.
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