Green Home Improvements

Larry Summer has seen demand for energy-efficient windows jump 400 percent in the past 12 years.

As co-owner of K&H Windows and Exteriors in Arvada, Colorado, he works with homeowners every day looking to cut their energy bills without reducing comfort.

"With the high rising energy costs, saving energy is on everybody's mind," he said.

Throughout the home remodeling and landscaping industries, businesses are focusing on saving energy and water as they work to upgrade area homes.

Kimberly Neal, co-owner of Elkhorn Heating and Air Conditioning in Lakewood, said more clients every year are looking for energy savings in their HVAC systems.

Nationally, homeowners in 2005 saved $12 billion on their electric bills by switching to energy efficient products, according to Energy Star, a federal government program that rates and promotes energy-efficient products. The savings in greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to equal the emissions of 23 million cars.

Summer said windows are often the best place to start when considering energy savings.

"One of the least efficient areas of any home is the windows," he said. "You have insulation in walls, but in most windows there isn't anything."

He said homeowners can save 25 to 40 percent on their energy bills year-round by replacing windows with energy-efficient double- and triple-pane windows and vinyl frames.

To be sure, energy-efficient windows are significantly more expensive. Some estimate it can take up to 20 years to recover the cost of replacing windows. However, Summer said the added comfort is worth the additional cost.

Another way to save on energy bills is adding insulation. Though most homeowners install vinyl siding for its low maintenance, it has an added benefit when insulation is placed behind the new siding.

"A quality siding product with good insulation can make a significant difference," said Mark Woodward, owner of Advance Exteriors in Golden.

Woodward's business focuses on siding and energy-efficient windows. He said installs more double- and triple-pane windows each year - mainly for the energy savings.

"That's 99 percent of the reason people do these types of projects," Woodward said.

Neal, of Elkhorn Heating and Air Conditioning, said the next step for homeowners after insulating walls and windows is to upgrade the HVAC systems and water heaters.

She said until about five years ago, homeowners typically waited until their furnaces and air conditioners were broken before shopping for a replacement. Now people realize they can start saving money by replacing an aging but working system.

"More people are fixing furnaces before they completely die," Neal said. "There are a lot of furnaces out there in the 40 to 60 percent efficient range."

Among other innovative energy-efficient products, Elkhorn sells dual-fuel heating units that use electricity for heating down to about 35 degrees. Gas kicks in at lower temperatures, but with mild temperatures most of the time in Colorado, she said the efficient electric system is adequate most of the time.

Her firm also sells Rinnai tankless water heaters that save gas by only heating water when needed instead of continually heating a tank of water.

Finally she recommends creating custom heating and cooling zones in the home. These systems save energy by heating only portions of the house that are in use.

Elkhorn will have working displays of a zoning system at the Colorado Home and Garden Show.

Homeowners can also take their conservation ethic outside. Homeowners can make outdoor changes to save water. Dan Lee, owner of Black Forest Landscape Design Studio in Arvada, specializes in remodeling yards to reduce water usage.

He suggests hardy shrubs, Xeriscaping and other ideas for replacing thirsty sod. Particularly on sloped areas that face a lot of runoff and harsh sunlight.

"We can save thousands of gallons on south-facing hills by terracing, putting in a nice rock wall and some plants," he said.

Jason Lee of New Creation Hardscapes in Arvada, said homeowners can certainly save water by replacing water-intensive lawns with concrete or stone patios.

"If some are concerned that would definitely be an option," he said.

Doug Ratcliffe of Colorado Water Features in Arvada said the waterfalls and other moving-water landscapes he installs are not generally considered conservation measures. However, he said industry analysis shows water usage is typically reduced when water features are installed.

"Even though there is a high evaporation rate in Colorado, what the industry says is that it still uses less water than if the same area is grass," Ratcliffe said.

Throughout the home remodeling industry, energy and water savings are on the rise. Woodward, of Advance Exteriors, said he doesn't expect the trend to reverse anytime soon.

"Anything we can do to save on energy costs is big and is only going to get bigger," he said. "Gone are the days of cheap energy and they aren't coming back."

- The Consumer Federation of America has 10 ways to cut home energy costs at www.buyenergyefficient.org.

- Perform a free online energy audit on your home at http://hes.lbl.gov/

- Find lists of energy-saving tips on the federal Department of Energy Web site at www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/

- The National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden has information about renewable energy options for homeowners, as well as local workshops and other events, at www.nrel.gov

- Xcel Energy has information about saving energy for both homeowners and businesses at www.xcelenergy.com

- Energy Star, a federal program that rates and promotes energy-efficient products, has an extensive Web site, www.energystar.gov.

This story was originally published in the Golden Transcript.