And if you’re going to be trapped indoors for the long dark winter, you might appreciate completing a few home renovations before that season hits.

With more and more families choosing to stay put in their current home vs. trying to sell in a challenging housing market, we’re experiencing an increase in remodeling work.

Warmth-related remodeling ideas:

-Remodel your master or main family bathroom and install in-floor radiant heating. It’s energy efficient and makes for luxuriously warm toes when you step on the tile post-shower.

-Update your kitchen. On chilly winter days, that’s where the family always congregates. Make it work better, feel more inviting and provide traffic flow with updates including taking down walls, installing an island, or simply updating with the latest materials.

Warm and welcoming kitchen as a family gathering spot.

-Take the man cave to the next level. Finish off that basement for maximum Vikings game and poker night potential. Or, for a more well-rounded approach, create a family-friendly lower-level space that combines TV, games, kids areas, and a wine bar for the adults.

-Kids driving you nuts? Transform the master bedroom into a grown-up retreat, complete with a fireplace, if possible!

-Were wet, cold socks the bane of your existence last winter? Envision an entry area where boots aren’t stacked and where you can walk freely, in socks, without fear of stepping in a puddle. We can work with your existing space to create a more efficient and warm entry area that keeps clutter to a minimum.

Here are 7 simple, and affordable, ways to build a more efficient and green home:

1. Site your house to use the sun to your advantage. It all starts with the building plan. Make sure your architect understands passive solar design. Use the landscape to your advantage so that you get the most sun in winter months and the least direct sun during hot summer months. The size and angle of eaves and overhangs directly effect this.  Additionally, building in to a hill can provide insulation from the earth. Proper siting can reduce heating and air conditioning costs.
2. Use a builder that can commit to producing less waste. Some experts estimate that for every five houses built, one ends up in the dumpster via all the excess waste. At Constructive Builders, we utilize recycling wherever possible, save excess materials to use in other phases of the jobs, and require our subcontractors to do the same.
3. Buy local. While recycled biketire flooring may be eco, it’s not that green if it has to come to you via China where old U.S. bike tires were shipped, chopped up and glued back together. Check for local producers for stone, wood (reclaimed wood is great), and many other products. Even buying windows that are manufactured nearby vs. 5,000 miles away can help the planet!
4. Pay attention to your lighting. Some experts estimate that lighting contributes to 20% of a homes energy usage. The best light is natural light. Pick fixtures that are efficient and plan your lighting so that you won’t need dozens of lights on at all times or even at all during the daylight hours. (And of course, buy compact flourescent bulbs!)
5. Insulate and seal. These are relatively low cost ways to make a big difference in your energy efficiency for the very long term. A very inexpensive home energy audit can be performed to pinpoint trouble areas.
6. Invest in Energy Star or other highly rated water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, appliances, evaporative coolers and whole house fans. While sometimes they’re a little more up front, there are energy company rebates and federal tax credits for their implementation.  The pay off is big over the long term and will help with your resale value.
7. Don’t build a house that’s bigger than you need– Quality not quantity. We love smaller, top-quality homes that feature homey built-ins, comfortable spaces for conversation and well-proportioned areas for cooking, sleeping and entertaining. A home that’s built well is better for the environment because it lasts longer. And  a small home that is planned well can be more liveable than a big house with too many wide-open spaces.

For a breakdown of one home where we implemented a few of the tips above, check out our “this house saves some serious green” sheet. Contact us at Constructive Builders about your next custom home.

For consumers, the good news is that you can get a credit of up to $1500 off energy efficient home improvements made during 2009-2010. Check out this link for more details: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

We’re particularly fond of credits for swamp coolers, which work nearly as well as air conditioners in Colorado’s dry climate, are much easier on the environment and allow you to still know that it’s summer (as opposed to putting on sweaters when you come inside on a 90 degree day!).

And, for consumers considering a kitchen remodel this credit might just give the needed incentive to re-do the kitchen and replace those appliances with some efficient Energy Star models.