Green House Makeover I - Evaluation

As you may or may not have read in a previous post, I have purchased a property in New York with the intention of renovating it as green as possible and then selling it to some lucky greenie. The house itself is a solid early 20th century Dutch Colonial and I plan on adding as many energy efficient and sustainable items as possible to enhance its green value.

Now I need to perform an overall evaluation to determine opportunities for change.

OK, let's talk about the exterior. Quite simply, it's ugly. The house looks like it's missing something big, like a front porch. I think we'll add one. The exterior paint colors are hideous, especially the reddish brown trim. The landscaping is...what landscaping? The driveway is also a disaster and the garage is being held up by a giant overgrown bush. Change all that.

Let's go inside. The house is not big with 7 rooms in all, but it has great bones, a nice flow and original pine floors throughout. The baths and kitchen are gross. The whole place is dirty and pretty much everything you see needs to be refinished.

The mechanicals in the basement consist of a 100amp electric panel, already updated. A working oil burning furnace. Not very green. Hmm.

One green trait already exists. The windows have been updated with Energy Star replacement windows with a low E (emittance) coating! This is the window you want to install in your house for its beneficial energy rating and ability to keep radiant heat out in summer and warm air in during the winter.

On this project, I want to focus on energy and water efficiency, superior interior air quality, and beautiful sustainable features and products throughout that will knock the socks off of everyone who comes in. I am thinking possibly solar, modification of furnace, insulations checks abound, and a few surprises too.

Time to call the suppliers...