If are thinking of doing a kitchen renovation and need some ideas of where you can go green, look no further.  The HGTV green dream home giveaway consisted of a green home in California that features many sustainable materials and products.  Some highlights of the kitchen include quartz countertops, engineered wood flooring, energy star appliances, and glass tile back splash. 

Okay, so the Green Dream Home is not the most sustainable house featuring the most sustainable kitchen but it was b...

An essential part of a sustainable renovation or retrofit is installing quality, energy-efficient windows.  It is no secret that windows are responsible for many leaks in a building envelope and often show up as a deficiency in home energy audits.  There are a few major attributes that an energy-efficient window will have in order to eliminate drafts and help maintain indoor temperatures.

The most recent innovation in efficient window technology is a triple glazed, vinyl or fiberglass fra...

Before beginning any sustainable renovation on your home, be sure to identify which aspects of your home contribute to the most energy deficiencies.  By completing a home energy audit a professional will assess what aspects of your home need to be corrected.  An energy assessment report can tell any homeowner where they should invest their money in a sustainable renovation in order to see the most economic return in energy bill savings.

Some may sugg...

Federal and local incentives to renovate a home have been few and far between, until now!  On March 6, 2010 the House of Representatives passed the bill for the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act.  This bill offers tax credits to homeowner’s willing to invest in energy efficient upgrades in their home.  Consider upgrading insulation or replacing windows in your next renovation and receive rebates from the government.  However, be wise in your decision to jump on this opportunity as even with the...