Green Building and Remodeling

Are you planning to build a new home, or remodel an existing one? Have you considered going green? Building green and being Energy Star qualified can save you money while helping save the environment. It's a win win situation.

You may qualify for special mortgage rates on an Energy Star new home or tax credits for certain upgrades to an existing.

 Call J and J Properties of Hickory Inc, your Certified Green Professionals and Energy Star Parter. 

New Home Construction Tips:

  • Build your home to the Energy Star standards
  • Install Low-E and insulated doors
  • Check with your mortgage lender for special rates for Energy Star homes
  • When looking for a building site, consider the direction of the sun, is there a building or tree that will shade your home
  • Preserve as many trees as possible to help shade your home, but also to provide you with fresher air around your homw
  • Overhangs, covered patios and awnings help reduce solar gain of heat in your home in summer.
  • Have a professional install and heating and cooling unit with a SEER rating of 14.0, and if possible have it located in a shaded area if you live in the south.
  • Request all Energy Star rated appliances.
  • If you're using a conventional water heater be sure it's well insulated, but you might consider checking out the electric or gas on demand water heaters. They don't store a tank of water to keep heated and are quite efficient.

Things you can do to an existing home.

  • Replace appliances with Energy Star rated models
  • Replace old leaky windows with Low-E insulated windows
  • Update your HVAC system with one with a SEER rating of 14.0
  • If you're considering residing your home, consider a high quality insulated vinyl
  • Add insulation in your attic, or have insulation blown into uninsulated walls
  • Condisder having your power company do an energy audit of your home to point out areas where you can make improvements that will reduce your energy use.