Ark Contracting

At Ark Contracting we believe that using green remodeling practices is our duty as stewards of the earth. We are always looking for innovative ways to use green remodeling. We constantly strive to reduce our carbon footprint, both during construction, and in the energy saving systems we install in your home. Consideration is given to indoor air quality, energy conservation, resource conservation, reduced material waste, and the use of products that are better for the environment (and for people). Not only can green remodeling benefit our lifestyle, and our environment, it can also result in substantial tax deductions and rebates. Ark Contracting can be your consult in determining your best green remodeling options, and can also be your liaison in securing energy and money saving materials and systems.

Here are some of the ways we incorporate Green Remodeling into your home:

Green remodeling can be done in small ways and doesn't necessarily have to encompass the entire home (though it can).

Non-toxic paints and sealants
Energy Star rated windows and doors
Programmable thermostats
Energy efficient appliances
Natural flooring
Local building material supplies (the closer the delivery, the better)
Natural fiber rugs and fabrics
Recycled material including roof shingles and tiles
Energy efficient lighting
Insulated hot water pipes
Tank less water heaters
Furnace/hot water heater conversion units 97% efficiency
Quality insulation like blown in foam and icyene
Passive solar
Very little waste of materials on our job sites
The use of recycled steel and wood framing materials

Why Go Green?

It's easier on the earth, it lowers costs, and it provides a healthier home in which to live. According to the Sustainable Building Industry Council (SBIC), housing alone consumes 20% of America's energy.
Homeowners who choose to remodel green can lower their energy consumption by 30-50%. It's widely agreed that forests produce 40% of Earth's oxygen, and that building supplies use 25% of its forests.
Remodeling green by incorporating recycled materials or sustainable species will help homeowners to tread more lightly on Earth's natural resources.

Green remodeling is becoming more popular as homeowners consider:

The average home today utilizes systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and most homes are not built as efficiently as they could be, all of which result in high energy consumption.

The U.S. Department of Energy believes if current buildings were green-improved, they would use $20 billion less energy per year.
Green remodeling puts a strong emphasis on making homes as efficient as possible with modifications like energy efficient appliances and thermostats that can be programmed at different temperatures for different times of the day.

Indoor Air Quality

There are many sources that contribute to the air quality inside a home. They include pollutants brought in from the outside, toxic chemicals existing inside the home, and the activities of the occupants that create pollutants.

Major polluting contributors are tobacco smoke, smoke from the burning of wood, coal, kerosene or other such substances, toxic fumes from sealants or chemicals from cleaning products, lead paint, asbestos from insulation, damp carpets or fabrics, and certain pressed-wood furniture products that release chemicals into the air.
Green remodeling seeks to remedy these problems with things like better ventilation systems and using wood, paint, and sealants that are nontoxic.

Reduced Material Waste and Resource Conservation

When remodeling a home, there is often a large amount of construction waste. This amounts to 136 million tons of waste annually, according to the EPA, which in turn makes up 20% of the waste in landfills.
Green Remodeling focuses on reducing this waste during remodeling and reusing materials whenever possible, as 85 to 90% of materials thrown out can be recycled.
Using local materials, building with engineered lumber, and using recycling companies to remove waste are all ways this can be achieved during remodeling.

Environmentally Safe Products

Many products and practices used in the remodel of a home have negative effects on the environment. From chemicals and materials that pollute the air to the disturbing of the surrounding landscape, a myriad of actions taken can cause harm.
With green, care is given to minimizing or eliminating products that could cause harm to the environment or the occupants during remodeling or after.

We can offer you more in green remodeling by designing and installing solar photo cell panel systems. The energy from this source can tie directly into your home grid. The installation costs can often be offset by local, state and federal grants.

Usually the difficulty of this process lies in securing the funding; however Ark Contracting can get you the paperwork to receive substantial discounts in the cost of materials and installation of solar panels.