I'm a student pursuing a degree in Home and Building Remodeling. I enjoy working with my hands and building things. I'm drawn more toward remodeling because I feel that, in the interest of sustainability, we will have to look toward rehabilitating existing structures in the future. We'll have to stop paving over productive farm land to build stripmalls. We'll have to invest in breathing new life into our delapidated urban centers. The HACC mid-town site is a perfect example of what I mean. Those buildings are living new lives thanks to some up-grades and remodeling.
The issue I plan to research is, "Some home and building remodels and upgrades that will help promote sustainability and energy efficiency." I've already learned quite a bit about this topic through my studies here at HACC. In plumbing, we compared new state-of-the-art methods and fixtures with the older, less efficient ones. Through carpentry and architecture classes I've learned about new building materials and methods that reduce waste and extend the lives of buildings. I've learned about new methods of insulating buildings that cut the cost of heating and cooling, thus reducing the consumption of fossil fuels, promoting sustainability, and saving money.
I hope that researching this topic will give me a clearer understanding of the reality of "green" remodeling. Right now, I only understand theory and possibility. I don't want to be naiive and idealistic when I get out into the market. Are these new methods and materials out of reach for the average home/property owner? How long do these investments take to pay off? How can I sell "green" upgrades?
These are a few questions that come to mind right now. I'm sure I'll have more questions and answers as I delve deeper into this subject.
I'm not sure who might be interested in following this blog and learning along with me. Other home and building remodeling students would hopefully get something out of it. Green technology and Environmental science students may find something interesting or useful in my upcoming research. I'm looking forward to getting started.
Dan, you've picked a great topic to research over the course of our semester, and you clearly have a vested interest in answering the questions you've outlined. Coming in with some prior knowledge will help you in the research process, but your questions also show that you don't have a preconceived answer or bias in your research. This will free you to research and respond honestly in a way that will benefit you and your future customers. As a homeowner, I'm interested to learn what you find in your research.
ReplyDeleteHey Dan. When I read your sentence about energy efficiency, my eyes lit up. I've been involved in a distribution company that sells heating, A/C, and refrigeration systems multiple times a week. I love having sales reps come in from different manufacturing companies and talk about their new and more efficient products. My research topic is gas heat, so I've already been doing a lot of research on energy saving in relation to gas heat. My question to you is: Are you going to look mostly into, as you said, "green" remodeling, or will other energies come into play as well? I would love to hear what you come up with to post next, because I hold a very strong opinion about the "green" movement. The more green, the less jobs there are for us HVAC guys who typically don't get involved with solar or anything like that. It sounds like you'll come up with some great research and I look forward to following what you find. Good luck, man!
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