At Khan Construction, we are increasingly seeing customers who have questions about just what it means to be green. What can I do to “green” my home? What products should I buy? How can I make better choices? Khan Construction can provide guidance, services, and products to help you be green.

There is no doubt that our industrialized society has had a profound impact on the environment. Carcinogens compromise our food and water supplies. Pollution contributes to an alarming increase in the incidence of asthma and other respiratory ailments. Most climate experts agree that global warming is a reality that may have profound implications for everything from agriculture to the ocean ecosystem. The availability of inexpensive energy sources is limited. By living green, we can reduce our impact the environment, mitigate negative changes in our planet’s climate, and be a self-sufficient society. But how do we live green? Khan Construction is taking a leadership role by providing green building projects and home performance audits with remodeling services to remedy any identified issues. These products and services enable our clients to be green by:

• Choosing sustainable materials for home remodeling projects done by Khan Construction Company.
• Educating our clients about the cost of green products—today’s products can cost the same or less than older technologies.
• Conducting Home Performance Assessments under the federal Energy Star Program to identify where your home is losing energy and how to stop it.
• Providing tips on simple things you can do to green your home (see HOME TIPS below)

Green Home: It’s a bit south (Santa Monica), but the house is still worth noting for two reasons: 1. it’s the first home in the country to be “given ‘platinum’ status in the U.S. Green Building Council's influential LEED rating system (for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design),” and 2. it’s the prototype for LivingHomes, a builder of prefabricated homes. (In fact, the “bulk of the house was built at a factory in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., and assembled in one day.”) According to LivingHomes founder, "We're targeting consumers who buy organic food, do yoga, and shop at Design Within Reach." We’re guessing there just might be some of those folks around here. And despite what some might think, we’re guessing they’ll actually pay a premium to live in a well designed (and located) green house.

HOME TIPS FOR THE GREEN SEASON

• TIP 1- Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. CFL’s are a big energy saver. Changing five of the most frequently used light bulbs in your home/workplace can save $100 per year on electric bills.
• TIP 2- Program your thermostat to reduce output when you are not at home or are asleep. When you are home, set the A/C at 75° or higher. Set the thermostat at 65° or lower in winter.
• TIP 3- Plug air leaks around windows, doors, A/C, and other wall penetrations. Plugging those leaks with weather stripping or caulking is a relatively simple task.
• TIP 4- Be sure to clean A/C filters. Tune up heating systems regularly.
• TIP 5- Choose ENERGY STAR appliances. Your energy bill could be reduced $50 or more per appliance.
• TIP 6- Reduce water usage and groundwater pollution by incorporating native plants in your landscaping. Native plants have been evolving for eons and have adapted to local soils and climate. They will thrive with minimal care and will need less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
• Tip 7- Replace bathroom and kitchen faucet and replace shower head for lesser water per minute (check your local code for accurate value) to save water.
• Tip 8- Set your lawn sprinklers for not more than one minute time duration for 70 psi water pressure so you can save water.
• TIP 9- Buy locally produced products. This reduces the amount of fossil fuel needed to transport the product to market. It also reduces the amount of plastic, and paper packaging. Buying local reduces consumption of valuable natural resources. It also supports the local economy.
• TIP 10- Use low VOC (volatile organic compounds) products to reduce interior air pollution, including low VOC paints and cleaning products. You can make your own low VOC cleaning products from normal household materials like baking soda, vinegar and borax. VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects
• TIP 11- Choose wood products from sustainable managed forests, such as certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FCS).
• TIP 12- Make different transportation choices – carpool, walk, bicycle, train, bus, and fuel-efficient car.
• Tip 13- Replace windows and install new dual glazed, vinyl energy efficient windows with U factor Low E: 0.30 and SHGC 0.30. You could qualify for federal tax credit of $1500 and you will have lesser electrical bill