During National Home Remodeling Month this May, the National Association of Home Builders’ Remodelers encourage homeowners to go green with their remodeling projects - conserving natural resources and improving indoor air quality all while saving some serious money on utility costs.

“It’s not just feeling good about the environment, but feeling good in your pocket book,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Mike Nagel, CGR, CAPS, a remodeler from Chicago. “Green remodeling offers tangible benefits for consumers, including significant savings on utility bills.”

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save $600 or more per year on utility bills by upgrading appliances, windows and insulation to Energy Star®-rated products. 

Homeowners can also save money on their water bills by retrofitting their homes with water-efficient fixtures - saving up to $175 annually according, to the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program. Examples include aerators for faucets, tankless water heaters and low-flow or dual-flush toilets.

“In some older homes, the costs for these upgrades can be completely offset by the savings on the utility bill,” Nagel continued.

The federal government also offers a $500 tax credit for energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, HVAC and other upgrades. The credit expires at the end of 2007.