RemodelNewJersey.com™©® goals are to empower people, through education and resources, to make informed decisions toward a healthy and sustainable future.

Our website has been created to help with all of your design and home improvement needs and  gives you an overview of the many eco friendly materials and products available today. As well as a full list of the services we offer. We will bring to you a collection of samples  providing you with an opportunity to see, touch and experience a wide range of green  building materials. Many products are available and in stock today.

We work hard to provide our customers with better building choices by showcasing high quality, resource efficient materials that promote a healthier environment both indoors and out.  Our carefully selected collection of products has been chosen adhering to our company’s strict selection criteria, insuring that when you buy building materials from Eco Fine Design .com, you are making a truly "green" decision.

Our team is knowledgeable and experience in green construction and design. We offer our expertise and consulting services to help you choose materials that will enhance your home or business and provide you with a beautiful and lasting finished products.

EcoFineDesign (our partner) believes that with the right knowledge and resources together we can create a healthy and beautiful environment without compromising comfort or design

CraigsRemodel.com,™©® RemodelNYCity.com™©® and  RemodelNewJersey.com™©® supports local schools, non-profits and community groups in addition to its neighborhood building activities.

Energy-Saving Tips

Water Heating

• To save on both water heating and water, install a low-flow showerhead in your bathroom(s). Easily installed with a wrench or pliers, a low-flow showerhead can cut water use as much as 50 percent and still feel great.
• Attach low-flow aerators to kitchen and bathroom faucets. For a family of four, this can save up to 8,500 gallons of water a year. Aerators allow the faucet to flow stronger while actually using much less water.
• Avoid running water continuously while doing dishes, washing up, brushing teeth, or shaving. Try filling up the sink and using a stopper instead.
• Wrap the hot water pipes coming out of your water heater with insulation. Wrap those pipes nearest the heater first for greatest savings.
• Set the thermostat to 120°F or less for normal use, and lower the setting whenever you will be away from home for extended periods. For every 10° you set back your water heater temperature, you cut energy use 3 to 5 percent. (Note: Some dishwashers may require a higher minimum temperature setting. Check your owner's manual.)
• Most newer water heaters are well-insulated. However, if the side of your water heater feels warm near the top, you can cut heat loss by installing a water heater insulation blanket. (First, check your owner's manual to make sure that this step won't void the manufacturer's warranty. If the warranty period has expired, this is not a problem.) Make sure to use the appropriate type blanket for your water heater, whether it's electric, gas, or oil. An insulating blanket will pay for itself in one year or less! Follow the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully.

Appliances

• By looking to ENERGY STAR® for best practices and products, you can reduce your energy use and save up to 30% on your utility bills (that’s $600 annually). Visit www.energystar.gov for more information.
• Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers.

" The typical household spends more than $1,900 a year on energy bills"

Kitchen

• When you can, cook many dishes together when using the oven. If the dishes call for separate temperature settings, just set it in the middle. Adjust cooking times rather than using the oven twice.
• Cook with lids on your pans. For example, cooking spaghetti without a lid on the pot can use three times as much energy.
• Use the smallest pan and burner needed for the job.
• If the oven self-cleans, turn it on just after use, while the oven is still hot.
• Don't peek into the oven as you cook. Every time the door is opened, a lot of heat escapes.
• Contact a qualified heating contractor if your gas burners have a yellow flame instead of blue. Yellow flames may mean the gas is not burning efficiently.
• Seek alternative cooking sources. A pressure cooker cuts cooking time by about two-thirds, and a microwave uses less than half the energy of a conventional electric oven.
• Many dishwashers have energy-saving wash cycles that use less water. Using these cycles can  save $5-15 per year.
• Avoid running small loads in your dishwasher.
• A no-heat air dry feature also can save energy by as much as 15 to 50 percent. If you have an older dishwasher, turn the dishwasher off after the final rinse cycle is complete and open the door. This allows air drying.
• Some dishwashers have heaters to boost water temperature up to 140° or 145°F. However, most dishwashers function well at the 120°F setting. If your dishwasher has a booster heater, turn down your water heater thermostat to 120°F.
• If you wash dishes by hand, fill wash and rinse basins instead of letting the water run. This uses half as much water as a dishwasher does.
• Use cold water when running your garbage disposal. Cold water congeals grease better and keeps the disposal cooler, helping the unit run more efficiently.

Refrigeration

• Set the temperature of your refrigerator compartment at 36° to 38°F and the freezer at 0° to 5°F. For older models, check temperatures with a thermometer.
• Make sure the fan vent is clean and keep the coils at the back of the refrigerator clear of dust. Dirty coils make the compressor work harder and use more electricity.
• Keep the refrigerator door gasket (the plastic strip surrounding the door) airtight and in good condition. If needed, you may be able to repair or reattach it with glue. If not, the manufacturer or a local hardware store can supply you with a new one.
• Keep your freezer tightly packed, adding bags of ice as needed to fill space.
• Defrost whenever more than one-quarter inch of frost accumulates.
• Arrange items in the refrigerator compartment to allow air to circulate freely. Keep liquids capped so they don't add to the humidity and make the compressor work harder.
• Keep the refrigerator door closed as much as you can. Organizing items makes it easier to find what you need quickly.
• On humid days, use the "power saver" switch, if you have one. When this switch is on, small heaters keep the outside of your refrigerator from "sweating." On other days, turn the switch off.
• Defrosting frozen food in the refrigerator helps keep the refrigerator cold.

Energy Star Refrigerators
Choose sleek energy-efficient appliances to cut back on running costs. 

New Homes with ENERGY STAR® Program, sponsored by your local electric and gas utilities and energy efficiency service providers, promotes the construction of homes that are built to achieve ENERGY STAR certification and/or incorporate other above code energy efficiency standards.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes meet strict energy guidelines established by the Environmental Protections Agency and are at least 15% more energy-efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). They also are preferred by many homebuyers because they save money on utilities, are more comfortable and help protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Laundry

• Load washers and dryers to capacity, but don't overload. Overloading can cut down on efficiency.
• Use the water level control on clothes washers. Use less water for smaller loads.
• Use the right water temperature for washers. Washing clothes with cold water usually does not affect cleaning results and may reduce shrinkage.
• Follow detergent instructions carefully. Using too much soap makes the washing machine motor work harder.
• Remember that delicate clothes don't require as long a wash cycle as dirty work clothes.
• If the dryer has an automatic cycle, use it. Over drying wastes energy and wears clothes out faster.
• Clean the dryer’s lint filter after each load to help keep the machine running efficiently.

Air Conditioning

• Check the filter at least once a month during the warm season and clean it as needed.
• Use the fan setting at night when the air outside is cool, or open a window and leave the air conditioner off. Keep windows closed whenever the air conditioner is on.
• Use the air conditioner's timer and set it to turn on no more than 30 minutes before you expect to return home.
• The lower you set your temperature, the more it will cost. For example, a 75° setting will cost about 18 percent more than a 78° setting.
• Plant hollyhocks, clematis, vines, or other shade-producing plants in front of east- and west-facing windows to reduce the need for air conditioning.

Lighting

• For each standard incandescent bulb you replace with a compact fluorescent bulb, you can save $10 or more on your electric costs over the life of the bulb (see chart below). You get more hours of illumination (compact fluorescents have a life expectancy of 10,000 hours, compared to 750 to 900 hours for standard bulbs) and three to four times more lighting efficiency.
• When buying bulbs, look for the highest lumens-per-watt ratio. Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb gives off, while watts measure how much energy a bulb uses. A typical lumens-per-watt ratio for an incandescent bulb is 15:1. This compares to 60:1 for a fluorescent bulb.
• Use brighter bulbs in areas where you do close-up work such as reading, cooking, and home projects. Use less-bright light in other areas.
• Keep light bulbs and fixtures clear of dust and other particles. Clean bulbs give off more light than dirty ones. Use natural light whenever you can. Make the most of natural light by moving desks, reading chairs and work benches closer to windows. Keep in mind that lighter colors for walls, ceilings, and floors reflect more sunlight.
• Replace outdoor floodlights with halogen lamps, or use motion detectors. A 50- or 90-watt halogen lamp can replace a standard reflector bulb that has twice the wattage. Motion detectors save energy and money by turning on lights only when needed. Before installing, be sure to read the package instructions carefully to determine if the wiring in your home can handle a motion sensor.

Guidelines for Replacing Incandescent Bulbs with Fluorescent Bulbs

Insulation

• A healthier, more resource efficient alternative to fiberglass insulation is cotton insulation. UltraTouch cotton insulation is made from high quality natural fibers (mostly trimmings from plants where blue jeans are made). These fibers contain inherent qualities that provide for extremely effective sound absorption and maximum thermal performance... AND IT DOESN’T ITCH!
  
  This cotton insulation contains no chemical irritants and requires no warning labels compared to other traditional products. There are no VOC concerns when using UltraTouch, as it is safe for you and the environment.
  
  UltraTouch cotton insulation is also a Class-A Building Product and meets the highest ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials: www.astm.org ) testing standards for fire and smoke ratings, fungi resistance and corrosiveness.
  
  UltraTouch cotton insulation contains 85% post-industrial recycled natural fibers, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to use a high quality, sustainable building material.
  
  By installing cotton insulation, you are making both your building and the environment a safer place to live, work, and enjoy. Our contractors will thank you too...
  
  UltraTouch cotton insulation is available in R-13, R-19, R-21, and R-30 thermal insulation ratings. The insulation comes in bundles of 8-foot lenghs, and can be ordered in either 16" or 24" widths.
  
  Ultra Touch cotton insulation is available in R-13, R-19, R-21, and R-30 thermal insulation ratings. The insulation comes in bundles of 8-foot batts and can be ordered in either 16" or 24" widths

Other Resources

The U.S. Department of Energy

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

ACI — A nonprofit organization dedicated to making homes energy efficient, comfortable, and affordable.

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships — A regional nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the efficient use of energy in homes, buildings and industry in the Northeast US through various programs, policies, services and practices.

International Energy Program Evaluation Conference — A professional conference for energy program implementers, evaluators of those programs, federal and state agency representatives and academic researchers.

New Buildings Institute — A nonprofit organization that works with national, regional, state and utility groups to promote improved energy performance in commercial new construction.

Find an ENERGY STAR builder by visiting the Environmental Protection Agency's website. The appearance of a builder's name on this list does not indicate any expressed or implied endorsement by the EcoFineDesign.com New Homes with ENERGY STAR program sponsors of the builder's workmanship, licensing, or general business practices.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes can include a variety of 'tried-and-true' energy-efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution:  Please refer to www.EnergyStar.Gov  for detailed information about the below and to take a tour behind the walls of an ENERGY STAR Home.

1. Effective Insulation
Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use, and increased comfort.

2. High-Performance Windows
Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.

3. Tight Construction and Ducts
Sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope" and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance.

4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment won't have to work so hard to heat and cool the home.

5. Efficient Products
ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products — lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines.

6. Third-Party Verification
With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR builder partners choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct onsite testing and inspections to verify the energy efficiency measures, as well as insulation, air tightness, and duct sealing details.

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Please take advantage of Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency  that were signed into law by President Bush on October 3, 2008. The tax credits include home improvements for energy efficient home improvements (windows, doors, roofs, insulation, HVAC, and non-solar water heaters) and for plug-in hybrid cars -- and best of all, the new legislation lifts the cap on solar PV systems and solar water heaters, allowing you to recoup fully 30 percent of the cost of solar additions to your home (the credit was previously capped at $2,000). 

For more information on the credits, visit EnergyStar's Web site,

The bill also extended tax credits for solar energy systems and fuel cells to 2016. New tax credits were established for small wind energy systems and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Tax credits for builders of new energy efficient homes and tax deductions for owners and designers of energy efficient commercial buildings were also extended.