Think you have a crowded house? Maybe you're not alone. With these economic times and higher housing costs, combining households has become a more prudent approach to managing expenses. If you're planning on making room for parents, siblings or others, a room remodel might be first on your agenda. It is estimated that more than a million homes undergo a remodel or renovation each year. And now's a great time to connect with contractors.

Kitchens are among the most popular rooms for remodeling. They tend to keep their resale value. Kitchen upgrades come closer than any other home improvement project to recouping the remodeling cost when the house is sold.

And today, many people are looking for cost-effective yet environmentally sound remodeling techniques. In their book, "Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room at a Time," authors David Johnston and Kim Master note, "Green remodeling actually makes and saves money. And this is not just long-term energy saving costs; the cost to implement green features ('first costs') is often less than remodeling by conventional standards. In the long term, green renovations increase the resale value of your home."

If you're looking for home improvements that are also good for the environment, consider these green remodeling tips from Pella Windows & Doors:

• Windows - Install Low-E double or triple-pane windows for at least the east and west windows, subjected to intense morning and afternoon sunlight, causing significant summer heat gain.

• Lighting - Purchase compact fluorescent bulbs; they typically use 75 percent less energy.

• Appliances - It makes economic sense to buy energy-efficient appliances. The initial price is often less than the cost of running them over a long period of time. For a greener home, look for the ENERGY STAR® label when selecting appliances.

• Daylighting - Consider adding natural light sources like larger or additional windows and doors to reduce the need for artificial light.

• Flooring - Buy more durable and natural surfaces like tile, stone, cork, harvested wood, exposed stained concrete, or bamboo.

Living in perfect harmony with your relatives may not be your first choice during tough times, but it could be the most cost-effective. Remodeling or updating your home could make the transition much smoother.

Visit your local Pella Window & Door Showroom for ideas or visit www.pellareplacement.com/HRG .