Greenspiration
October 4, 2008
A green showcase home in Greensboro
Husband and wife, Mark Raines and Trish Holder were inspired back in 2007 to build a showcase green home. They had a vision of a traditional home that was truly green without looking one bit out of place in a suburban neighborhood. They also believed it could be done within a normal middle-class budget. So that’s exactly what they set out to do; and today the house is well on its way. Trish and Mark and their children should be moved in to the home in the Pleasant Oaks subdivision of Greensboro before Christmas.
What makes this house a bit extra special is that they chose to make a showcase of the home so others right here in Greensboro, and elsewhere, could see the potential for affordable green suburban homes.
Buying a Green Home - Navigating the maze of certification options
May 1, 2008
Have you ever thought about buying or building a “green” home? The benefits of owning or living in a high-performance green home are overwhelming. A green home will use less energy and less water than typical homes. So, you’ll have lower bills. How low depends on many factors but in some cases they could be next to nothing. Living in a green home will also be far healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. And, the construction process will create less waste and utilize fewer natural resources than other homes. While many believe green homes are expensive, it need not cost much more than a standard home, though that could depend mainly on the choices you make. Even if the up-front price is a bit higher, the net cost of owning a high-performance home is usually comparable to or lower than that of owning a conventional home built to code specifications.
Solar Water Heating – The “Other” Solar
April 7, 2008
These days, everyone is thinking about ways to reduce their carbon footprint and do their part to conserve our natural resources. Solar is in the news, with bigger and more powerful systems going online every day. Most of the fanfare is centered around large photovoltaic (PV) systems that produce electricity. People are enamored with the idea of generating their own power and reducing their reliance on the power grid. And while PV is a great first choice for some, in most cases, solar water heating is a better way to get started with solar energy.
