Thinking Green in the High Country

The Boone and Blowing Rock areas of North Carolina are really starting to come alive in a "green" way. Green features and green home planning, building and retrofitting are becoming more and more commonplace and accessable to the general public. Even though it's ideal if a builder or seller has a home certified from day one in the building process, a home can be GREEN, in various degrees.

If you have plans to build, especially a spec home in this changing market, call in your local HERS Rater from inception. There are many points to consider early on.

Cost Cutting Tip - You can check with your local university, many now have solar energy projects and programs (like Appalachian State's Solar Energy Society which can hook you up with low and no cost advice early on and guide you to the sources you need. http://asuses.appstate.edu/ )

Site selection is huge in the green process. Once the footers are poured, it's a bit late to call in the experts in solar and ratings etc. But don't give up, There is still hope in being green. And contrary to Kermit's mantra, It IS Easy Being Green.

It just takes thought and planning. Much of what we read says it costs a bit more. Most figures claim in the 2 to 5% range in total.

http://www.nrdc.org/buildinggreen/factsheets/cost.asp

http://www.awarenessintoaction.com/whitepapers/UGBC-%20Doug-Gatlin-Leed-value-green-buildings-cost.html

At Green Home.org they say you will end up with "...better buildings with lower maintenance, operations, and insurance costs, and even more consistent rent or mortgage payments.

http://www.greenhome.org/building/pros/why_b.html

Don't let the naysayers stop you from doing what you think is right and from having the responsible home you in which you wish to live.