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.

Green Homes In Boone - Part 1

Boone has a wonderful NAHB Green Building Committee. I'm so thrilled to see people in this area coming together to make something happen. I'm just trying to keep up with everything that they're doing. Now, more than ever, it's relevant to the real estate industry. They have a great website with a blog, local resources, and upcoming events. A fun event to check out if you're in the area is Green Drinks at Boone Saloon every first and third Thursdays at 5:30. It's an informal laid back gathering for anyone interested in networking and brainstorming.

Often times before Green Drinks, the group will hold walk through's of homes that are built in the area with "green" elements. I finished my EcoBroker designation recently and am currently facing the "now what? stage" of my green journey. Seeing the actual elements that were discussed in class put into practice really helped solidify some otherwise abstract concepts.

The beautiful home located just outside of Boone features in floor radiant heating throughout. When the home is finished, the heat will be tied into solar hot water collectors. One thing that I think is really unique is that both the floor and trim were salvaged from trees that were cleared off of the lot. Some of the furniture, if it wasn't already second hand, was also made from reclaimed wood. Other aspects were dual flush toilets, energy star appliances, rain gardens and no V.O.C paint. These are just a few highlights. Next time I'm at a walk through I'll be sure to take better notes so that I can elaborate.

The project is working on getting classified as a NC Healthy Built Home. If you're not familiar with that certification it is a unique program. The way it works is that there is an extensive checklist made up of all different building practices and you can pick and choose which ones you want to use. The final product is scored by a point system. There are 4 different levels of certification: certified, bronze, silver and gold. (I hope I've explained that right. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

" A Healthy Built Home is a comfortable, healthy and affordable home that reduces energy and water usage and protects the environment. Building materials and processes are selected to reduce pollution and the waste of natural resources both during the manufacturing and construction phases and throughout the life of the home." -NC Healthy Built Homes Website

Sun Room

Master Bath

A Green Welcome

This blog is the beginning of what I hope will be an ECO-education for me, and also those who are looking to build, remodel, or find existing ECO-friendly homes in the Blue Ridge High Country of western North Carolina. The High Country, in the NW corner of the state, boasts the highest average elevations in the eastern US. From the lively college town of Boone at its heart, home of Appalachian State University, to the quaint villages of Blowing Rock, Valle Crucis, and Banner Elk, the High Country offers a backdrop of gorgeous mountains, diverse forests, clean waters, and rugged farmland. There now are several local area organizations working hard to protect the future of this fast-growing area by offering "win-win" conservation options to both local landowners and developers. No longer is clear-cutting and other irresponsible development practices acceptable. For local residents, and those looking to move here, there are now now viable and economical options for all of us who have a keen interest in conscientious growth and ways that each of us can reduce our energy consumption.

The now-popular "green movement," with regards to home building and new development, has been relatively slow to gain momentum here, in comparison to the Asheville area to our South. I say relatively because there are people in the area: Builders, Architects, Designers and other businesses striving to offer ECO-friendly, energy-saving products and services that are economically feasible. The problem I've found, is that even though these resources exist, to most of us it is still under the radar. The real movement won't start until people learn what their options are and actively seek out those offering environmentally friendly solutions. It is neither realistic or necessary to think that the general public will full-heartedly embrace the ECO movement by trading their dream homes and SUVs for solar-powered adobe huts and hybrid cars. But the point is, extreme measures aren't necessary. All of us, doing even the smallest things, can make a difference. Most people have the general innate desire to make environmentally sound choices when it avoids sacrifice, is easy on the wallet and promotes health. Reducing our personal energy consumption, at home and on the road, just makes sense. The opportunity for change is just as great in fixing up an old house as it is building a new one.

My goal here is to try and have a local forum where people come for information and discussion. I am in the process of putting together a database of ECO-friendly businesses and organizations that are already out there providing services and resources in the High Country. Whether you are planning to build/remodel, or just want to read about various conservation efforts and ways to get involved, I hope you find it here. If you have something you'd like to add, just email me and I'll try and post it. Thanks for visiting and thinking GREEN!