The wooded character of Deer Mountain and its many south facing lots encourages building green, energy efficient and passive solar homes that are in harmony with nature and the Chatham County countryside. To spur your thinking on ways to build green, energy efficient homes, we offer the following green tips. If you would like to contribute to this discussion, just send your comments to .
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
Building Materials for Green Homes
4. Saving Water and Energy
• Reducing Heating and Cooling Loads: Choosing the right kind of insulation can reduce the heating and cooling needs of the home.
• Energy Conservation Equipment: Energy Star products can help reduce the energy load by 10-20%. These are preferable products when building a green home.
• Renewable Energy Equipment: Products that can use renewable energy instead of conventional energy is environmentally beneficial.
• Water Conservation Equipment: Water equipment that exceeds national energy standards by 20% is a preferable choice when building a green home.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Green Renovations
Painting can change the look of an area, but be sure that you choose a paint which contains little or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Buy green materials when replacing inside the house. Kitchen cabinets and floors are both available with recycled materials. Reuse what you demolish, either in the existing project or through donation to another project. 2 By considering all the options available to you, the renovation of your existing home into a green home can go smoothly. Do your research and think about what you hope to achieve with this project. By doing so, you can guarantee a success. 2
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Green Renovations
Looking closer at what you can change and improve, make a list. Adding natural light is any easy way to increase energy efficiency and make a house more green-friendly. Note where the dark areas are in the existing structure and then note possible ways to open it up to natural lighting. Also, utilize the sun’s energy through solar panels and replace windows with energy efficient brands. And take another look at your ventilation system and how it could be improved with fans.2
[Deer Mountain Tips for green community land for sale and lots for sale in Chapel Hill NC and green communities in Chatham County NC. Bring your own Builder for Land and lots for sale in Chatham County NC]
1 Galadza, Sofia. “Green: Responsible Renovation.” http://www.contractmagazine.com/contract/magazine/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002986674 Contract Magazine. 2006.
2 Kaufmann, Michelle. “Green Renovations.” http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15174233/site/newsweek/ Newsweek. 2006.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Green Renovations
When considering the renovation of a current home in order to make it a green home, it’s not a simple matter of updating some of the components. You must first look at the infrastructure of the house and make changes in that. The home should be looked at to extend its life and overall efficiency, since those are top goals of the project. Operating costs should be cut down through energy efficiency, both through appliances and construction. When remodeling, reduce the amount of waste you produce by reusing as much as possible. Also, work around what you can’t change. You can work with existing structures in most cases, rather than demolishing the entire house.1
[Deer Mountain Tips for building Green Homes and selecting Green Builders in Chapel Hill NC and green communities in Chatham County NC. Bring your own Builder for Land and lots for sale in Chatham County NC]
1 Galadza, Sofia. “Green: Responsible Renovation.” http://www.contractmagazine.com/contract/magazine/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002986674 Contract Magazine. 2006.
2 Kaufmann, Michelle. “Green Renovations.” http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15174233/site/newsweek/ Newsweek. 2006.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Water Conservation is the Green Way to Save Money and Save the Environment
Indoors, the installation of low flow plumbing can also reduce the amount of water used in the household. Old fixtures did not compensate for pressure change and the amount of water increased when the water pressure did. That meant a use of about 3.5 gallons of water for a standard toilet. New fixtures compensate for variable pressures and provide an even flow no matter what. This reduced the water usage to only 1.6 gallons. Showerheads use the same technology to provide a steady water flow no matter the pressure. Old showerheads used 4-5 gallons per minute, whereas new showerheads only use about 2.5 gallons.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Water Conservation is the Green Way to Save Money and Save the Environment
Another consideration for outdoor water conservation is water harvesting and reuse. You can collect and use the rainwater for irrigation, but you need to set up a system to do so. The roof becomes the catchment area, which conveys the water through a gutter system towards a holding vessel. This water is then put through purifiers with pumps and can be used to irrigate your area. Grey water, which is the waste water from dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, and baths can also be treated for reuse. By diverting this water through a system of purification, it will cut down on overall water consumption needed for the home.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Water Conservation is the Green Way to Save Money and Save the Environment
Water conservation should be considered when building and maintaining a green home. Both indoor and outdoor conservation can help cut costs of your home. Take a look at some ways you can achieve this. Having a porous pavement can allow water to seep through, thereby allowing the soil beneath to filter rainwater as it becomes groundwater. This step is often skipped when the water goes directly through drainage. When considering how to build your pavement system, you should think about the different materials available. Porous asphalt, bituminous permeable paving, porous concrete, plastic grids, and block pavers are all examples of materials to be considered.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Green Energy Efficient Landscaping; Landscaping for Sustainable Living
Like all landscapes, the xeriscape will require some maintenance, but it is less than traditional landscapes overall. The bulk of the work takes place in the beginning, when establishing the plants, and then as the landscape matures there is just minor maintenance in the way of pruning, weeding, fertilizing, and pest control. A well-maintained, well-thought xeriscape can minimize landscape cost and irrigation needs.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Green Energy Efficient Landscaping; Landscaping for Sustainable Living
Like all landscapes, the xeriscape will require some maintenance, but it is less than traditional landscapes overall. The bulk of the work takes place in the beginning, when establishing the plants, and then as the landscape matures there is just minor maintenance in the way of pruning, weeding, fertilizing, and pest control. A well-maintained, well-thought xeriscape can minimize landscape cost and irrigation needs.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Green Energy Efficient Landscaping; Landscaping for Sustainable Living
Xeriscaping is choosing plants which can tolerate droughts, require less water, grow slowly, and produce little yard trimmings. Always keep in mind, though, that you want to choose climate and environmentally-appropriate plants. Consider the sunlight available, the soil types, and water. What might be the most efficient in one area might not work in another. Choose native plants and try not to disrupt the surrounding environment any more than is absolutely necessary. Work with your existing landscape, not against it. Also, group plants with similar water needs together to reduce the overall waste when watering.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Green Energy Efficient Landscaping; Landscaping for Sustainable LivingGreen Energy Efficient Landscaping; Landscaping for Sustainable Living
Landscaping can not only make your property look good, it can help conserve energy. By designing it with that in mind, you can reduce the overall resources needed to maintain it and the waste produced from it. When first conceiving your landscape, consider what you hope to achieve with it. Why do you want to have a landscape and what are you using it for? And when choosing the plants that will go into your landscape, you might want to consider xeriscaping to cut down on the water needed to maintain your property.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Green Appliances contribute energy savings to a Green Home
Energy efficient or green appliances are a vital part of a green home. There are many choices available to furnish your home with items which will cut your overall energy consumption by up to half.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Green Cleaning Products
Go through your products and if toxic ingredients are listed, that product should be eliminated from household use. By reducing the exposure to these chemicals, you will not only help your health, but also the environment around you.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Building Materials for Green Homes
3. Avoiding Emissions
• Natural Products: By using low energy and providing a low risk of chemical release, these products are good for the environment overall.
• Elimination of Ozone-Depleting Substances: By reducing the amount of these products you use, the positive impact on the environment can be seen.
• Elimination of Hazardous Products: When choosing project components, remember to consider the impact hazardous materials can have. There are alternatives to such materials available.
• Elimination of Pesticide Treatment: By choosing methods that will eliminate the need for pesticides, the environmental impact can be greatly improved.
• Reduction of Storm Water Pollution: Less storm water runoff can reduce the amount of water pollution in the area.
• Reduction of Construction Activities: Consideration of erosion control, elimination of the need for excavation, and consideration of exterior stains can all reduce the impact construction can have on the area.
• Reduction of Waste and Pollution: Choosing alternative wastewater disposal systems and promoting recycling activities can help reduce the negative environmental impact the home can have.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Building Materials for Green Homes
2. Conserving Natural Resources
• Reduce Material Use: Using alternative products (such as drywall clips to eliminate the need for corner studs) cut down on the amount of materials needed to complete your project.
• Durable and Low Maintenance: By not having to be replaced as often, the reduction of lifetime materials is significant.
• Certified Wood Products: Choose wood that comes from well-managed forest areas. Third-party forest certification is a good way to ensure this.
• Rapidly Renewable Products: These products can be renewed in the environment in 10 years or less and are biodegradable, coming from agricultural crops.
