A Community Site About Everything Green in Lake Norman

 

 

If you are interested in learning more about green or high performance homes, one of the best ways is to tour an actual certified home.  Schreiner Custom Homes  is offering the public a rare opportunity to tour the highest level, a LEED Certifed home, from April 23 - May 10th.

 

In order to help visitors to understand the highlights of the homes, there will be 28 signs throughout the tour pointing to specific high performance elements of the home.

 

Here is what Steve Schreiner of Schriener Custom Homes wrote about this project: 

 

The High Performance Home  is located in a community called Overlook on Mountain Island Lake.  This area is one of the most environmentally sensitive areas of Charlotte.  So it only seems fitting that this home with environmental conserving characteristics be located there.

 

The High Performance Home consists of a coordinated program incorporating numerous systems and products working together to produce a home that will be very energy efficient and therefore environmentally sensitive.  The US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program has been implemented in this project, using an integrated design approach and incorporating sustainable procedures and products.  This overall program is built upon a series of systems.

·         Water Efficiency focuses on water use and water re-use through plumbing fixtures, rainwater reclamation, landscaping irrigation.

·           Energy & Atmosphere addresses energy efficiency, tightness of the building envelope, insulation materials, house orientation, energy-demand (appliances, lighting, heating/cooling).

·           Materials and Resources focuses on materials used in the home as to what they are comprised of, how energy consuming was it to produce them, how far away from the house site are they shipped, comprised of re-cycled materials.

·          Indoor Environmental Quality addresses the critical living environment of the home.  Since the house is now very tight it will also seal air from escaping as well and this could lead to air quality issues for the occupants; this is where low VOC paints, fabrics, and air exchangers become important. 

·         Education and Awareness is what the High Performance Home event is all about.  We propose to provide an opportunity for the public to see for themselves what these different systems are all about and the products and procedures used to make them effective.

 

Our intent is for everyone to take with them some knowledge of how to implement a similar program into their own personal project, a new home, or renovation of an existing home.

         More Information:          

 

Charlotte, NC - High Performan Home

www.HighPerformanceHomeNC.com    TV Partner – WCNC    Network Affiliate – NBC    Builder Partners – Schreiner Custom Homes    Charity Partner – Our Towns Habitat for Humanity    Tour Dates – April 23rd – May 10th    Tour Days & Times –Thurs. - Sat. 10am-5pm; Sun. Noon-5pm    Ticket Price – $5 at the door

 

 Map and Tour Information

 

 

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We all know that energy efficiency is a big component of a “green” home.  Properly sealed, moisture protected, and insulated walls help increase comfort, reduce noise and save energy.

The keys to an effective wall are:

• Airtight Construction
• Moisture Control
• Complete Insulation Coverage

Most people know that the different levels of insulation are measured in R-Values.  But, there are also many types of insulation which provide different qualities of performance.

R-value:

Insulation level is specified by R-value.  R-value is a measure of the insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it.  The higher the R-value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Generally recommended R-values = R-38 for ceilings, R-21 for walls and R-10+ for foundations. 

Types of Insulation:

• Fiberglass and rock wool batts- generally the most inexpensive wall insulation
• Cellulose insulation - made from recycled newsprint, usually loose-fill
• Fiberglas and rock wool loosefill insulation - full coverage that involves blowing insulation into open stud cavities
• Rigid foam insulation - higher R-value per inch than fiberglass or cellulose insulation.  Stops air leaks.  More expensive.
• Foam-in-place insulation - blown into walls, reduces air leakage.  It is preferable to use Carbon Dioxide in the manufacturing process than more environmentally harmful gases such as pentane or hyrofluorocarbons.

With the increased interest in the “green” movement, many insulation products that are green-friendly and have higher rates of energy efficiency have gained in popularity.  At the most recent North Carolina Home Builders Association Convention in Charlotte I was able to go from booth to booth collecting information and observing demonstrations of many “green” and high efficiency types of insulation.  Here is a summary of the most notable:

Nu-Wool Premium Cellulose Insulation…Green Since 1949: Made from recycled newspaper, this product is blown in for maximum reduction of air leakage and claims to save a homeowner up to 40% on utility bills. Nu-wool is an Energy Star product and adds significant points toward a LEED Certification. www.nuwool.com.

Sealection Agribalance Spray Foam Insulation:  Is another highly energy efficient spray foam insulation with approval by “Energy Choice”,  a member of the US Green Building Council and an Energy Star partner.  They offer several products including Heatlok Soy spray polyurethane foam.

BioBased Insulation is an energy efficient, soy-based spray foam insulation that is said to be ” the most environmentally friendly insulation” because of it’s use of soy-based technology and a minimum of petroleum.

NCFI polyurethanes Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation claims to be “simply the best insulation you can install”. 

Low -E Reflective Insulation:  “Reduces your carbon footprint”.

BioFoam Insulation (919.821.3288):  ” A healthier, more durable, energy efficient and environmentally responsible insulation.”  It is applied as a liquid which quickly expands, conforming and filling cavities,and voids to create a sealed thermal envelope. Named “Outstanding Green Product of the Year” in 2003 by the National Association of Home Builders.

Green Fiber is also made of recycled newsprint and is sprayed in for improved sealing and energy efficiency.  It also claims to be more fire resistant than more commonly used insulation

Clearly there are many insulation products available with varying degrees of energy efficiency and additional benefits in comfort, sound proofing and even health.  If you are interested in learning more about how to make your home more energy efficient, I highly recommend that you work with a Certified Green Builder.  You can contact the Lake Norman Home Builder’s Association for a list of CGB’s in our area.

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By Betty Houston:

 

It’s time to “Green Up” the landscaping at your home.  How do you achieve lush, green grass organically without spending a lot of “green”?

 

 

Myth: Organic lawns are not as green as synthetically, chemically maintained yards.

 

          Fact: A lawn that is maintained properly using natural fertilizer and organic pest control is not only safer for the environment, but will likely have a deeper green color, better drought tolerance and will be more pest resistant (weeds are pests, too).

 

Myth: Organic lawns are expensive to maintain.

 

          Fact: Any lawn that has been neglected is relatively expensive to rejuvenate (organically OR synthetically), and once an organically maintained lawn is healthy, with proper pH levels, appropriate amounts of Macro and Micro nutrients and microbial activity, it will actually SAVE you money on fertilizers, pest control and water.

 

 

You’ve Gone Green…How do you convince your Yard to Get Green without chemicals?

 

 

• Get a soil test and make sure you understand the results.  Have it done by a professional landscaper or ask your extension agent for help. North Carolina Department of Agriculture Soil Test Information
• It’s almost too late to apply a winter fertilizer to your cool season grass (like Tall Fescue), but if you haven’t yet, you should do so as soon as possible.
• Use a lime to raise your pH level.  Instead of Dolomitic Lime, if you have a good amount of magnesium in your soil, you may need to use calcitic lime, like Solu-cal or Verde-cal.
• Loosen your compacted clay soil with Gypsum and top dress with organic matter.
• Remove leaves and debris from your lawn during the fall and winter to keep your lawn healthy – recycle the leaves as compost or mulch for natural areas
• While the ground is wet after a rain, look around to see if you have water standing or washing.  Repair right away to prevent loosing healthy organic material on the top layer of your lawn and to keep lawns and landscaping healthy and pest free.

 

 

There are many variables in creating a healthy, pest resistant landscaping, but the first thing you must do is analyze the soil and the health of the plants growing in it.  Too much fertilizer or other amendments could be just as bad (or worse) than not enough.  Find out what you have first before starting any new program so that you don’t waste valuable money, time, or inadvertently contaminate our water and environment.

 

Link to Landscapes in Harmony, your organic landscape resource in Lake Norman:

http://landscapesinharmony.net/organic.aspx

 

Betty Houston

Horticulturist, Landscape Designer

 828-312-2238 

Betty.landscaping@gmail.com

www.landscapesinharmony.net

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Looking for that last minute gift or some cheerful holiday decorations for your home?  Why not make it a “green” holiday? 

I have been collecting websites and ideas for the past several weeks.  Here they are:

Decorations:  Check out Holiday LED for a great selection of Christmas and Holiday LED lighting

Gifts:

• Eco Fabulous offer myriad eco-friendly gifts and everyday products from Organic Hot Chocolate by Dacoba to eco-accessories for the whole family at Pottery Barn.
• Why not give a gift that keeps on giving for a whole year?  GreenDimes is a service that will get rid of 90% of your junk mail.  I have used it for almost a year and I barely got any gift catalogues in the mail this year…it works!  And, when you join, they will plant 5 trees on your behalf.  They also offer other “green” gift ideas.
• Another GREAT gift idea is from Eco Hatchery where you can get an Eco Hatchery Starter Kit complete with an Energy monitor, Compact fluorescent lightbulb, Reuseable shopping tote, Reuseable Filtered water bottle, HOme Tap Water Quality Test, Faucet Aerators, Toilet Leak Detectors, Refrigerator Coil Brush, Refrigerator Thermometer, Water-based Removeable Caulk, Outlet Sealers, Light Switch Sealers, Waterpipe Insullation Samples, Recycled Coffee Filters and a Renewable Soy  Candle for $97.50.  This website has great resources and information as well.

 

Finally, a great present for children:  Leave it to Dr. Seuss to write an insightful “Earth Friendly” book for children way back in 1971 called The Lorax.  The message is wonderful and it is even printed on recycled paper!  I got my copy on Amazon.com but I’m sure it is available in bookstores everywhere.

 

 

Have a happy, “Green” holiday season and a very “Green” New Year!

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