“Blog Action Day  is an annual event that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day on their own blogs with the aim of sparking discussion around an issue of global importance. Blog Action Day 2009 will be the largest-ever social change event on the web. One day. One issue. Thousands of voices.”

Lake Norman Green Homes is proud to be one of 7108 blogs are participating in over 136 countries with an expectation of 11,214,552 readers today, Oct. 15th! 

Climate Change + Lake Norman “Green” Homes

While climate change  may conjur up images of melting icebergs, floods and droughts, if we focus on reducing emissions and renewable energy it is quite important and proper to write about “green” homes and the exciting trends in “high performance” homes that are cropping up in and around our Lake Norman communities. 

As a Certified Green Professional, EcoBroker and Green Realtor I have been a member of the Lake Norman Home Builders Association’s Green Building Council for over a year and I am witnessing on a weekly basis the growth and emphasis on using eco-friendly building materials and environmentally-conscious techniques in home building.  With over 50 members, our Lake Norman Green Building Council is comprised of builders, contractors, energy auditors, and suppliers of green building products and services ranging from insulation to formaldehyde-free cabinetry and flooring to environmentally friendly landscaping. 

In an article in the Lake Norman Business Magazine:  “Green Goes Mainstream” Gail Minter made a great statement:  “Green building – using eco-friendly building materials and environmentally-conscious techniques–has moved from being an oddity into the mainstream.”   I am convinced that once our recession is over and home-builders begin building again, there will be a significant change in the design and components of new homes in Lake Norman just as there will be around the country.  We will see an increased emphasis on green technology, sustainability and factors that affect a home from the planning stages through completion including:

• Site selection (placement on lot to take advantage of passive solar energy, minimize storm water run off, maximize use of  natural light, protection/minimal disruption of the natural habitat)
• Use of recycled or re-used material include old wood, bricks and glass
• Use of sustainably-harvested or rapidly renewable wood products
• Use of materials and products that are made locally or as close as possible to minimize energy use related to shipping/the carbon footprint
• Recycling of on-sight construction waste or minimizing waste through more efficient building practices
• Use of insulation, design and fixtures and applicances to minimize heat loss and maximize energy efficiency
• Increased use of alternative materials like cement, low-VOC paints, stains and glues to reduce chemical emissions

If you are interested in finding out more about green homes,  There is a great new book out:  Green From The Ground Up by David Johnston and Scott Gibson.

Or, go to Mother Nature Network to get their list of the 15 best carbon calculators   for individuals or households.

Finally, Fine Homebuilding has a great Payback Estimator for different types of insulation.

Honestly, this has been a bit of a rambling article.  The subject of “green” housing has become so broad and encompasses a large and diverse range of topics that I have just tried to wet your appetite and hope you will return to this blog for ongoing articles about Lake Norman’s green housing market.  It’s going to be exciting!

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

The good news this week is that many towns around Lake Norman are loosening their water restrictions thanks to some much needed rain this past summer.  But, this doesn’t mean that we Lake Norman home owners shouldn’t conserve water.

The practice of rainwater harvesting, the process of collecting rainwater that falls naturally and storing it for the future goes back to the ancient civilizations.  But, thanks to modern technology, more homeowners, even in Lake Norman, are understanding the value of our environment and our water supplies and are creating water harvesting systems in their own yards.

More elavorate above ground systems designed by such companies as RainEscape can use up to 10,000 gallon portable water storage tanks.

1700 Gallon Underground Tank

According to Tom VanZeeland, President, Territory Executive for RainEscape their Aquaeras – Rainwater Harvesting System is like Rain Barrels on Steroids!  It includes:

1. On-Demand system – Turn on a faucet, flush a toilet, irrigation timer starts
2. Sold as a Turn Key Kit of tank(s) & Controls (starting at $3799 less freight)
3. Above or Below Ground potable rated Tanks, 20 gallons to 10,000 gallons
4. 20-30 gallons / minute output @ 50-80 psi
5. 175? maximum Head water
6. Centrifugal force filtering down to almost 50 microns – Won’t clog Misting systems
or Drip systems.  Easy backflow cleaning for easy maintenance.
7. Female air hose fitting for easy winterizing of Irrigation system to blow out water
in water lines outside.
8. Water can be made Potable by adding additional filters.

Magic Calculation:  For EACH 1,000 sq. ft. of collecting surface you have, you can estimate 600+ gallons for Each 1? of Rain!!! (ie:  3,000 sq. ft. = 1,800 gallons for 1? of rain)

• Landscape irrigation
• Laundry
• Toilet flushing
• Car washing
• Filling pools and fountains

Whether you merely want to collect rainwater from you downspouts or want to include a complete system while building a new home, any effort to save our precious Lake Norman water is a great way towards creating your “green” home!

Rainwater Harvesting Resources

Life Water Designs in Charlotte

RainBarrelSource

TheRainCatchers

RainEscape

I had no idea we had a private curbside recycling service in the greater Mooresville area until I received an email from Patrica Doak, who, with her husband, started the Think Green Recycle Service last December.

While we take loads to the Iredell County Transfer Station on HWY 150, it is great to know that we now have curbside pick up in Mooresville and its surrounding areas.

Think Green Recycle Service offers a weekly curbside pickup of the following:

• Aluminum and Steel Cans
• Glass bottles (ALL COLORS!)
• Cardboard
• Paper
• Plastics (ALL numbered 107!)

They do not accept:

• Plastic bags or wrappers (Harris Teeter will take the bags)
• Styrofoam products
• Paper plates, napkins or towels
• Paints, gas cans

Right now, according to Trish Doak, they already have one “Green School”, Lake Norman Elementary.   They recycle their paper and plastic.  What a great way to teach children about the importance of recycling and the environment!  I hope that more of our local schools get on board with this great program.

FYI, I purchased a wonderful plastic trash can on line that has a built-in aluminum can-crusher on top which is great for maximizing space.  You can get other recycling bins at Lowe’s Home Improvement.

For more information about Think Green Recycle Service in Mooresville call Trish at :704.799.1520