Special offer

10 + "Re-GREENs" Breathe New Value Into Old Homes

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent with ECO-Steward Realty

Here is janeAnne's excellent post.

Thank you janeAnne, you're the best.

Let's upgrade and move into the future.

 

sustainable asheville

When it comes to being an Eco-Starevery home can shine, even an "Oldie but Goodie" like this one in an historic and  sustainable community in Asheville, NC.

Simple  changes at home can add up to real benefits for your family, neighborhood and contribute to a sustainable community.  

Here, for example, are at least 10 "re-greens' ( things you can do)  to retrofit an older home that I collected as part of an on-going series I am doing to highlight Active Rain bloggers who have caught my attention with their wit and wisdom(Look for my reBLOGS)

 

Here, from your AR colleagues at the ECO-All-Stars Group  are examples that represent value-added opportunities for real estate professionals and our clients in terms of sustainable living alternatives.

•1.      Tony ZimmermanReGreen Tips
•2.      Stephanie Edwards-Musa
•3.      Mary Bigelow  Energy Efficiency
•4.      Jonathan Blackwell Green Bathroom Renovation
"5.      Deb Hurt  Perspective
•6.      Diane Daley  Linoleum!
•7.      Tricia Jumonville  Which home is Greenest?
•8.      Johnathan Mullaney GREEN Living Tips
•9.      Kimo Stowell Beautiful Revival 
•10.    Sharon Simms NEAT Features in Old Homes 

 

 OK I'm liking this conversation.!   It's Winter! And I am thinking "Time for Creative GREENING Projects" ...and recycling. Did you know that according to the National Institutes of Health we generate about 208 million tons of municipal solid waste a year!  That's more than 4 pounds per person per day of   GLUNK!

SO! Recycle and Re-Green  is the by-word for 2009. You could  recycle glass bottles, save electricity and create countertops like this one by IceStone    that offers "  an environmentally friendly alternative to natural stone and solid surface materials. The non-porous, durable and heat-resistant qualities make them a good match for kitchens and bathrooms. ... Because the material can be shaped, cut, inlaid or mounted it can used for of applications from backsplashes to countertops to flooring. Due to its high recycled content, IceStone materials can be used for LEED qualification."

By the way!  IceStone received a Silver certification from Cradle To Cradle (one of my favorite organizations)  for its commitment to environmentally intelligent design."

So here are the 10+++++ (pluses)  to add to our Winter Re-GREEN Tip for Older Homes: 

1.Tankless water heaters.  Very popular in Europe. Hmmmm. Maybe they know more about preserving castles.
2.Compact fluorescent bulbs. You can replace the incandescent bulbs, one at a time as they burn out. John's record for fluorescent bulb: 13 years! (see above)
3.Radiant Barriers. Reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, and thus lower heating and cooling costs. The barriers consist of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it. 
4.Solar Panels . Modular panels that can be designed to meet any electrical requirement, no matter how large or how small.
5. Weather stripping. Caulk and check is as needed. And check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if it meets the levels recommended for your area.
6. Natural stone and solid surface materials. Love this one (See link above)
7. Geothermal Heat Pump Systems. Replace your old one when the time comes. They use 25%-50% less electricity than conventional heating or cooling systems and save  money.
8
.Task Lighting. Direct light where you need it. Save energy and money.Good for romantic cooking. Better than candlelight they tell me .
9. Renewable Energy.  According to Wikipedia this is "energy derived from resources that are regenerative or for all practical purposes cannot be depleted."   Try solar-powered outdoor lights . Consider, too choosing renewable energy from your utility to even producing solar electricity at home with photovoltaic (PV) cells. Also check out Wikipedia for more info on renewable energy in the form of: 

10. Sayeth the U.S. Department of Energy

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

10 + "Re-GREENs" Breathe New Value Into Old Homes. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Comments (2)

ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

John~

Thanks for reBLOGGING my post! Yo make an excellent point: " Let's upgrade and move into the future...."

Jan 09, 2009 01:16 AM
John Narrin
ECO-Steward Realty - Asheville, NC

You are welcome, janeAnne.

 

JT

Jan 11, 2009 01:46 AM