Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: catawba county green building, catawba valley green building council, Century 21 Hickory NC, ecofriendly in hickory nc, energy efficiency, Hickory Area Info, Hickory Eco Friendly, hickory eco real estate, hickory greeen real estate, hickory green homes, hickory green living, Hickory Green Real Estate, hickory information, hickory nc 28601, Hickory NC Green, hickory nc green building, Hickory NC Information, hickory nc news, home energy solutions, lisa panten, living green in hickory nc, Mike Kelly Jr, rob howard, snow creek elementary
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Hickory Green Building & Solar Tour 2009
Covering Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties
In partnership with community leaders, partner organizations and the American Solar Energy Society, The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association will once again host the annual Green Building & Solar Tour on Saturday, October 3, Saturday, October 10 and Saturday, October 17 in communities across our great state. The 2009 tour will educate citizens with the most up-to-date information on a wide range of green building solutions, technologies and energy efficiency measures.
This is your chance to visit and “see up close” various sizes and styles of “green” homes, businesses, schools, privately-owned renewable energy projects, and government facilities featuring solar and/or green building products and technologies on this self-guided tour in communities across North Carolina. Site owners, green builders, contractors, installers and other experts will also be available at tour sites to answer questions and provide more details.
Kickoff Event (8:00 – 9:00)
Western Piedmont Council of Governments
736 4th St. SW Hickory, NC 28602
-Registration with coffee and donuts
-Alternative Fuel Vehicle Display
-Screening of the film “Kilowatt Ours”
Morning Tour (9:00 – 12:30)
-Catawba County EcoComplex
-Passive solar home with renewable energy features
Luncheon at WPCOG (12:30 – 1:30)
-Solar Thermal Presentation
Afternoon Tour (1:30 – 5:00)
-Snow Creek Elementary School
-Green home with ENERGY STAR and NAHB Green certifications
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FREE tour with roundtrip transportation provided
(donations will be collected to cover food and fuel costs)
To register, contact Rob Howard at (828) 217-0506 or rob@homeenergysol.com
Affiliated with the National Solar Tour www.ases.org and the North Carolina Green Building and Solar Tour www.energync.org
Thank you to our sponsors:
Catawba Valley Green Building Council
www.cvgbc.org
Home Energy Solutions
Contact Information
Email: info@hickorysolartour.com
Phone: (828) 328-3650
Address: Home Energy Solutions, Inc. PO Box 3352, Hickory, NC, 28603
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: catawba county green building, catawba valley green building council, Century 21 Hickory, ecofriendly in hickory nc, energy efficiency, Hickory Area Info, Hickory Eco Friendly, hickory eco real estate, Hickory EcoBroker, hickory greeen real estate, hickory green homes, Hickory Green Homes for Sale, hickory green living, Hickory Green Real Estate, hickory homes for sale, hickory information, Hickory NC, hickory nc 28601, Hickory NC Green, hickory nc green building, hickory nc green homes, Hickory NC Information, hickory nc real estate, Hickory Real Estate, living green in hickory nc, Mike Kelly Jr EcoBroker
Written by: Mike Kelly Jr. and also posted on http://activerain.com/blogs/mikekelly
BUILD GREEN WITH BOWMAN CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN INC.
Building green means incorporating environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the home building and land development process to minimize environmental impact. During the design, construction, and operation of a home, energy and water efficiency, lot development, resource efficient building design and materials, indoor environmental quality and homeowner maintenance should all be considered. Although we cannot entirely avoid affecting the environment when a house is built, green building can work toward minimizing that environmental impact.
The concept of green building isn’t new-our great-grandparents built climate-appropriate homes using locally-available materials. Today’s green homes incorporate not only climatic considerations, but are resource and energy efficient, safer for occupants, and often less expensive to maintain.
To learn more about building a green home in the Hickory Area Visit:
BOWMAN CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN INC. Clicking Here
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Randy Bowman has been a Licensed General Contractor since 1990, with an unlimited license, Bowman Construction & Design, Inc. is located in Newton, North Carolina. It is our goal to design and build homes of the highest quality. We insist on the best materials and put many “custom” touches in all of our homes.
Randy Bowman awarded the NAHB Certified Green Professional designation.
Randy Bowman named NAHB-RC Accredited Verifier for NAHB Green Building Program
Randy Bowman appointed to NCHBA Green Building Council
Randy Bowman in the Chairperson for the Catawba Valley Green Building Council.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: catawba county green building, catawba valley green building council, Century 21 Hickory NC, ecofriendly in hickory nc, energy efficiency, energy star tax savings, Hickory Eco Friendly, hickory eco real estate, Hickory EcoBroker, hickory greeen real estate, hickory green homes, Hickory Green Homes for Sale, hickory green living, Hickory Green Real Estate, hickory homes for sale, hickory information, Hickory NC, hickory nc 28601, Hickory NC EcoBroker, Hickory NC Green, hickory nc green building, hickory nc green homes, Hickory NC Information, hickory nc news, hickory nc real estate, Hickory Real Estate, home energy audit, Mike Kelly Jr EcoBroker
Written by: Mike Kelly Jr. and also posted on http://activerain.com/blogs/mikekelly
Are rising energy costs getting you down and making your utility bills go up?
Home Energy Solutions can perform a home energy audit and show you how to conserve energy, increase comfort, and improve indoor air quality.
Home Energy Solutions offers home performance contracting for a turn key solution to your energy retrofit needs. Common improvements include HVAC duct sealing, air sealing and insulation.
Building a new home?
Home Energy Solutions offers third party verification for the ENERGY STAR Homes Program and several green building programs. They do plan reviews and perform inspections of framing, moisture protection, air sealing, insulation, and mechanical systems. They test the ductwork and the whole house for air leakage in order to estimate the home’s annual energy costs.
Hickory, North Carolina
828-328-3650
For More Information Click Here
Home Energy Solutions is a proud member of the Catawba Valley Green Building Council.
Catawba Valley Green Building Council is where local Hickory professionals can help you build or remodel your home to make it more environmentally friendly and save you money in the long run. Contact one of the Hickory-Catawba Valley Green Building Council members to learn more about planning for your new home or remodeling project.
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For more information about Hickory North Carolina visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com
For more information about living Green in Hickory visit www.HickoryGreenHomes.com
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About the Author:
Mike Kelly Jr. is a cerified EcoBroker® in the Catawba Valley Area.
This is a value added service I offer to my clients. Contact me today to show your properties that are Built Green, have green energy saving aspects or could be remodeled green with your personal touch. If you own a green home and are ready to sell, list your home with me and I will market and sell your place to a green-minded buyer.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: carbon offsets, Century 21 Hickory NC, duke energy, ecofriendly in hickory nc, hickory green homes, Hickory Green Real Estate, hickory information, hickory nc 28601, hickory nc green homes, hickory nc news, Hickory Real Estate, living green in hickory nc, Mike Kelly Jr, Mike Kelly Jr EcoBroker
Written by: Mike Kelly Jr. and also posted on http://activerain.com/blogs/mikekelly
Whether it’s driving, flying or turning on the air conditioner, our daily activities produce carbon dioxide emissions. Participation in the Carbon Offset Program is an easy and inexpensive way to balance out, or “offset” the environmental consequences produced by our energy-intensive lifestyles.
The Carbon Offset Program can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
Through Duke Energy’s partnership with NC GreenPower, a non-profit organization, you can purchase carbon offsets to support programs that reduce or prevent the release of carbon dioxide emissions. NC GreenPower evaluates each program using strict criteria established by the Environmental Defense Fund.
- A carbon offset may be purchased for $4 per month, which will offset 500 pounds of carbon dioxide.
- The average residential customer uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of energy per month.
- By purchasing two carbon offsets each month for $8, you can balance your home’s carbon output.
- You may also elect to purchase additional offsets to help compensate for the emissions from driving, flying, etc.
Duke Energy will match your contribution by partnering with their customers to reduce carbon emissions and protect our world for future generations. For the first $4 carbon offset each customer buys, Duke Energy will match the contribution to NC GreenPower up to $1 million through 2009.
To read more information about the Carbon Offset Program – Click Here
To purchase a Carbon Offset – Click Here
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For more information about Hickory North Carolina visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com
For more information about living Green in Hickory visit www.HickoryGreenHomes.com
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I am a cerified EcoBroker® in the Catawba County Area. This is a value added service I offer to my clients. Contact me today to show your properties that are Built Green, have green energy saving aspects or could be remodeled green with your personal touch. If you own a green home and are ready to sell, list your home with me and I will market and sell your place to a green-minded buyer.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: catawba science center, catawba valley green building council, century 21 american homes, Century 21 Hickory NC, growng a greener future, Hickory Eco Friendly, hickory greeen real estate, hickory green homes, Hickory Green Homes for Sale, hickory green living, hickory nc 28601, Hickory Real Estate, kathleen kelly realtor, Mike Kelly Jr EcoBroker
Written by: Mike Kelly Jr. April 17, 2009 Posted on Active Rain
WHAT: Celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day Growing a Green Future
WHEN: Saturday, April 25 between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. rain or shine
WHERE: Grassy Area at the SALT Block at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, 375 3rd Street, NE Hickory
More than two dozen educational, environmental and environmental-orientated business booths will be set up in the grassy area across the front of during the event.
Vendors will have giveaways, including free T-shirts to the first 500 people and 600 tree seedlings, and information about the importance of being green. There will also be an environmental film series, food vendors and 60 free pizzas will be given out at the event.
Participants representing environmentally-oriented businesses and organizations with booths:
City of Hickory Recycling Advisory Board – Giving away 500 free T-shirts and free pizzas.
City of Hickory Community Appearance Commission/Landscape Services -Giving away 200 River Birch, 200 Red Maple and 200 Shumard Oak tree seedlings.
City of Hickory Engineering/Stormwater
City of Hickory Public Utilities
Catawba County
Catawba County Utilities and Engineering
Keep Catawba County Beautiful
Catawba County’s Riverbend Park
City of Conover
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Reese Institute for Conservation of Natural Resources of Lenoir-Rhyne University
GoGreen Hickory
Catawba Valley Green Building Council
Garbage Disposal Services (GDS)
Wild Birds Unlimited
Carolina Thread Trail
Sunquest Solar Heating
Mike Kelly Jr. Eco-Broker/Century 21 American Homes
Air Purification
Shaklee Products
Hickory High School – Environmental Science students
Catawba Valley Medical Center Green Team
Good Wood Pizza
Environmental films will be shown in the community room at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, below is the schedule:
Start Time Film
ll:30 a.m. ”Energy Crossroads -A Burning Need To Change Course” (1h/10m)
1:00 p.m. ”Thread Trails” (20 min)
1:45 p.m. ”Our Gentle River” (30 min)
2:30 p.m. ”After The Storm” (22 min)
In addition to the Growing a Green Future event at the SALT Block on April 25, the Catawba Science Center has a full day of programming and all its exhibits will be open, including its special exhibit “Swamp Things” and people are encouraged to check out Patrick Beaver Memorial Library and check out what’s new at the library.
For more information, call (828) 323-7500 or go to www.hickorygov.com under special events.
For more information about Hickory North Carolina visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com
For more information about living Green in Hickory – Click Here
I am a cerified EcoBroker® in the Catawba County Area. This is a value added service I offer to my clients. Contact me today to show your properties that are Built Green, have green energy saving aspects or could be remodeled green with your personal touch. If you own a green home and are ready to sell, list your home with me and I will market and sell your place to a green-minded buyer.
EcoBrokers® are equipped with additional energy and environmental information and tools that help them provide added value to all of their real estate transactions. EcoBroker® training helps real estate agents address the newest topics in real estate, such as “green” home certification programs like Energy Star® Qualified Homes, energy-efficiency, and environmentally-sensitive design. The EcoBroker® designation assists real estate agents in working through issues that may arise in any real estate transaction, such as mold, radon, and poor indoor air quality, providing real solutions. EcoBrokers® grow their client base by attracting the green-minded consumer and providing valuable energy and environmental information to all types of clients. With expertise and Affiliate relationships, EcoBrokers® are known for providing exceptional value to all of their relationships.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: century 21 american homes, Century 21 Hickory NC, energy star tax savings, Hickory Area Info, hickory eco real estate, hickory green homes, hickory homes for sale, Hickory NC, hickory nc 28601, Hickory NC EcoBroker, Hickory NC Information, hickory nc real estate, Hickory Real Estate, Mike Kelly Jr EcoBroker
Written by: Mike Kelly Jr. EcoBroker and also published in my Active Rain Blog
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was signed into law in October and starting January 1, 2009 the law expanded and extended valuable federal tax credits for homeowners that make certain energy efficient upgrades. Benefits include lower energy bills, reduced home air pollution, and increased indoor comfort. You can also save with the energy efficient products that are eligible for the new federal tax credits that actually lower the amount of federal income taxes that taxpayers must pay. The following shows how much you could save if you take advantage of the some of these tax credits.
PURCHASE: Central Air Conditioner of Heat Pump (only some Energy Star products qualify)
TAX SAVINGS: $300
PURCHASE: Furnace or Boiler (only some Energy Star products qualify)
TAX SAVINGS: $500
PURCHASE: Windows (all Energy Star products qualify)
TAX SAVINGS: up to $200
PURCHASE: Insulation and Sealing (must meet model building code as installed)
TAX SAVINGS: up to $500
PURCHASE: Ground Source Heat Pump (only Energy Star products qualify)
TAX SAVINGS: up to $2,000
*NOTE: maximum of $500 total for home improvements
In some areas and regions, consumers will also be eligible for utility rebates, state rebates, or state tax incentives for homes, vehicles, and equipment.
For more information about living Green in Hickory - Click Here
I am the first certified EcoBroker® in the Catawba County Area. This is a value added service I offer to my clients. Contact me today to show your properties that are Built Green, have green energy saving aspects or could be remodeled green with your personal touch. If you own a green home and are ready to sell, list your home with me and I will market and sell your place to a green-minded buyer.
EcoBrokers® are equipped with additional energy and environmental information and tools that help them provide added value to all of their real estate transactions. EcoBroker® training helps real estate agents address the newest topics in real estate, such as “green” home certification programs like Energy Star® Qualified Homes, energy-efficiency, and environmentally-sensitive design. The EcoBroker® designation assists real estate agents in working through issues that may arise in any real estate transaction, such as mold, radon, and poor indoor air quality, providing real solutions. EcoBrokers® grow their client base by attracting the green-minded consumer and providing valuable energy and environmental information to all types of clients. With expertise and Affiliate relationships, EcoBrokers® are known for providing exceptional value to all of their relationships.
Source: Alliance to Save Energy and The Certified Residential Specialist
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: catawba county green building, Century 21 Hickory NC, Hickory Area Info, hickory eco real estate, hickory green building permits, Hickory Green Real Estate, Hickory NC, hickory nc green building, Hickory NC Information, Hickory Real Estate
Written By Mike Kelly Jr. 1/23/09
The Green Building incentives section of the Catawba County’s building fee structures is a special allowance to provide an incentive for building in accordance with LEED, Energy Star, and NC Healthy Built Homes.
The incentive based fee structure is intended to increase renewable/sustainable energy technologies and green building certifications for homes and commercial buildings in Catawba County.
Various permit and plan review incentives are available for new and existing construction. To qualify, the builder or owner needs to obtain all permitting from Catawba County and a green building certification from a third party agency (LEED, Energy Star, etc.). For new construction, once a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, a percentage of the permit fees will be reimbursed to the permit holder.
For existing structures, upon completion of final inspection, permit fee rebates will be issued to the permit holder.
Catawba County will rebate all fees related to plan review or express review for commercial buildings seeking LEED certification.
Regular fees must be paid in full at time of plan review or permit issuance. Fee rebates will be refunded upon project completion and certification by a third party agency.
Here are just some of the examples of residential rebates:
Geothermal Heat Pump – Mechanical Permit Fee – 50% rebate – $27.50 value
Geothermal Heat Pump – Electrical Permit Fee – 50% rebate – $25.00 value
Solar Hot Water – Electrical Permit Fee – 50% rebate – $25.00 value
Solar Hot Water – Plumbing Permit Fee – 50% rebate – $12.50 value
Gray Water Collection for flushing fixtures – Plumbing Permit Fee – 50% rebate – $30.50 value
For more information about these permit incentives you can contact the Catawba County Utilities & Engineering, Catawba County Government Center, 100 A South West Blvd., Newton, NC 28658, Phone: 828-465-8399.
For more information on Green building programs:
http://www.healthybuilthomes.org/
For more information about Catawba County or Hickory please feel free to visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com
I am the first certified EcoBroker® in the Catawba County Area. This is a value added service I offer to my clients. Contact me today to show your properties that are Built Green, have green energy saving aspects or could be remodeled green with your personal touch. If you own a green home and are ready to sell, list your home with me and I will market and sell your place to a green-minded buyer.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Written by: Mike Kelly Jr. 1/22/09
The Catawba County Government has made a concerted effort to promote education and responsible behavior regarding conservation of energy, recycling, waste management, energy efficient building, and beautification.
The following is a list of just some of the steps a few of the county departments have taken.
Catawba County Government
Ranked in the top five counties within North Carolina for recycled materials for the last six years
Created a buy recycled policy for all departments, employees, and buyers
Tracks the annual purchases of recycled content goods and products
Asks all staff to turn off their electronic equipment when they leave work
Operates 12 hybrid vehicles
Catawba County Schools
Will be constructing Snow Creek Elementary with new energy efficient materials. These materials will allow Snow Creek to operate 40 to 45 percent cheaper than the last elementary school that was constructed, which was built in 2006.
Library System
Capturing rainwater in rain barrels for landscape irrigation
Ink cartridge and cell phone recycling drop off
Computers and copiers are shut down at the end of each day.
Recycle newspapers, magazines, many types of paper, cardboard, cans, plastic bottles.
Whenever possible, print on both sides of the paper
Many staff use ceramic coffee mugs, real silverware, plates and bowls to cut down on the amount of Styrofoam cups and paper goods that we use.
As incandescent light bulbs burn out, the division replaces them with the newer fluorescent energy saving light bulbs
Staff members are asked to turn off lights in the public service workroom, storage room, and auditorium when those spaces are not being used.
Some staff members who live far from the library work flexible schedules to limit the number of times that they have to drive to Newton for work.
Staff members at Main Library have presented story programs for preschoolers on:
Recycling and helping keep the earth clean
Daycares and pre-schools can check out a story-time book crate called “Our Earth” to teach children how to care for the earth.
If you are interested in more information about energy efficiency and environmental information about the local area please feel free to contact me at my website www.MikeKellyJr.com.
I am the first certified EcoBroker® in the Catawba County Area. This is a value added service I offer to my clients. Contact me today to show your properties that are Built Green, have green energy saving aspects or could be remodeled green with your personal touch. If you own a green home and are ready to sell, list your home with me and I will market and sell your place to a green-minded buyer.
EcoBrokers® are equipped with additional energy and environmental information and tools that help them provide added value to all of their real estate transactions. EcoBroker® training helps real estate agents address the newest topics in real estate, such as “green” home certification programs like Energy Star® Qualified Homes, energy-efficiency, and environmentally-sensitive design. The EcoBroker® designation assists real estate agents in working through issues that may arise in any real estate transaction, such as mold, radon, and poor indoor air quality, providing real solutions. EcoBrokers® grow their client base by attracting the green-minded consumer and providing valuable energy and environmental information to all types of clients. With expertise and Affiliate relationships, EcoBrokers® are known for providing exceptional value to all.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Century 21 Hickory, Hickory Area Info, Hickory Eco Friendly, Hickory Green Homes for Sale, Hickory Green Real Estate, Hickory NC, Hickory NC EcoBroker, Hickory Real Estate, Mike Kelly Jr EcoBroker
Written by: Mike Kelly Jr. 1/17/2009
Due to the drought that has gripped the south east for more than a year – the city of Hickory has restricted water usage for its businesses and residents. Hickory High School has a found a way around the city water restrictions. They are participating in the Community Conservation Assistance Program through the NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources.
The school will install a cistern to hold rain water that drains off the roof of the athletic building. The cistern will hold the rainwater until the school needs it to water plants, garden, and irrigate the athletic fields around the building.
The state will pay for seventy-five percent of the cost through the Community Conservation Assistance Program. This will cover the cistern, pipes and other materials. The school will just have to dig the hole.
The tank will hold seventeen hundred gallons and will be installed underground. The hope is that it will catch up to fifty-five thousand gallons of rain water per year. Besides being used to irrigate the vegetation around the school this cistern will also slow the water going into storm drains which will improve overall water quality.
It is great to hear about local groups increasing the awareness of the importance of water conservation.
For more information about Hickory NC please visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Century 21 Hickory NC, Hickory Area Info, hickory green homes, Hickory Green Homes for Sale, Hickory Green Real Estate, Hickory NC, Hickory NC Green, Hickory NC Information, Mike Kelly Jr EcoBroker, Rain Barrels Hickory NC
Hickory NC Government is helping Residents Purchase RAIN BARRELS
Written by: Mike Kelly Jr. 11/24/2008
The Hickory government is partnering with RainBarrel USA to offer residents a means to purchase rain barrels at wholesale prices as part of their continued effort to conserve water and implement stormwater management. Hickory government is not making a profit from the sale of these rain barrels. The manufacturer delivers the rain barrels to the Julian G.Whittener Municipal Building for residents to pick up.
For more information about eco-friendly resources please visit my website http://www.mikekellyjr.com/
For more information about this Hickory Government program please visit www.hickorygov.com
