Green Homes of the Week

Stone Ridge: A great green housing option in Fairfield.

If you are looking for a greener alternative for condo living, there is a place for you in Fairfield. Stone Ridge, a condo complex of 70 single level one, two and three bedroom homes, was built with energy efficiency in mind. In fact, this condominium project is Energy Star rated and certified. I know you have seen the emblem on home appliances. The certificates from Energy Star are on each unit’s electrical panel for verification.

Energy Star is a government backed program that offers a whole house approach to energy saving and comfort at home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has created strict guidelines that homes must meet to be certified. These guidelines serve as the roadmap to building a home that is energy efficient and typically are 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.

Beyond it structural design, its location should be considered when energy savings and ecofriendliness are a factor. It is very close to major shopping and entertainment venues including restaurants, office supplies and clothing stores within walking distance. Saves on gas! It is within walking distance of the future train station on Metro North as well.

The complex also is home to The Ridge Club which is exclusive to the residents. It includes a fully equipped “fitness parlor”, a concierge and a club room that serves continental breakfast and afternoon tea. You don’t even have to leave the property.

There are currently one, two and three bedroom units available and on the market. Click here to see a virtual tour of one of the 3 bedroom units that is on the market.

How Green is Kansas?

Last night, at President Obama’s speech to the joint session of Congress, a humble Mayor from Kansas sat with the First Lady to hear the President’s speech. What makes this unusual is that Bob Dixson, mayor of Greensburg, Kansas, was there as a symbol of the environmentally friendly building movement to the nation.

Greensburg was all but destroyed in a tornado on May 4, 2007. The tornado traveled quickly through the area, leveling at least 95 percent of the city and killing eleven people in a town with a population of nearly 1600.

The town made a remarkable decision amidst the devastation. They decided to rebuild Greensburg as a “green” town. It was the first city in the nation to adopt, by resolution of the city council, LEED- platinum standards for all city building
“I think about Greensburg, Kansas,” Obama said, “a town that was completely destroyed by a tornado but is being rebuilt by its residents as a global example of how clean energy can power an entire community — how it can bring jobs and businesses to a place where piles of bricks and rubble once lay.”

For more information on Greensburg, Kansas visit their website http://www.greensburgks.org/

Home Energy Tax Credits to Save You Thousands In 2009

Home energy tax credits are available for solar energy, energy efficiency, biodiesel and hybrid cars, home solar panels and more. See which federal home energy tax credits you can claim in 2009.

By Dan Shapley

When Congress passed the financial bailout bill late last year, it included a range of federal tax credits and cash gifts for businesses -- but also a suite of new and renewed tax credits for individuals who want to make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their home or cars. When President Obama signed the economic stimulus bill in February, the federal government expanded and extended some of those credits. READ MORE....

From http://www.thedailygreen.com/

Green Interior Design in Greenwich

A GREENWICH DESIGN TEAM CRAFTS A SECOND HOME TO REFLECT ITS ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS RESIDENT

I call it my 'out-of-body experience,'" says Fairfield County resident Rhonda Sherwood of one of the most memorable years of her life. "I built a house, fully decorated the house and started a non-profit organization, all while simultaneously raising three kids. It was such a great feeling."

The whirlwind experience began fall 2007 when Sherwood, a longtime environmental health activist, began planning a benefit for Mount Sinai's Children's Environmental Health Center, where she is chairman of the board. The center was founded by pediatrician Dr. Philip Landrigan, who studies toxins in the environment and their effects on children's health.

As Sherwood began recruiting like-minded green individuals to work on the organization's first fundraiser, she also began interviewing interior designers for her family's second home on Long Island. After a dozen interviews left her emptyhanded....READ MORE

By Mollie Magill for Connecticut Cottages and Gardens www.ctcandg.com
Produced and styled by Corey Grant Tippin
Photographs by John Gruen

Green Oscars?

Which Movies Deserve Green Oscars?

The Academy Awards ceremony isn't very green this year, as this week's Zaproot video news roundup shows. See the Video http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/community-news/oscars-green-55021901?src=wid_igog

How Green Are Your Windows?

It really makes me smile when I see forward thinking companies adopt policies about going green in the workplace. Imagine my glee when I find such a company and the products they represent and/or manufacture are for the green consumer as well. (I would put a smiley face here but it feels too corney.) And……the green products they make are for the HOME.

Decorating With Fabric Contract, serving the Tri-State’s window covering and upholstery needs, has gone green on many levels. They have converted their facilities and are now New York’s first “green” workroom. Using organic cotton products and natural latex rubber in their processes, they have given up the use of vinyl bags, adhesive spray glue, polyurethane foam and Dacron polyester. They have also adopted methods of recycling the waste from their fabrication and installations as well as recycling client’s old window treatments. Go DWFC!

What they manufacture is not only beautiful but green as well. You have to check out their organic drapery created with sustainable silk. Or what about F.R.E.S.H. fabric choices made from synthetic yarns made from 100% pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled products. They also have EcoSmart Cellular Shades in a wide array of colors. These are shades that are double cell constructed and they can keep your rooms warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. EcoSmart shades are great looking, energy saving and environmentally friendly choices.

I have taken the liberty of putting their “Mission Statement” below. It is worth reading

“Mission Statement:

Decorating with Fabric is dedicated toward the efforts of creating a living & working environment that is energy efficient, healthy and productive. We are also aware of our own footprint in the design, creation and installation of our treatments and strive to provide Sustainable Solutions that protect the environment.” www.dwfcontract.com

Congratulations to Decorating With Fabric Contract for their forward thinking business plan. Please check them out at:

http://www.dwfcontract.com/green-window.html-0

Homebuyers Go Green to Cut Bills

In an attempt to boost sales in a dismal market, homebuilders are turning to what has been one of the most overlooked aspects of a house: improving the way it uses energy.

While the sales results are mixed so far, industry experts say the move could eventually boost business as more cost-conscious consumers seek to save on rising power bills by having a more efficient home. Already, builder Kevin Enyeart, in Lee Springs, Mo., says he has picked up two contracts and possibly a third over the past six months to sell homes to buyers who specifically requested energy-saving features, such as better insulation and tighter-fitting windows. That's rare good news in a market Mr. Enyeart says is so bad that he has had to cut the number of homes he builds to about 20 a year from 40. READ MORE:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123439855114975189.html