Recycling Everyday Items

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. We all know this mantra of everyday living. Is it always easy?



No, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Appreciating the long term benefits-if not for yourself, for your children, nieces & nephews that are growing up with this thought process as standard operating procedure is good stewardship.


The immediate gratification you get by recycling your soda can or water bottle should send coursing endorphins to your conscience. If it doesn't, you're not alone. By taking small steps you can sometimes lose sight of the impact you ARE making.


This week sweeping the crusty snow off the "green*" decking of our Model home was a heck of a lot easier than my home's splintering deck (future project there...) and is a good example of how starting small can lead to a bigger impact.



Abode's green decking is made up of 90% Recycled materials.
Milk jugs, grocery bags, detergent bottles are things I recycle every month and the very same things that go into this composite decking along with wood construction debris.
Using a process of encapsulating wood pulp with plastic makes it stiffer, reduces thermal movement and ultimately gives the end product a beautiful color that doesn't fade, has a high resistance to mold, mildew, staining and is also a LEED Certified product.


270 million pounds of waste being used to create something beautiful, useful and ecofriendly.


To give a different perspective, imagine 36 football fields of trash each stacked 10' high-with materials normally destined for landfill!!

So, maybe I could have been admiring my old detergent or milk bottles-even parts from my own wooden deck that were recycled on Abode's snowy deck, that I easily swept on Wednesday.

I can truly appreciate how spending money wisely to begin with, gives you bigger payoff over the length of time a product will ultimately be used as it enhances your home/lifestyle and as mentioned before, makes you feel great about doing your little part for the greater good.


*MoistureShield decking is made by Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc.

Building New Hampshire Trade Show

The Building New Hampshire Trade Show & Conference is taking place November 2-4 at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH, focusing on energy efficient & sustainable building.

This is your opportunity to explore, test, and demo the latest in energy-efficient, sustainable building materials and products. This exciting three-day conference will include professional development seminars, continuing education, and certification courses for building pros. Exhibits will include products from the design phase through the completion of residential built environment.

Registration prices increase after November 1st, so call now or visit the web site to reserve your spot.

Have a Green Halloween

While planning your Halloween celebration with friends and relatives this year, consider your environmental impact, too. By choosing your costume, treats and decorations carefully, you can reduce environmental impacts from manufacturing, transportation, use and disposal. Establishing new traditions and bringing back some very simple practices from the past can save money as well as help the environment.

Costumes
•Make costumes from objects found around the house or visit a thrift store to find fun outfits and accessories.
•Try a costume swap with relatives, neighbors and friends.
•Rent a costume from a local costume store.
•Avoid plastic Halloween costumes that contain soft vinyl materials, which may present a health hazard.

Decorations
•Buy local pumpkins
•Decorate with objects found in nature or make your own out of recycled materials.
•Use old sheets to create scary ghosts.
•Take pumpkins and all-natural decor to the compost pile and return them to nature.•Store and re-use non-perishable decorations year after year.

Trick or Treat
•Walk from house to house if possible. If driving, find a central location to park and walk from there. If you wait in the car for your little goblin, turn the engine off. Idling wastes gas and pollutes the air.
•Avoid purchasing single use treat bags. Have the kids carry re-usable tote bags, old pillowcases, or even their favorite backpack instead.
•Serve organic or “fair trade” treats if available in your area.

There are many ways to celebrate this holiday while keeping the environment in mind. It might take a little more creativity, but it’s worth it!

ABODE Hosts Plymouth State Sustainability Class

ABODE recently hosted a group of students from Plymouth State University to teach them about eco-friendly and sustainable construction practices. The students are learning about Sustainability, Second Homes and the Northern Forest, which focuses on the principals of sustainability in second homes in this region along with the sociological knowledge that can be applied to encourage homeowners to reduce their environmental impacts.

During the session the students learned about energy efficient building practices, environmentally friendly building materials and sustainable development. Much of the discussion touched on the sociological factors involved in the decision making process for building a second home, from how homeowners approach energy efficient building to how the word "sustainability" takes on a different meaning for different people and situations.

ABODE is happy to be able to provide a "remote classroom" experience for these students and extremely lucky to have such a great community partner in Plymouth State University. We look forward to the next opportunity to spread the word about green building.

Green Buildings Open House Tour

The New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association will be hosting a Green Buildings Open House Tour on Saturday, October 2nd, from 10am - 4pm. This statewide event features over 65 properties from Nashua to Berlin that are using renewable energy technologies from straw bales to geothermal and everything in between.

If you are considering building an environmentally friendly home, this is a great way to speak directly to homeowners who are already enjoying the benefits of eco-friendly living. To search for energy efficient homes near you or for general information, visit http://www.nhsea.org/gboh/. Enjoy!

Choosing Paints That Don't Give Back

Painting is one of the best ways to refresh a room. Unfortunately, most paints aren’t good for us: They give off volatile organic compounds, or VOC's, which can cause short- and long-term adverse health effects. Look for paints that say “low VOC” or “zero VOC,” as well as paint strippers that are nontoxic and biodegradeable.

Most, if not all of the major brands now offer both low and zero VOC options. If you are looking for other alternatives, Green Planet Paint is an interior clay paint that covers well, Anna Sova's food grade paint has zero VOC's and 94% food ingredients and AFM SafeCoat offers a broad array of interior and exterior options that were developed specifically for people with chemical sensitivities and allergies.

There are a variety of options out there, so do your research and ask a lot of questions.

Retrofits for Non-Profit Organizations

Does your organization, or one you know, own a building that is in need of energy efficiency upgrades? Would you like to learn how to take action to lower your organization’s monthly energy bills? BrightBuilt Retrofit, a collaboration among US Green Building Council, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Green Building Advisor, and BuildingGreen, LLC, is excited to announce an energy conservation initiative open to non-profit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont that want to reduce the carbon footprint of their buildings. Through an open source, community-based process, BrightBuilt Retrofit aims to demonstrate the affordability and accessibility of deep energy retrofits in colder climates. All non-profit applicants will receive access to online resources and support for lowering energy bills; the selected organization will receive more than $100,000 in cash, loans and services to carry out the building renovations with a team of green building professionals. The application deadline is September 15, 2010.

For more information, visit: www.brightbuiltbarn.com/brightbuilt-retrofit/be-a-part-of-it/
or email retrofit@brightbuiltbarn.com.

Tips for Keeping Cool

Summer weather can bring increased energy use for keeping cool. No one wants their energy bills to rise with the temperature, and finding ways to stay cool without cranking up the air conditioner saves money – and is better for the environment.

Air conditioners require a lot of energy to operate, and generating power means more air pollution and greenhouse gases being released into the environment. This contributes to global climate change – and runs up your electric bill. To save a few bucks in the long run – and to reduce your carbon footprint – there are plenty of “green” ways to keep cool this summer.

Easy, Low Cost Solutions:
• Fans: Use fans to keep air flowing. Ceiling fans can make a room feel up to seven degrees cooler, and they use less electricity than air conditioners. A medium-sized window AC unit uses 900 watts of energy, while a ceiling fan set at high speed uses just 75 watts. By using a ceiling fan and raising your AC thermostat by just two degrees, you can lower your cooling costs by up to 14 percent.
• Window Coverings: Install window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close blinds, shades and drapes facing the sun during the day to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently.
• Heat Sources: Reduce internal heat sources by turning off lights and computers when you’re not using them. Don’t use a stove or oven to cook – microwave your meals or grill outdoors. Incandescent light bulbs also create heat, so consider replacing them with compact florescent bulbs.
• Air Conditioning: If you use central air conditioning, program your thermostat to work around your family’s summer schedule by setting the temperature higher when no one is home. When buying a new air conditioner, look for one that is an ENERGY STAR product.

Longer-Term Solutions:
• Plant Trees: We already know trees are great for the environment, but most people probably don’t realize they can also help cut cooling costs. By planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your house, you can reduce air conditioning costs in the summer by up to 30 percent, and still allow the sunlight to warm the house during the winter.
• Windows: Upgrading your windows is another cost-saving renovation to consider. If your windows are due for replacement, ENERGY STAR windows can make your home more comfortable year round.

In the car: Besides the house, the car is probably where people are most likely to crank the air conditioning to avoid a sweltering commute, but running the air conditioning works your engine harder and cuts down on fuel economy. When traveling slower than 40 mph, it’s more fuel-efficient to roll down the windows.

We’ve already seen some record breaking temperatures this summer, and while it may not be realistic to eliminate the use of air conditioners altogether to keep cool, there are options that use less energy and don’t raise your energy bill quite as much. So keep yourself cool while saving money — and the environment!

Room Air Conditioner Turn-In

NHsaves participants have teamed up to offer a unique opportunity for consumers to save energy and money this summer! For a limited time, NHsaves is offering a $30 incentive toward the purchase of an ENERGY STAR-qualified room air conditioners when customers turn in old & inefficient room air conditioners. Electric Utilities are offering its customers/members a chance to recycle their old air conditioners. This service is free at participating retailers, saving the fee of $5-$20 normally charged at municipal transfer stations. A special $30 rebate to be used toward the purchase of a new ENERGY STAR mode will also be provided. For more information or to find the recycling location nearest to you, click here.

NHsaves is about people in New Hampshire doing the right thing working together to save energy, reduce costs and protect the environment. NHsaves is made up of: Public Service of New Hampshire, Unitil, National Grid, and New Hampshire Electric Co-op.

Baker River Appreciation Day

Bring your friends and neighbors and join the community for the Baker River Appreciation Day on Saturday, July 10th. Special thanks to the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI), D'Acres and Community Partners for organizing the day's festivities.

The schedule of events includes:
- Baker River Clean Up and Trail Work from 10:00am – 12:30pm. Lunch provided to volunteers.
- Sunnyside Ride Farm and Solar Bike Tour of the Baker River Valley to benefit Local Foods Plymouth starting at 1:30pm. Leaving from Rumney Village, mileage choices are from 15 – 35 miles. $15 per rider; pre-registration required.
- Dinner & music at the Calmpost Café on Buffalo Road. The evening will feature local, farm-fresh dinner, area artists, natural resource education, family entertainment and the music of local bands including the Crunchy Western Boys, Black Bear Moon and the Cable Guys.

For more information, visit http://www.plymouthenergy.org/. See you there!

ABODE Recognized for Green Award

The Plymouth Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized ABODE Builders with The Green Award at the recent Annual Meeting at The Common Man Inn in Plymouth, NH. The award is given for leadership in the business community of environmental awareness. The theme of the meeting was "Going Green...What's In It for Me?" and featured keynote speaker Richard Ober, VP of Civic Leadership & Communications for the NH Charitable Foundation.

We thank the Chamber and the business community for this recognition and we're proud to be a responsible community partner.

ABODE on Cover of Cabin Life

ABODE's award-winning model home is featured on the cover of May's edition of Cabin Life Magazine. For a sneak peak, click here.

Prefabulous + Sustainable

As reported in early January, Sheri Koones' new book, Prefabulous + Sustainable, hit the shelves in April and it's getting a lot of great reviews. ABODE's award-winning model home is one of the featured homes in the book, which focuses on building and customizing affordable, energy efficient homes in an effort to inspire homeowners to consider more environmentally friendly options for their home. Check out what others are saying about Sheri's book:

USA TODAY
NY Times
Money Watch - Part 1
Money Watch - Part 2

Thanks to Sheri for spreading the word and helping to educate readers on the benefits of green production building!

ABODE Home For Sale in Concord, MA

ABODE put the finishing touches on our new green home in Concord, MA last week, just in time to host a private Friends & Neighbors Open House on Saturday. Approximately 25 families stopped by to take a sneak peek at the new house on the block. This Colonial-style home offers a ton of charm to go with a great location, with classic hardwood floors, built-in cabinetry, custom kitchen, oversized master suite and unique 3rd floor living space complementing a level lot in a private neighborhood.

For more information about purchasing this home, contact The Collaborative Companies at 617-457-3300, and be on the lookout for the next ABODE home in a neighborhood near you!

ABODE Hosts Business After Hours Event

ABODE, along with Mary Dragon Real Estate, welcomed the Plymouth business community last evening by hosting the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Over 60 area business people stopped by to meet and greet colleagues, enjoy refreshments and learn more about ABODE's award-winning building design. Guests toured our model home and learned about area real estate offerings from the sales associates at Mary Dragon.

A special thanks to Biederman's Deli for providing a delicious array of snacks and a big thank you to all of the attendees for coming out to show your support.

ABODE to Host Energy Efficiency Lecture Series

ABODE will be hosting an upcoming stop on the Energy Efficiency Ideas for Homeowners Lecture Series on Wednesday, March 31st from 4:30 - 5:30pm. Sponsored by All in the Details Interior Design, this series is geared toward educating Lakes Region homeowners about the energy efficient products and incentives available in today's marketplace. ABODE's lecture will be given by Gerald Fransen, ABODE's senior project manager and a certified green builder, and he will be focusing on the design, construction and renovation of energy efficient homes. Chris Johnson from New Hampshire Electric Co-Op will also be joining us to discuss current energy efficient utility programs available to consumers. Admission is complimentary and questions are welcomed. See you there!

PAREI ENERGY AUDITS

The Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) is offering Professional Whole House Energy Audits. The cost of the audit is $350 for members and $425 for non-members. As a PAREI Home Energy Audit participant you will receive a BPI Blower Door test that includes 1) Indoor air quality testing to determine carbon monoxide levels at appliances, 2) Evaluation of your home's insulation and air sealing requirements, 3) Evaluation of your home's heating system and water heating system efficiency, and 4) Energy Savings Report and Recommendations for the top five home improvements and resources for meeting those goals.

For more information or to sign up, contact Craig Cadieux, PAREI’s Energy Solutions Manager, at Craig@plymouthenergy.org. If you are not a member, you may want to consider starting with PAREI’s “Energy Assessment Planning Session." It is an introductory energy assessment house walk through (no equipment used) and is complimentary for PAREI members. To learn more about this excellent service, visit PAREI's web site at www.plymouthenergy.org.

Cabin Life Cover Story

Our good friends at Cabin Life Magazine called with some good news yesterday afternoon. As mentioned in a previous post, ABODE's award-winning model home was originally slated to appear in a featured in an article in the Going Green section of May's edition of the magazine but will now be showcased on the cover as the featured story. Thank you Cabin Life!

ABODE Featured in Professional Builder Magazine

ABODE is featured in Professional Builder this month, both in the print and on-line edition, highlighting our recent success at the Best in American Living Awards (BALA). ABODE's LEED for Homes Platinum-certified model home won the coveted national Gold Award for Best Green-Built Home and was also recognized regionally as Best in the North Atlantic Region.

BALA's expert panel of judges focused on the ability of each contestant to use green technology that more effectively integrated with quality architectural design, an approach in which ABODE specializes in. The judges also identified a handful of design trends that are influencing the architecture and marketability of new homes in this challenging market and set the bar high for the future of home building.

ABODE Model Home To Be Featured in Cabin Life Magazine

ABODE just learned that our award-winning model home will be featured in the Going Green section of Cabin Life Magazine's upcoming May 2010 edition.

Cabin Life is a national publication with over 58,000 paid subscribers and a mission to capture the essence of the vacation home lifestyle by giving readers great ideas, information and inspiration for enjoying their vacation getaways.

ABODE Chosen to Participate in Prestigious Babson College Program

ABODE was recently chosen as a participating sponsor company for the prestigious Babson College Management Consulting Field Experience (MCFE) program. Babson student teams have been consulting with Boston area businesses since 1976, analyzing and responding to problems ranging from inventory control to market penetration. MCFE sponsor companies have included Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, new ventures and privately held firms, and ABODE is very proud to have been selected. During the 12-week program, the ABODE student team has been tasked with developing a strategic marketing plan that will support ABODE's expansion into the Greater Boston region.

Babson was recently selected as the #1 school with the “Entrepreneurial Edge” by Entrepreneur Magazine and The Princeton Review. In the seventh annual survey, Babson became the first college to take the top categories for both undergraduate and graduate programs.

ABODE WINS NATIONAL DESIGN AWARD!

ABODE was a multiple winner at the Best in American Living Awards (BALA), announced yesterday during the 66th NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, NV. The BALA awards are considered the most prestigious new-home design competition in the building industry, with judging conducted by an expert panel of builders, design professionals, land planners and interior designers.

ABODE’s model home in Plymouth, NH, garnered a national Gold Award for Best Green-Built Home, a category recognizing new homes that meet green certification standards and achieve high design excellence. ABODE also took top honors in the North Atlantic Region for the same category, bringing the home’s overall award total to nine in the past twelve months.

For a link to the story on CNBC, click here.

Home Energy Savings Workshop

The Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) will be hosting a Home Energy Savings Workshop on Thursday, January 28th, from 6:45 - 9:00pm at the Pease Public Library in Plymouth, NH. This free workshop will be presented by Bob Walker of the Sustainable Energy Resource Group, and will introduce homeowners to the value of home weatherization. The workshop will include info on how simple household adjustments and modest investments can lead to significant energy savings over the long haul.

PAREI was formed in 2004 with a simple mission - to encourage energy conservation, energy efficiency practices and to promote the use of renewable energy at the residential level in the Plymouth area. The organization is comprised of over 225 local families & businesses and promotes itself through a pragmatic approach to education, community building and an increased accessibility to renewable energy.

For more information or to RSVP for the workshop, call 603-254-7924 or email weatherize@plymouthenergy.org.

ABODE is in the News Once Again

ABODE has just learned that our award-winning model home will be prominently featured in author Sheri Koones' new book titled Prefabulous + Sustainable, scheduled to hit bookstores in April 2010. Sherri's new book focuses on building and customizing affordable, energy efficient homes in an effort to inspire homeowners to consider more environmentally friendly options for their home. She does a great job of profiling homes that are true inspirations because they were built with great forethought, sensitivity and practicality. All of the homeowners, builders and architects not only considered environmental issues in building these houses, but also budgetary issues - in all cases attempting to build the houses for the least amount of money with the least amount of waste and the most efficiency. And to top it off, the foreword is written by Robert Redford himself! This is sure to be a great read.