Green Home Tour In Hendersonville

With the recent oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico serving as a giant wake-up call for the world to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, ECO (the Hendersonville-based Environmental and Conservation Organization), is sponsoring its third annual Green Home Tour to encourage energy efficient lifestyles.

The tour, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, will showcase some of the area’s finest energy efficient homes and some commercial structures.

Specially included this year is an ongoing workshop on solar panel technology by Advanced Thermal Solutions, a Hendersonville-based solar company.

A growing number of residents in Henderson County and neighboring areas are building smarter by decreasing the impact their homes have on the environment, says David Weintraub, executive director of ECO. With numerous tax incentives offered by the state and federal governments, he adds, it has become easier and much more economical to be green.

The tour will feature homes and businesses that have been designed or retrofitted to implement sustainable practices that use local materials, conserve energy, ensure healthy air quality and work in conjunction with the land.

ECO hopes the tour will enhance the understanding of the “home as a system” and how area residents can work together to achieve a more comfortable and green result.

Founded more than two decades ago, ECO has been working to educate and advocate for the protection of our land, air and water, our most precious resources.

“In years past, turning one’s brown home green was a luxury,” says Weintraub.
However in this economy when energy costs are expected to continue to skyrocket, adding green features to one’s home is an absolute necessity. ECO’s tour offers some great examples of how anyone concerned about energy costs and protecting the environment can take some positive steps forward.”

The tour will feature five green homes that showcase solar thermal, photovoltaic cells, geothermal systems and water conservation features. An ongoing solar workshop will also be offered.

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Many of these homes offer edible gardens, goat farms and other beautiful outdoor features.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.ecownc.org, at the ECO office at 121 Third Ave. W., or at the Hendersonville and Asheville Visitor’s Centers or at the ECO booth at the Southern Energy and Environment Expo (SEEEXPO).

For more information, contact ECO at 692-0385 or at www.ecownc.org.

The Green Home Tour is sponsored by the Hendersonville Home Builders Association, See Expo (www.seeexpo.org), Surya Fertilizers, Wild Birds Unlimited — Hendersonville, Green By 3, Ken Gaylord Architecture and Matthew J. Foss.

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