ECO, the Environmental and Conservation Organization, will hold its third annual Green Home Tour on Saturday August 21featuring some of the finest green homes in the region. This year's special featureincludes green homes in the city and the country that reflect the low energy lifestyle thatmore WNCers are striving for. According to David Weintraub, ECO Executive Director,
"In years past, turning ones brown home green was a luxury. However in this economy when energy costs are expected to continue to skyrocket, adding green features to ones home is an absolute necessity. ECO's tour offers some great examples of how anyoneconcerned about energy costs and protecting the environment can take some positivesteps forward."
Besides featuring five green homes that showcase solar thermal, photovoltaic cells,geothermal systems and water conservation features, the tour this year will include anongoing solar workshop offering hands on practical experience for anyone interested in how solar hot water and electricity works, and what energy savings one can expect. The workshop will offer an opportunity to learn how solar can work for you in your home.
Finally, many of these homes offer edible gardens, goat farms, or other beautiful outdoor features.A growing number of residents in our area are building smarter by decreasing the impacttheir homes have on the environment. With numerous tax incentives offered by the State and Federal Government, it has become easier and much more economical to be green.The tour will include both new homes as well as older homes that have been retrofitted.
All homes were designed or redesigned with sustainable practices in mind which includesutilizing local materials, conserving energy, ensuring healthy air quality, and working inconjunction with the land. The tour hopes to further the understanding of the “home as asystem” working together to achieve a more comfortable and green result. Founded over two decades ago, ECO has since been working to educate and advocate for the protectionof our land, air and water, our most precious resources.
The Green Building Tour is scheduled from 10-4 on Saturday, August 21 st . Tickets may
be purchased online at www.ecownc.org, at the ECO office at 121 Third Ave West,
Hendersonville, NC 28792 or at the Hendersonville and Asheville Visitor’s Centers or or
at the ECO booth at the Southern Energy and Environment Expo (SEEEXPO).
For more information, contact ECO at (828) 6920385 or at www.ecowncorg. The Green Home
