Sustainable Building

Green Condo for sale

Gayle — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:11:08 +0000

We are just listing for sale a northend condo with gorgeous views and energy efficient, eco-friendly construction. We added a third floor room and rooftop deck with panoramic views, plus four other decks adding 700 square feet of living space. We air sealed and insulated to Energy Star standards. It is not officially certified only because it wasn’t new construction, but over 80% of the entire structure was taken down to the studs and retrofitted. We used only low VOC materials throughout and added an efficient, healthy electric fireplace to create healthy indoor air quality.

Affordable Green Solutions: Passive Solar Home

Gayle — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 19:03:59 +0000

An article entitled “Affordable Green Solutions” about the passive solar home planned for 35th street in Norfolk was published in this month’s Sales and Marketing Ideas published by NAHB, the National Association of Home Builders. Check it out! AffordableGreenSolutions_JulAug11_p5

The Next Step for Next Step Hampton Roads

Gayle — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 13:45:10 +0000

The Next Step Hampton Roads program has officially ended its pilot program. Rebates which were extraordinarily generous during the pilot phase to pique interest have been reduced somewhat. The rebate is now capped at $ 2,000. For example, if a job would normally cost $ 8,000, the homeowner would pay $ 6,000 and DOE will pay EcoBuilders the remaining $ 2,000.

Balancing that reduction from $ 2,500 to $ 2,000, however, the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy has announced a new rebate for energy efficiency upgrades for homeowners. DMME will pay 20% of the cost of upgrades, up to $ 595 for windows and doors and various mechanical equipment.

Available funds in both programs are being quickly reserved, so call EcoBuilders today to get a whole house assessment and let us help you save money on an Energy Efficiency Upgrade for your home!

Reducing 95% of unwelcome air leaks in a home!

Gayle — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:18:08 +0000

Each project has a blower door test done before work begins. This test shows precisely where the leaks are and also establishes the minimum air level needed for healthy indoor air. Any leaks above that minimum waste energy to heat or cool the home. If so many leaks are sealed that the minimum is exceeded, then a homeowner would need to install mechanical ventilation. [This can be as simple as installing a timer on a bathroom fan to circulate air automatically.] Rarely does air sealing an older home approach that minimum level.

Recently, however, EcoBuilders sealed a home where the minimum air needed for healthy indoor air is 2110. Our efficient team sealed all the holes, achieving 2135, reducing 95% of the unacceptable drafts in the home. The happy homeowners can feel the difference in their home. Gone are the excessively cold or hot rooms and uncomfortable drafts.

Referrals for energy efficiency upgrades!

Gayle — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 18:13:46 +0000

EcoBuilders appreciates our enthusiastic clients who refer friends to us to have energy efficiency upgrades in their homes.

To show our thanks, we are offering a $100 gift certificate to one of three Virginia Green Restaurants: Crocs on 19th street in Virginia Beach, The Boot on 21st Street in Norfolk, and Press 626 on Olney Road in Norfolk.

In addition to being among the first Virginia Green certified restaurants, each of these local gourmet restaurants uses locally grown food. Now our satisfied customers can enjoy a delicious gourmet meal and help their friends have a healthier, more comfortable home.

Croc’s Eco-Bistro features local food, globally inspired with menu samplings of relaxed, warm-weather cuisines where crocodiles dine. Skillfully prepared food and drinks reflect a seasonably S.O.L. (sustainable, organic, local) emphasis. Croc’s features produce from nearby farms and seafood fresh from local waters. Croc’s was the first Virginia Green certified restaurant in the Commonwealth, recognized for recycling, energy- and water-efficient efforts and elimination of styrofoam. Croc’s supports local musicians and include an ever-increasing number of Virginia wines on their award-winning wine list. Croc’s references itself as the original Eco-Bistro to reflect an environmental awareness coupled with an appreciation of good food, good times and good wine.

Press 626 Café & Wine Bar is dedicated to local foods and regional economies. Their menu reflects the farms and artisans who provide them with many of their delicious ingredients. Join them in supporting the Slow Food Movement. Chef Andrés emphasizes a delicious blend of social consciousness and regional foods through a celebration of taste and the senses. Press 626 procures local and organic ingredients whenever possible and is the nexus for thriving agriculture and social change. Press 626 Café and Wine Bar consistently provides customers with impeccable service by demonstrating warmth, graciousness, efficiency, knowledge, professionalism and integrity in their work.

The Boot is a local kitchen on 21st St in Norfolk’s historic Ghent neighborhood. The Boot’s menu is heavily inspired by Italian cuisine yet they work closely to establish relationships with Virginia farmers and bring the freshest ingredients of the season to the table. By getting his ingredients locally, Chef Brendan Vesey is able to explore and preserve our fine Virginia heritage food-ways. Several nights a week, the restaurant also serves as a music venue to showcase both local and traveling artists.

Next Step launches Rebates for Energy Efficiency Upgrades!

Gayle — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 22:20:13 +0000

Exciting news for homeowners from EcoBuilders! The Next Step program has launched Reserve a Rebate – an Online Rebate Reservation System for Energy Efficiency Upgrades. EcoBuilders is one of the few contractors who is sufficiently trained and knowledgeable to provide this service. Single-Family homeowners can receive an instant rebate – up to $ 2,500 - on qualified energy efficiency improvements. The Department of Energy pays the contractor only after a 15% decrease in energy use is objectively measured.

Working in the Next Step pilot program, EcoBuilders has established a reputation as the most effective air sealer in Hampton Roads. We decrease drafts in homes significantly more than the national average. Call us today to set up an appointment for a whole house assessment. Tell your friends too, as there are only a limited pool of rebates available. For more information on the Next Step program, visit our webpage on Next Step – Energy Efficient Solutions.

Check out this clip from WAVY 10 News on Friday June 3 announcing the launch of the program.

If your home is drafty, EcoBuilders can make it feel more comfortable than you ever imagined and help you save money on monthly utility bills! Call us today and start saving money!