Realtor ®-The Woodlands Real Estate

Did you know that there was a America Recycles Day?  On November 15th every year the National Recycling Coalition hosts this event.  This will be the 10th year that Americans across the nation get together to Recycle and Purchase Recycled Products.  Not only that, they learn the benefits of it. 

There is some amazing information on their website about what kind of products are made of recycled products.  A few are Surfboards, T-shirts, Marbles, Bikes...the list goes on. 

They also a website set up where you can send FREE E-Cards to people you know to remind them of them of the event.

So, what are you doing on November 15th?  I have a few containers of stuff that I need to take to the recycling center, maybe I'll wait until then.  :)

For information on Recycling Centers in the Spring and Woodlands Area, you can visit a previous post of mine:

How GREEN Is The Woodlands

What is that sound?  AH, I think it is the Winds of Change and Growth for Green and Sustainable Home Building in Houston, Tx!  Read through this and let me know if you think this is the case...

Houston has always been known as a hub for Energy and Oil companies.  We have companies with offices here from all over the world.  Well, on October 4, 2007- Mayor Bill White made a statement in regards to the City making efforts to be more Energy Efficient.  He states that they will be using LED Traffic Lights, Energy Star Vending Machines, and many other avenues to save "over $34,000 a year in electricity costs and reduce annual CO 2 emissions by 277 tons." 

He then went on to state that "...Our goal is to make Houston the energy conservation capital of the world. It makes good business sense.."   and he hopes that other Businesses in Houston will follow. 

To read my prediction and personal request to Mayor White,  you can read the rest of the story at:

Turning Houston Green

I have had the amazing opportunity to be part of a committee the past month that has reviewed a proposed Green Building Guideline for the National Association of Home Builders.  It is quite extensive and really raises the bar for builders around the nation. 

One of the main points throughout the document was to reduce the waste by builders during construction.  How?

I have heard builders in the area that have tried hiring a wood chipper for waste, but they end up with more wood chips than they can use.  There are multiple products available for construction that are made of recycled wood, one of which being I-Beams, so this got me to thinking.   ***Here we go again.  :) *****

Obviously there is money to be made with recycled wood and reduced waste on construction sites.  We see recycled content everywhere now. How can we make this work?  Here is my idea in its infant stage.  I'm hoping some of my Green/Eco Friends can help me finish this out.

Cities across the nation are going to asked in February to adopt these Green Building Guidelines from the NAHB.  There will be multiple builders that will need a way to reduce waste, not just one or two.  Not just Custom Home builders...but Production Builders also.

So, if this will be a city wide issue, why doesn't the city get involved?  How can the city help? 

There are recycling centers in many cities nationwide for general consumers.  What about for businesses such as builders?  It would be a potentially huge undertaking, but there is money to be made here also.  What if cities joined with local suppliers of Recycled Materials?  Seems like a Win-Win....Win-Win...Ok, you get the point.

So, how could we make this work Nationwide?  How could we get Cities involved with little cost to help out these builders reduce waste and Recycle?  In turn, possibly help the cost of Sustainable and Green homes.

There are not enough words to describe how Gorgeous and Special this home is.  This Single Story home is a popular Pulte Floorplan built in 1996 and has Udates/Upgrades Galore.

When you walk in, the extensive Ceramic Tile and Laminate Wood Floors are Breathtaking.  The open floorplan is inviting and cozy.  With 3 bedrooms, 2 Bathroom, 2 Formals AND a Study-you will have plenty of room. 

The Kitchen and Breakfast Area open to the Family Room and have Amazing Granite Countertops and Tile Backsplash and Windows that allow plenty of Natural Sunlight.

The Master Bedroom is Large enough for all of your furniture AND Big Screen TV if you wish.  The Master Bath has a Separate Tub and Shower with His/Hers sinks and a Walk In Closet.

One item you may not notice right off is the Indoor/Outdoor Speaker System for whole house enjoyment and Entertaining.  The BackYard is like a Paradise with Loads of Landscaping around the In Ground Pool and Walking Paths to make you feel Private and Secluded-Right in the Heart of The Woodlands.

The home has 2 A/C's and Furnaces for Energy Efficiency, Trayed Ceilings in many of the rooms, and ALL 4 sides are Brick!

If you were to look up Pride of Ownership and Move In Ready home in the Dictionary, it would be this Home right here.

Here are some more photos for you to Enjoy:

For a Closer Look, view the Virtual Tour Below:

This Single Story home in Fox Run would be an excellent place to call home for the Holidays.  You will notice Pride of Ownership as soon as you walk inside!

The first upgrade you see will be the extensive Laminate Wood Floors and Crown Moulding.  The large Living Room is the perfect spot for Entertaining guests.  If you decide to Barbeque, take them outside to your Covered and Screened Patio out back! 

In the kitchen you have plenty of room, Ceramic Tile, Gas Oven and Range and Eat-In Breakfast Area.  The Oversized Utility Room with Shelves is great for Organization. 

You will also notice a Split Floorplan with the Master Bedroom on the other side of the home from the Secondary Bedrooms.  The Master has a Walk In Closet and Separate Tub/Shower in the Master Bath.  All of the Bedrooms  have Laminate Wood Floors except for one that is currently used as a Study. 

28715 Binefield is a Perfect size for the Growing Family.  Don't forget about the Sprinkler System in the Front Yard!

Here are some more Photos of the Home:

On top of being a fabulous home and close to The Woodlands Mall, you are also only 2 miles from Hardy Toll Road and also close to I-45 for an easy commute to work. 

For a Closer Look, View the Virtual Tour Below:

For Blog Action Day I debated myself about what to write.  I have written several posts on environmental topics and my thoughts seem to have run dry at the moment.  I would bet that there are several blogs written about Global Warming and what everyone should do to slow it down or counteract greenhouse gases.  There will probably several bloggers referring to Al Gore and his movie.

However, in a recent post I discussed how a different approach should be made toward environmental topics.  I believe that all of the hype and controversy of Global Warming have shut the door on some people and made some lose sight of what Environmental Topics are really all about. 

So, let's forget about Global Warming for a moment.  The topic of my post is that it just makes sense. 

Let's consider Renewable Energy.  Many people around the World are starting to utilize Solar and Wind for Electricity and GeoThermal for A/C and Heat along with other sources for both.  How fantastic is it that we have found a way to use what is given to us freely for what has become our necessities?  Instead of using coal which is mined, we pay for, and that in turn negatively affects the Environment in more ways than one-we can use the free sun, free wind and the ground's free natural cooling and heating.  You can even sign on to get electricity from companies that use Renewable Energy for your service at a comparable rate as coal.  As technology takes us closer to using these at a reasonable cost, it just makes sense.

Energy Efficient and Healthier Homes-  Let's think about Low VOC paints and glues, High Efficient HVAC systems combined with the tighter construction of homes, Double/Triple Pane windows, and so on.  All of these lead to a healthier level of indoor air quality and lower utility bills.  This means allergy and asthma sufferers can lead a better quality of life, rates of cancer and other diseases would be expected to decline and not only that, you can save a significant amount of money on utility bills.  These homes, as a system, are in the end better for the environment as well.  Why not reap the benefits of healthier and energy efficient homes?  It just makes sense.

Locally Grown Organic Fruits and Vegetables-  I remember as a child going across town to the Farmer's Market where we could choose our fruit.  It tasted so much better than what we could get in the store, not to mention the price was less.  It was always the highlight of my week to go there.  How does this help the environment?  So many ways.  Consider the fuel and shipping from across the nation or out of the country, consider the fertilizers used in large crops that cause a domino effect whether it is when we eat it or when it rains and goes downstream.  Why don't we support our local farmers?  Instead of buying fruit that was picked before it was ready, buy local to get it fresh and cheaper?   It just makes sense.

My list of how going green should just be common sense could also go on and on.  Conservation of water, cutting down trees that everyone loves to live around, etc.  It can be related to every aspect of Environmental issues.  No one needs to change overnight, no one really needs to be told how many squares of toilet paper to use.  Let's just remember what Stewardship means and make an effort to be better.  Let's turn around our approach for Eco issues.  Instead of weighing heavily on the negative aspects of our current lifestyle, let's explain how changing and using new technology can benefit everyone. 

This is Part 3 of 3 in the Houston Solar Home Tour 2007 Series.

The 5th and final home that we made it to was quite a hike to Rosharon but it was worth it!  We got a little lost and I got to see the Brazos River for the first time which was neat. 

This home was the first that I have seen with an Energy Star "cool roof" that is light in color and has highly reflective granules on it.  It was also the first home that I have seen with Structural Insulated Panels and it was designed Passive Solar.  There is a whole crew of contractors working on this home, and doing a fantastic job! 

The stained concrete floors were shining as we walked inside and right away we noticed the extensive covered patios along the back of the home.  The homeowners chose a water based No VOC paint to help with indoor air quality and also have a 15 SEER a/c system and advance air filtration system.  There will also be a Rainwater Harvesting system for landscaping.  There will be a solar hot water heater with a tankless back up and the one item that I found fascinating, the countertops and interior doors are reused from homes that were demolished!  Kudos for that!  The homeowners are considering a wind generation system in the future.

It was a very relaxing evening as I visited with some people with the Houston Renewable Energy Group and with Newpoint Energy.  We had a great discussion while we enjoyed the relaxing, quiet atmosphere.

I would also like to Thank the homeowner's for a fantastic Chili Picnic!  Thank You! 

Thank you also to all of the other homeowners that allowed everyone through their homes to learn about Renewable Energy and Green Building.  It is much appreciated!

Thank you also to the volunteers from the Houston Renewable Energy Group that spent their day helping with information and greeting everyone. 

Here are some of the other contractors involved with websites that I could find:

• Harvest Solar Energy
• Permaculture Design
• Rainwater Harvesting of Texas
• Aircool

If you would like to view Part's 1 and 2, the links are below:

• Houston Solar Home Tour Part 1
• Houston Solar Home Tour Part 2

Here is Part 2 of 3 in the Houston Solar Home Tour Series.  Part 1 can be viewed here.

The 3rd stop on our tour was the Saint Catherine's Montessori School.  If I am not mistaken, this is the first LEED Certified Private School in Texas.  As we drove it was quite breathtaking with its circular design.  We noticed right off the indigenous landscaping, fountains and gardens.  The one thing I did not know was that 100% of the supplied energy from the school comes from Renewable Energy!  Wow!

I have to say that we found the circular design inside and all of the classrooms we saw with windows to be quite relaxing.  These students are so lucky to be schooled in such a fantastic environment. 

The school prides itself in minimizing the waste during construction and using Low VOC paints and carpets which optimize the learning environment with less toxins.  Here are a few more pictures that I would like to share:

What more could promote student involvement besides their own garden, recycling stations, and pets in the classrooms?  From site to design to amenities, I have to give the school a BIG GREEN thumbs up also!

 The 4th stop on our tour was another great Contemporary which is a Passive Solar Design yet the roof was designed for solar panels in the future if the homeowner desires.  It is being constructed by Dovetail Homes and Designed by Environment Associates.  This home also was not quite complete, but getting close!  The home had quite a crowd and they were asking some great questions. 

Just driving down the street you would never guess that it was back there.  It is quietly nestled among the trees.

One of the features that made this home unique was the A/C Ducts in the Air conditioned space to maximize efficiency.  You will also see the I-Joists along the top.  Both of which will help with LEED Certification.  One of the features that attracted people was the water manifold and we learned how they were going to stain the concrete floor as opposed to using a flooring.  The countertops were also going to be concrete.

The owner talked about how they will also have Rainwater Harvesting, organic gardening and landscaping and a porous driveway.  In the picture to the right you will notice the window at the top..there are actually 3.  It is designed for when the wind blows to naturally withdraw heat.  Wow!  Some amazing details went in to this home during design and I would like to see this one next year as well.

To view the Part 1 and 3 please follow the links below:

• Houston Solar Home Tour Part 1
• Houston Solar Home Tour Part 3

I thought I would share my experience at the Houston Solar Home Tour and since it was quite a long day, I have decided to break this up in to 3 different posts.  ******

Well, even though it was a little rainy and overcast, we had a great time at the Houston Solar Home Tour.  Unfortunately I was unable to go to all of the homes but I did make it to 4 homes and Saint Catherine's Montessori School.  There were some amazing homes and most were not complete yet.  They were all at various stages of completeion and the Houston Renewable Energy Group ended the day with a fantastic picnic where the homeowners fixed up  some great Chili!  It was great seeing so many people in town interested in learning about Renewable Energy and Green Building.  Not only did all of the buildings I visited have Solar Panels, they were all designed for or already LEED Certified!  That's Great!  All of these homes were in various stages of completeion, the first one was complete.

I thought I would take you on a tour of the homes I visited just in case you missed it or were not able to go.  I will also be putting links throughout to different vendors, builders and to different sites that explain products or practices. So, house by house, here we go!

The first home on my tour was located in the Memorial area and was constructed with Insulated Concrete Forms.  It was built by Greenhaus Builders and Designed by Kathleen Carrier with Evergreen Design Studio.  Both of which stay up to date on innovative techniques and products for Sustainable and Green Building/Design. 

Walking in and around this home I saw so many green features that I believe it would be hard to list them all here.  The first thing I noticed walking up was its amazing Contemporary design and indigenous landscaping.  The photo you see to the left is the backside of the home where you will notice two sets of Solar Panels. One of those being the 3kw System, the other I will get to.

As you walk around the exterior of the home, one of the items you will notice is 3 exterior units that are part of the homes' 20 SEER A/C system with Air Filtration.  I am told that it is state of the art and about the most advanced system available.  In the attic you would find Icynene insulation at an R-Value of 40 that would help to keep it COOL, atleast cooler than you could ever imagine an attic in Houston being.  In fact, the attic is considered to be Semi-Conditioned to help the efficiency of the HVAC.  Just imagine what the heat in your attic does to your A/C ducts!

As you continue to walk around outside you will also find one of the two Tankless Rinnai Hot Water Heaters.  There is even a Solar Water heater as backup.  That is the other panel on the roof that I said I would get to.

There is so many Green Features in this home, it is amazing.  Here is a list of some of the other features that caught my eye:

• Steel siding and roof
• Energy Star Appliances
• Bamboo Flooring
• Energy Efficient Windows
• Dual Flush Toilets
• I also believe there were other floorings, but I could be mistaken.

This first home was stunning and the most Efficient home I have ever seen.  I have to give the homeowner's a BIG GREEN thumbs up with this one!

The 2nd home on my tour was in the early stages of construction and it looks as though they are combining Active and Passive Solar on this Contemporary design.  This home will have 150kw of Solar Panels which they expect to make it completely self sufficient. 

It is at this stop that I learned a little more about Rainwater Harvesting.  This home is being built by Dovetail Builders, Inc.

Some of the Green Features of this home are:

• 4 GeoThermal HVAC Systems
• Rainwater Harvesting
• Materials with Recycled content and other manufactured materials from only sustainable sources
• Low VOC Paints

This is one home that  I would love to be on tour next year so that I could see it complete!!  I think it will be fantastic!

To view parts 2 and 3 of the series, please use the following links:

• Houston Solar Home Tour Part 2
• Houston Solar Home Tour Part 3

Dating back for many years, just about every realm of Environmental issues have been a topic of debate.   When you think about life several years ago, and still today in many countries throughout the world, we depended on the Earth to live.  We farmed for food, went fishing for dinner, and we understood that water and other natural resources were limited and to be used as needed.  Electricity and water were a luxury item.

Then with technology and new inventions coming out every day, we found out how neat it was to have cars that could take us anywhere, have appliances that ran off of electricity and gas and it seems we lost track of those luxury items.  The luxury items of electricity, water and gas are now a necessity.  Can you imagine ONE day without the 3 of these?  I can't. 

I was thinking today as I was driving, it seems as though there has been an Environmental Disconnect in people over the past several years.  It seems as though a general care and concern for Conservation of natural resources, Preservation of land and overall Stewardship has "left the building".  How is this impacting our society? 

Jeff Geoghan made a comment on one of my posts the other day in regards to Global Warming, probably the most debated topic regarding the Environment and Earth as a whole.  He mentioned that he thinks the debate of Global Warming has people leery of all Green and Environmental issues.  I think that statement may have a lot of truth to it. 

So then I wonder-do all of the debated topics of Global Warming, Hollywood recommending how many squares of toilet paper to use, and Al Gore pushing his movie for what some people believe to be politically motivated made some people become a Rebel and not want to hear about anything Environmental?  Have Green and Environmental topics become the tag of Activists in a negative light instead of looking at the REAL reason why they should be heard and why they are important?

Now, with various types of renewable energy being a hot topic, we are seeing technology taking us a different direction.  We are learning about how we can use what is Naturally given to us (sun, wind, etc.) and make us less dependent on these luxury items.  Will all of the controversy and debate over environmental topics hurt the overall goal of Renewable Energy? 

Maybe it is time that a different approach was taken in regards to Renewable Energy, Green Building, Rainforests, and others.  Maybe while technology takes us to a level of being less dependent on fossil fuels, we should take this time to Reconnect our Environmental Disconnect.  Let's remember what it is like to have locally grown fruits and vegetables.  Let's remember that water and electricity are good, but also remember where we came from.  Let's take a few minutes and think about how using what is free and natural just "makes sense".

What do you think?  Do you think there has been an Environmental Disconnect?  After all, Global Warming is not the only issue.