A Greener Way..

When I moved to Asheville to pursue Green Building my timing couldn't have been better. Two weeks after my arrival I noticed the Western NC Green Building Council was offering a green home tour. I chose to take part in the tour by riding my bike to the properties on the tour and as far as I know I was the only one taking part in tour by alternative means. I toured several progressive homes and also got to talk with several Realtors who pointed me in the direction of Ecohouse Realty which I now call home.

I would be willing to bet that I spend more time getting from A- B via bicycle than any other real estate agent in Asheville. I have an intimate knowledge of the streets and the green properties in the downtown area so it would only be fitting that I pull together my knowledge of Real Estate and Green Building and experience on a bicycle and host another unique event.

Press Release..

WNC Green Building Council presents the Many Shades of Green Property Tour

Take a bike ride through Asheville’s core neighborhoods and learn more about green building during the Many Shades of Green Property Tour on April 10th. This year, the WNC Green Building Council will offer a cycling option for the annual green property tour. The tour will include a variety of green properties and provide participants information on bicycle routes and alternative transportation options in Asheville.

Avid cyclist, Justin Mitchell with Ecohouse / Dwell Realty, will lead a tour of seven properties ranging from a commercial green rehab to the first passive hempcrete home built in the country. Green building professionals will be available at select properties to answer questions and provide information about green features and construction methods.

The tour will originate at Biowheels Bike Shop and visit properties in the Downtown, North and West Asheville areas. The ride will be approximately ten miles in total distance and due to the hilly nature of the Asheville landscape a moderate fitness level is suggested and helmets are required.

Time: 12:00 – 5:00
Cost: Free
Start: Biowheels: 81 Coxe Ave. Presentation at 12:00. Ride begins at 12:30.
Finish: Biowheels: 81 Coxe Ave. 5:00

Reception to follow at Biowheels with refreshments & light appetizers.

For general information or to register for the tour visit www.wncgbc.org.

For specific questions pertaining to the bike tour contact Justin Mitchell with Ecohouse / Dwell Realty at Justin@justinasheville.com or 828.713.9400.

Here are a few of the homes that will be featured on this years bike tour.

The Nauhaus - "Prototype House Becomes First Passive “Hemcrete” Home in the World. The material, called Tradical Hemcrete, is made from waste hemp shiv and a lime-based binder. Designers from NHI have opted to pursue Passive House Certification which would make the house not only one of the first ten certified in the US but also the first Passive House hemp home in the world."

Possibly the 1st LEED cert. home in AVL! (certification pending) Truly innovative Healthy-Built home featuring steel and SIP construction. Modern style incorporates passive solar design for serious energy efficiency/money savings. Solar panel awnings shade interior & produce hot water. All appliances included (Energy Star), Icynene, no VOC paints, rainwater harvesting & more.

Cool green built, west-coast style courtyard cottage community in walkable West Asheville. Cottages surround a central patio & are HealthyBuilt Silver and Energy Star. Green features include solar panels, radiant heated floors.

Trend setting, Healthy Home built, affordable downtown residence- views of the river. Prewired for Solar PV or water heating, bamboo floors, gas fireplace, back deck front patio, urban infill at its best. The first of 6 contemporary healthy built Urban "dwellings" in Chicken Hill

The Springtime Cottage. One of the more efficient homes built in Asheville. EcoPanels SIPS construction all but eliminates thermal breaks. Thermosiphon solar H2O, passive design, energy monitor, ERV. Concrete countertops, custom cabinets. One of best blower door tests in history of NC. Projected to use just over 25% energy of code built home of the same size.

So as you can see this ride should be informative and fun. Since I am a sponsored bike racer with Pisgah Brewing Company you know there will be some good beer and the post ride gathering at Biowheels should offer some good food as well. Come and meet new people and learn something new as well. Hope to see you on April 10th.

Justin Mitchell

Ecohouse / Dwell Realty

828.713.9400

The Sun will come out tomorrow..

As I sit at my desk watching snow accumulate on the trees I am once again amazed by the winter weather we have been experiencing this year. It seems as though the world at large is experiencing a volatile climate referring to both weather and the economy. As unpredictable as both the weather and our economy seems these days, I feel as though there is only one thing we can be sure of, the sun will come out tomorrow.

In Asheville we are nationally known for many things, outdoor recreation, beer, music and the arts. After researching local alternative energy businesses I have come to find that for a city of 80,000+ we have large number of companies that realize the suns potential. The solar business is one thing that makes a lot of sense to me. The sun is most renewable resource we have and according to many theories it is only gaining strength. Solar power is only one part of the green housing movement however,I believe that solar energy will be a major player in future generations way of life. That being said there are many companies here in Asheville doing their part to encourage a movement away from nonrenewable energy sources to solar and other renewable energy.

Vanir Energy of Fletcher is making a bold move by launching the worlds largest solar heating and cooling project. The technology they use and systems they represent are amazing and I would expect to see more of this technology used in high density residential and commercial construction in the years ahead.

FLS Energy /First Light Solar of Asheville is making headlines everywhere you turn in Asheville. They recently made news with the largest solar array in the region going online, their direct connection to local neighborhoods and to ongoing community support. FLS Energy is proving that business can thrive by doing the right thing.

Sundance Power Systems has been providing solar options for 14 years in the Asheville area. The company has installed over a thousand systems in the area and offers a multitude of services for residential, commercial and municipal applications. They also work with Micro Hydro and Wind Power systems and over the years they have grown to be one of the largest renewable energy firms in the Southeast.

Solar Plus Green is the main supplier of Evacuated Tube Solar Collector to the Western North Carolina area. While this system comes at a slightly higher cost the system does seem to have certain advantages over flat plate collectors.

There are a number of smaller companies that work mainly with installation and maintenance such as Thermacraft, Sun Stuff Energy, Si Envirotec, and Solar Dynamics. So as you can see much like our extensive options we have trails, bike shops, and local beer Asheville also provides it's residence with a multitude of alternative energy options as well.

When you consider the unique financing options for a solar system offered by many of the companies listed above and the 65% tax credit (30% national, 35% state) a solar system can add value to your property, reduce your monthly expenses and your carbon footprint very easily if you are building a new home or considering upgrading your current home.

Yes, even with the cold days we have been experiencing in Asheville the sun shines down and give us it's energy to heat our water and create power. Now if it can just warm up so I can start working on my tan.

Justin Mitchell

Ecohouse / Dwell Realty
828.713.9400