The Takoma Park Green Building Group is sponsoring a
"Green Home Tour"
Sunday, Oct 5, 2008 - 11am - 5pm
(this is a subtour of the DC Solar Homes Tour - Oct 4 and 5 - more at www.solartour.org)
update 9.3.08 -- NOTE: More information about the green tour on Oct 5th will be posted here shortly. We're finishing the map and descriptions of about 10-15 homes, and several other green points of interest in the Takoma Park area. If you're visiting early please use the "contact us" page to send us an email. We'll keep you updated when the tour map and guide are ready.
NOTE THIS IS A PREVIEW MAP ONLY -- full details coming soon.
NOTE THIS IS A PREVIEW MAP ONLY -- full details coming soon.
Come explore a wide range of energy saving and green construction in Takoma Park homes -- from small-scale energy efficiency retrofits, to green additions to new construction. Also see gardens with bio-retention systems, rain gardens, wildlife habitats and native plants. The focus of the tour is to demonstrate changes everyone can make in their homes and yards, especially as it relates to saving energy.
Some examples of features that will be highlighted: (with energy efficiency as the theme)
- demonstration energy audit (with blower door test)
- insulation (various types and places)
- air seal up (fixing drafts and leaks)
- efficient appliances
- efficient heating/cooling systems
- efficient lighting
- efficient windows
- historic district solutions (re: windows, radiators, etc)
- solar: hotwater/photvoltaics/passive design
- alternative energy for heating, etc - biodiesel, corn, other?
- alternative designs (small, efficient, strawbale, SIPs)
- green materials (FSC, sustainable, recycled, salvage, non-toxic)
- green roofs
- native landscaping
- well-behaved, sustainable plants
- rain barrels/gardens
- permeable driveways
- wildlife habitat
- and more...
thank you!
satjiwan, bill, barbara
PS. We're building a directory of green homes in the DC area. If you would like to be included in the directory (and possibly considered for future tours), please
contact us. Include contact information and a short description of the location and green features of your home (in progress projects welcome).
Before "going solar" be sure to check out these energy efficiency resources first. You'll get a bigger bang for your buck and then maybe be able to add (a smaller) solar system on top of it.
OTHER LOCAL GREEN HOME RESOURCES:
The Takoma Park Green Building Group sponsored a presentation on home energy audits and an in-person demonstration energy audit with blower door test.
Energy costs are skyrocketing. The climate is under serious threat.
What can you do now to reduce your costs and your carbon footprint?
Find the most cost-effective energy-efficiency improvements you can make, often paying for themselves in 5-10 years. Learn to detect air leaks, where insulation is missing, and other sources of energy loss. (Or consider hiring a professional to do it for you.)
Energy Audit Programs:
See Sat Jiwan's article in Takoma/Silver Spring Voice, on page 22 and 23 of the March 08 issue:
There are other programs, too. To find more, do an internet search for: home energy audit or home energy inspection.
Solar (and other) Resources:
Maryland, DC, Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association - (lists local member contractors and info on local incentives):
http://www.mdv-seia.org/
DSIRE: Best site for regularly updated info of regional, state and federal renewable and efficiency incentives:
http://www.dsireusa.org/