We are still in a drought here in North Georgia despite all of this rain.  Even if it continues to rain and we have plenty of water, these conditions could happen again so we need to be prepared.  You have 2 options for helping our region save on water.  1.  Collect rain water or grey water for reuse which helps reduce the impact on local water supplies.  2. Use devices on your home that use less water on the inside and use plants that do not require as much water (if at all) on the outside of the house.

One of the brands that we use at the Hoots Group is Kohler.  They have put together a list of all of the water rebated here in GA where you get paid to go green with water!  Visit Kohler to find out which rebates are available to you.

As part of our energy audit, we also have a water audit to show you where you can save money on water!  For more information visit Fresh World.

A few months back I blogged on how the Marine Corps and green building principles share a lot in common: Shades of Green

Last week a buddy of mine from the Corps found me on facebook and since he was in the area he came by to see me at our Eco-Showroom.  We talked about all of the Marines that we knew, what I have been doing since the Corps and his service in the Corps since then.  He did mention that he did a tour in Iraq and has been in the states for the last few years.

I have come to realize that I am fighting the same war stateside to help my Marine buddies several thousand miles away.  Every audit that we do and every house that we make more energy efficient brings us all on step closer to energy independence.

There is hope.

On this Memorial Day- what better way to remember those who have served and fallen in combat for our way of life then to go greener and make steps towards energy independence.

The few.  The proud.  The green

Happy Memorial Day

Starbucks Coffee.

Yes- I do like their coffee.  If I did not think that they could make a difference or would change I would not waste my time trying to give them suggestions.  I actively encourage their store managers to to green, but I am not too sure what influence they have on store policy.  They are also doing some things correctly.  To the left there is a picture of my son Daniel adding coffer grounds to out compost bin.  Yes- I was able to resist the temptation to stick my face in the bin to absorb the great coffee smell!

I buddy of mine pushed my to write my own post on Starbucks.  He posted a funny experience that he had a while back on his blog.  Here is his experience there.  Green to the scene blog

Let’s start out with the positives- what are they doing correctly?

1. The use recycled content sleeves on their cups
2. They let people come pick up their used grounds to use in their gardens
3. I heard that they treat their employees well and have benefits- good job!

Room for improvement:

1. Not sure if they use fair trade coffee- heard that they did not.  I did not verify yet.
2. They do not recycle their plastics in the store!  I ask them every time where to recycle and they say “We should, but they don’t.”  One store said that Waste Management actually separates the trash at the transfer station.  Not to sure if I believe them, however it is a better answer than we know better but we are too stubborn to change.
3. Green buildings?  As a green builder I am not too sure what is green about their construction.  I would love for one of my readers to tell me that they are all LEED certified.  Where is the renewable energy on the rooftops of all of the stores?

PS- if you work  for Starbucks, or know someone that works at their corporate office have them contact me to get the more in depth audit.  I will work for coffee!

Last year we were the builder of the new showcase house for the Southern Builing Show-a LEED Gold house called Ecolumina.  You can visit it at www.Ecolumina.org.  This year’s showcase home is a  green renovation to an existing historical home in the Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta.  It is renovated to EarthCraft renovation standards.  If you will attending the Southern Building Show this year there will be tours ot the house on Thursday and Friday.  Here is more information about our house:  Renew House

Now that you have successfully filed your taxes and hopefully are looking reduce your tax liability for 2009 here are some ways that “going green in GA” can help you do so. For many green upgrades such as solar hot water heaters, geothermal HVAC, insulation upgrades, and solar power- there are state and federal tax incentives. For the state of GA there is a 35% credit with a cap on each residential renewable energy system. On the federal side there is a 30% credit, and as part of the economic recovery act, there is not a cap on the tax incentives that you get from the feds. For more information on these incentives and other green rebates visit www.whyitpaystogogreen.com

Let your friends know about this as well.  Don’t keep this to yourself.

Do you see the water heater?  It is on the roof.  Looks like a skylight!  85% of this houses water will be heated by the sun!  Click here for more information.