Ways to Green the Not-So-New House
December 30th, 2009
St. James Plantation, NC Green home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share a very informative article from the U.S. Green Building Council and This Old House Magazine. The September 2009 article outlined over 30 ways to make your current home more Green and eco-friendly. The article also has a cost and benefit key to help you determine what actions are best for your home. Below are 10 of the tips and to read more, click here!
1. Battery Recycling
2. Think Globally, Act Locally
3. Dim That Bulb!
4. Paint Your Home “Green”
5. Prevent Energy-Wasting Air Leaks
6. Audit It
7. Automate It
8. Be an “Energy Star”
9. Good Day, Sunshine
10. Nix the Night Lights
Deal Preserves Poplar Grove Plantation
December 30th, 2009
New Hanover County, NC home remodeler Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share some exciting news for one of our local historic sites. WHQR 91.3 FM reported today that the owners of Poplar Grove Plantation struck a deal with the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust to ensure that the land will never be developed. Below is an excerpt from the WHQR report and to read more, click here!
“Poplar Grove Plantation secured what’s called a ‘conservation agreement’ that will protect the civil war era plantation located near the Pender-New Hanover county line.
This rapidly developing area is also home to Futch and Foy creeks. And Coastal Land Trust Director Camilla Herlevich says the Poplar Grove project will help preserve the creeks, which are some of the most pristine creeks in the region.”
Resolution Run 5K to Benefit the Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry
December 28th, 2009
Wilmington, NC home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes encourages you to get a jump-start on your New Year’s resolution by registering for the Resolution Run 5k! It begins at 11:00 am on New Year’s Day at Wrightsville Beach Park in Wrightsville Beach, NC and proceeds will benefit the Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM). Preregistration is $20 at www.active.com or you can print out the registration form on their website and mail to their office. You can also register at the race, beginning at 9:30, for $25.
The first 100 to register receive $15 gift cards to TriSports. The first 300 to register receive a WARM winter hat. Awards will be given to the Top 3 in each age group and there will be lots of door prizes!
For more information, visit WARM’s Website!
Tips for Buying Green Furniture
December 28th, 2009
Brunswick County, NC Green home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share an article from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide on how to buy Green, eco-friendly furniture. Below are the three tips and for more detailed information, click here!
1. Reuse makes good Green sense.
Recycled-content furniture is an integral part of the ecological picture because it makes great use of the unfathomable amount of waste we create each day on our little planet. Don’t discard material because it’s not natural; it’s already here, transformed from its original, natural state to the plastic (or whatever) it is now. Keeping it in the loop and reusing it is the best we can do in our existing situation. We’ve become very good at recycling, but if we don’t actually use recycled materials, they end up right back where we’ve always sent them, piled up at the dump or floating at sea.
2. Look for sustainable, nontoxic new materials.
If you buy new wood furniture, ask whether the wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which means the wood was sustainably harvested and has a documented chain of control. Other elements to consider for their health and environmental impacts include wood finishes, adhesives, batting, upholstery fabric, fire retardants, and coatings for waterproofing and soiling prevention. It may seem that there is more to bear in mind than can possibly be addressed, but most companies that are eco- or green-minded have addressed many of these issues—at least in their thinking, if not their products—and can speak intelligently with you about them.
Be aware, as well, that the decisions you make affect the people who manufacture these products and materials. Synthetic materials and adhesives that may be relatively benign by the time they make it to your home can be quite toxic during manufacturing or cultivation. For example, conventionally grown cotton represents only 6 to 10 percent of the world’s crops but uses 35 to 40 percent of the world’s pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. The cotton in most clothing is produced this way, and the same is true of linens, bedding, and upholstery fabric.
Visit Pender County, NC to See Friendly Faces and Places
December 23rd, 2009
Pender County, NC custom home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes encourages our readers to discover what Pender County, NC has to offer! The Pender County Government’s website is full of information like what to do, where to eat, where to stay, events and videos to help you further explore Pender County!
Visit www.VisitPender.com to see all of this including an interactive map. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook and request visitor information.
HOA Newsletter Baker's Dozen
December 23rd, 2009
St. James Plantation, NC new home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share a recent article by RealtyTimes.com’s Richard Thompson addressing how to best utilize Homeowners Association newsletters. If a newsletter is the most efficient way for your HOA to correspond, then these tricks are sure to help you in 2010! Below is the list Thompson compiled and to read the complete article, click here!
1. Keep Articles Short.
2. Include Good Stories.
3. Put “Hook” into Your Headlines.
4. Stick to the Facts.
5. Lead with Power.
6. Proofread.
7. Use Photographs.
8. Share the Good News.
9. Standardize Your Look.
10. Use White Space.
11. Use a Readable Typeface.
12. Humorize.
13. Post It Online.
For more innovative homeowner association management strategies, see www.Regenesis.net.
Creating a Green Kitchen: From Resource Planning to Maintenance
December 23rd, 2009
Pender County, NC home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes has enjoyed blogging the past year on our LEED Platinum Green home in Wilmington, NC, the Green features we incorporated in the home, and other Green options available to homeowners. With that in mind, we’d like to share an article from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide that covers nearly every aspect of creating a Green kitchen. The following information is covered and to read the complete article, click here!
DESIGN FOR REDUCED RESOURCE USE
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Refrigerators
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Dishwashers
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Lighting
DESIGN FOR IMPROVED INDOOR ENVIRONMENT
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Exhaust Hood
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Stoves
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Plumbing
BUILDING MATERIALS
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Flooring
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Cabinets
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Countertops
CONSTRUCTION AND REMODELING
MAINTENANCE AND USE
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Refrigerator
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Dishwasher
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Floors & Counters
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Exhaust Hood
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Plumbing
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Cleaning Products
What You Need to Know Before You Remodel
December 23rd, 2009
Wilmington, NC home remodeler Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share this informative article on About.com outlining what every homeowner should address before attempting a home remodel. Below are the first few steps and to click here to read more and find even more informative links!
1. Draw Your Dream – Even before you consult an architect, you can begin sketching out your ideas and imagining your remodeled home. If you are adding or expanding a room, think about how the space will be used and how the changes will affect traffic patterns. Also consider how new construction will affect the overall context of your home. An oversized addition may overwhelm your house or crowd a small lot. A simple home design software program can help you visualize your project.
2. Learn From Others – One of the best ways to get inspiration and to avoid pitfalls is to follow the experiences of other homeowners. A number of Web sites offer online chronicles of home improvement projects, along with reply forms, message boards, and chat rooms that let you ask questions and get feedback.
3. Think Ahead – Although you may dream of having a spacious new addition, the project may not make sense if you plan to sell your house in a few years. A luxury bathroom can price your house beyond the values in your neighborhood. Some projects, such as vinyl siding on a Queen Anne Victorian, will actually decrease the value of your home. Moreover, your own family’s needs may be very different in a few years. Will the plans you draw today fit your future?
Courtesy of Jackie Craven, About.com Guide
Discover All that Brunswick County, NC Has to Offer!
December 23rd, 2009
St. James Plantation, NC custom home builder would like you to discover the attractions, events, activities and more that Brunswick County, NC islands and towns have to offer you. From pristine beaches to exciting wildlife, Brunswick County, NC is a beautiful place to both vacation and live. Visit www.NCBrunswick.com for information on what to do in Bald Head Island, Southport, Ocean Isle Beach and more and while you’re there, request a Vacation Guide!
Courtesy of the Brunsick County Tourism Development Authority
South Brunswick High School Wins Solar Panels through SunSense Schools Program
December 23rd, 2009
Brunswick County NC, new home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share exciting news for South Brunswick High School. The Southport, NC high school was among one of the five winning schools in the Carolinas to receive solar photovoltaic panels from Progress Energy’s SunSense Schools Program. Below is an excerpt from the Cape Fear Business News, and to read the complete article, click here!
“SunSense schools is a hands-on educational program for middle school and high school students that encourages them to develop innovative energy solutions. The solar demonstration array will be connected to the school’s electrical system and to Internet monitoring equipment, so students can view the panels’ real-time electricity production. Educational materials will also be provided to teachers to help South Brunswick High School integrate renewable energy learning opportunities into the classroom.
‘We are proud to partner with the Carolina Hurricanes to provide South Brunswick High School with this unique, powerful tool for learning about the practical applications of solar energy,’ said Ben Waldrep, vice president of Progress Energy’s Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport. ‘The enthusiasm for energy education from teachers and students across the region is encouraging for the future of alternative energy. I want to congratulate South Brunswick High and thank all of the schools who participated in the program.’
Funding for the program was provided through grants from the Progress Energy Foundation and the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ’N Community Foundation, which is affiliated with the National Hockey League team. The systems will be installed by Argand Solar, a North Carolina-based renewable energy company.”
